MEETING MINUTES August 10, :00 p.m. Bosselman Conference Center Fonner Park, Grand Island, NE

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NEBRASKA STATE FAIR BOARD Nebraska State Fair * 1811 W 2nd St, Ste 440 * PO Box 1387 * Grand Island, NE * 68803-1387 * 308-382-1620 MEETING MINUTES August 10, 2013 2:00 p.m.

n Conference Center Fonner Park, Grand Island, NE A regular mo

1 NEBRASKA STATE FAIR BOARD Nebraska State Fair * 1811 W 2nd St, Ste 440 * PO Box 1387 * Grand Island, NE * * MEETING MINUTES August 10, :00 p.m. Bosselman Conference Center Fonner Park, Grand Island, NE A regular monthly meeting of the Nebraska State Fair Board was held on Saturday, August 10, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. Public notice of this meeting was published in the July 27 & 28, 2013, issues of the Grand Island Independent newspaper and posted to the Nebraska Public meeting calendar website from July 25, 2013 to August 10, Roll call was read with the following members present: Tam Allan; Doug Brand; Chris Kircher via conference phone; Jana Kruger, Chairperson; Ed Kruse, Treasurer, Dan Kunnemann; Kathleen Lodl; Bill Marshall; Lowell Minert, Vice Chairperson; Marvin Rousey; Kirk Shane, Secretary and Kent Zeller. Others in attendance were: Joseph McDermott, Executive Director; Kelly O Brien, Administrative Assistant; Bill Angell, Livestock Superintendent; Sandy Spiehs, Livestock Assistant; Shaun Schleif, Marketing & Sponsorship Director; Jace Robinson, Marketing & Sponsorship Assistant; Chelsey Jungck, Events & Entertainment Director; Jaime Parr, Facility Director; Scott Yound, Maintenance Director; Ryan Hassebrook; Tom Bridge; Dave Buchholz, David & Associates; Dana Hilde, NSF Volunteer Coordinator. Kruger announced the meeting had been properly advertised as an open meeting and informed those in attendance of the posting location of the Open Meetings Act. Minutes of July 12, 2013 meeting There being no corrections: Motion made by Marshall to approve the minutes of the July 12, 2013, meeting as printed. Rousey seconded the motion. Upon voice vote, motion passed unanimously. July Financial Report McDermott reported total current assets of $3,223,489; payables at $187,714; total direct revenue at $1,238,349 and direct expenses $1,037,224. Motion made by Shane to approve the July Financial Report. Kunnemann seconded the motion. Upon voice vote, motion passed unanimously. 1

2 Executive Director s Report McDermott introduced Dana Hilde, Nebraska State Fair Volunteer Coordinator and asked her to give a brief report. Hilde shared that as of today, there are 800+ Volunteers signed up, 630 of those Volunteer s have registered for actual positions. Hilde mentioned that she finished the last volunteer training session that morning. There were 400+ individuals that attended the three different volunteer training sessions. Allan asked what we could do to help her out. Hilde replied to spread the word that more volunteers are needed. Allan challenged Hilde to think of other things that the State Fair Board can provide to make the volunteers experience better as they are so extremely valuable to us. Kruger thanked the staff for doing all the grounds tours that followed each of the Volunteer training sessions. McDermott then asked Parr to report on the Facilities. Parr shared that we currently have 9 spaces left in the campground with full services for the first weekend. The second weekend is full with a waiting list. There are still spots available in the Primitive Camping area. Parr shared that there are 141 Antique Tractors signed up to be on display during the fair. The Antique Tractor group is looking for participants for the Antique Tractor games. Parr also reported that the indoor Commercial space remains full. The outdoor commercial space has one 50 x 50 space open in the Ag Market place. McDermott gave an update on PETA; we are currently working with them to sign a contract. They were sent a contract and have returned it with terms they would like to see changed in our Rules & Regulations. We have replied that if they want to be a part of our Fair, they will have to sign the contract as is. McDermott also mentioned that PETA is proposing to show a new video it is much more offensive than what they were originally going to show. McDermott still expects them to be part of the fair in which they will be located in the East Entertainment Area. Parr continued that concessions are going well. There is a brand new awesome trailer coming in that will be serving Outlaw Fries and much more. They will be located in Food Pod 5. Allan asked if we are doing a fair food press release. Schleif replied that we have already done one. Parr continued that new this year will be the Event Tent located in Swine Park. Corporations can book the tent to have company picnics, meetings, etc. A local company has rented the tent all day on Saturday, August 24 and is bringing their employees and their families to enjoy the day. This is what we had envisioned for the Event Tent. Parr also mentioned that we have the Outstanding Exhibitor contest during the fair and asked that Board members be a part of that. It takes at least an hour. Parr mentioned that the vendors value the Fair Board Members opinion. Marshall asked if there was additional room to put up more tents like the Event Tent. McDermott replied that it could be a possibility. Marshall then mentioned that we will see how the Event Tent goes this year, but thinks this is a great idea. McDermott mentioned we are also looking at High School Reunions and Family reunions, not just Corporations to rent the Event Tent. Marshall asked if we have contacted the Class Reunion organizers. McDermott replied that he has spoke with Buzz Douthit as their class reunion is coming to the fair this year, however they are not using the Event Tent. Minert asked if we are bringing back the Nebraska Fallen Hero s wall. Parr replied that we are. It will be located in the 4-H/FFA Building. It will be in a more high traffic location that it was last year. McDermott asked Schleif to talk about Sponsorships. Schleif reported that we have had a couple of great things happen over the last 30 days. The most recent addition to the Sponsorship lineup is 2

3 Howard Buffets, Invest an Acre Program. Schleif continued that this year has been a banner year for sponsorships. We currently have brought in $969,000 in sponsorships which is a 24% increase over Our biggest sponsors are Five Points Bank, Bristol Windows, US Cellular, Nebraska Lottery and Pinnacle Bank. McDermott asked Angell to give a report on the Livestock Department. Angell reported that the Stock Dogs and Draft Horse entries are both up this year. Angell mentioned that the Express Clydesdales will be here this year and they will be staying through Tuesday, August 27, in the Cattle Barn on display. Angell also shared that the National Beef Cattle Association (NCBA) will be here shooting some segments for the TV show, Cattlemen to Cattlemen. They have some really good people lined up to interview. They will also be going out to a local ranch on Friday to do a feature there as well. Angell shared that a lot of interest has been shown in the Cattleman s Day BBQ. During the Cattleman s Day BBQ they will feature the 125 th Anniversary of the Nebraska Cattleman s Association. Lowell apologized for not getting back to Schleif on the press release for the High School Rodeo. There seems to be a lot of confusion out there that people don t know what is going on Monday, September 2. We need to clarify what the schedule is. Minert suggested doing a follow up press release that the High School Rodeo starts at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, September 2. Schleif commented that the press release that went out showed 9:00 a.m. as the start time and listed the events that happen throughout the day. McDermott mentioned that the Emergency Action Plan meeting will be held, Wednesday, August 21 at 8:00 a.m. in the Bosselman Conference Center. All are welcome to attend. Discussion of visits to other facilities Kruger shared that they are planning on a group of Board members to fly out to Tampa, FL, on Wednesday, August 21 to visit the Florida State Fair. The same day the group will fly to Louisville, KY and spend the night there looking at their facilities. On Tuesday, August 27, another group of the Board members are also planning to go up to the Minnesota State Fair to visit their facilities. Kruger mentioned that McDermott had planned to go with them to the visits, but Wade Shows will be here Tuesday night and will be laying out their midway on Wednesday. McDermott commented that he has talked with Hugh Miner about moving the midway more south. Miner had some concerns but they worked through it. Presentation by Nebraska Building Partners The presentation was given by Lodl and Dave Buchholz with David and Associates. The overall goal is Amplifying Nebraska Agriculture s Presence in the NEBRASKA BUILDING. This is not to be just an Ag Exhibit, but an Agricultural experience. -Nebraska agriculture feeds the world Key themes include: -Economic impact of agriculture -Science and technology guide Nebraska agriculture -Importance of animal agriculture -Water quality & quantity -Stewardship -Family farmers & ranchers produce your food 3

4 Programmatic Efforts: -Teams are being formed to determine content in each of the theme areas. -Reviewing existing resources to determine what might be repurposed and what needs to be developed. Fundraising Efforts: -Goal of $5 million including an endowment for sustained support (does not include Extension Educator). -NE Corn Board -NE Wheat Board -NE Ethanol Board -Other commodity organizations -Potential Corporate partners They have also had conversations with Commodity groups to see where they might play a part. The response has been overwhelming as the Commodity groups are excited about this as they feel it is a story that needs to be told. Next steps -Continue to solicit input from NE Ag and food systems groups -Continue developing concept, content & design -Continue communicating with key stakeholders -Website/Local Media initiatives -Build the excitement and engagement The full intent is that when we meet in this room in the NEBRASKA BUILDING that it is done. Minert mentioned that early on they talked about the University putting some classroom work in the NEBRASKA BUILDING. Lodl replied that they will have a full time extension educator. Lodl shared that they are really excited about this and appreciate this type of partnership. Board Schedules / Responsibilities for the 2013 fair Kruger passed out Board schedules / Responsibilities during the 2013 Fair. Kruger mentioned that this is tentative that she will make a new one with updates. Kruger mentioned that she is hopeful that they will take them and fill in their own things as well. Committee Reports a. Facility Planning Committee Allan reported that the NEBRASKA Building is not going up as quickly as we expected. The reason is because Chief finished the steel for the building so early and we were still making changes to the building, etc. Chief now has to do some retro fitting. Allan also mentioned that he requested a hospital size elevator and they put in the wrong one and had to redo the elevator. The aquarium space is pending as we are waiting to see what the Nebraska Game & Parks decide to do. Allan shared that the water project for the Cattle Tie Outs 4

5 ended up being cheaper than what was originally bid. This is due to connecting to the fire hydrants. Allan also reported that a civil engineer has developed a proposal of $8,000 to re-do the Swine Wash racks. Allan has declined that offer. They will use John McKeever s plans that he has Proposed. The air conditioning in the Fonner Park Concourse is installed and works. Allan has also had a Civil Engineer work on some of the layouts of where we would place a new equine Facility. It would be where the small white barns are. If and when a new Equine facility is built, Hugh Miner would like to get rid of all those white barns. Allan also mentioned that the Ticket Master contract is up in Allan asked about the Ground Water Guardians piece in the Family Fun Zone. McDermott replied that he will make sure that Vlcek is cleaning it up. Allan asked if there is identification to it. It was replied, that yes it is identified as a Plant Diversified Education piece. b. Historical Committee Brand reported that they met with Scott Clarke and he will come back this year to help set up the historical display in the vestibule of the Five Points Bank Arena. Brand, McDermott & Clarke met about the Historical display that is to be in the NEBRASKA Building. Brand and McDermott told Clarke that he needs to get his plans for the NEBRASKA Building to the Nebraska State Fair board for review. Brand also mentioned that the board needs to redefine the open ended contract that is currently in place with Clarke design after the 2013 fair. c. Finance Committee Kruse reported that there really isn t anything new. Just for everyone to keep in mind that we have to meet this budget. Allan commented that the City of GI wants to visit again about the water pressure on the East side of the grounds as it continues to be an issue and is a little frustrating as we are a two month tenant. Allan then shared that another issue with the City of GI is on our campground. In a City Council Meeting, it came up that we have not met our part of the agreement to finish the entire campground as we originally said we would. Allan plans to meet with Jay Vavricek and Mary Lou Brown after the fair. d. Public Affairs and Outreach Kircher reported that he has been working with McDermott and Schleif on media opportunities in the Omaha area. McDermott and Schleif will be in Lincoln on Monday, August 12 and then Omaha on Tuesday, August 13 to finish up their Media tour. They are really trying to address some of the misperceptions that are out there. Kircher mentioned that ConAgra is more than happy to provide collection bins for the reduced Gate Admission with a can of food on Labor Day. Schleif commented that the collection bins are being delivered on Monday morning. Kruger commented that it became apparent to her that we will have our One Millionth visitor this year. Kruger wants to work with Kircher and Schleif on doing something special for that person. Kruger welcomes all ideas of how to celebrate this person and what to give them. e. Livestock Advisory Committee Minert reported that he doesn t have anything new to report. Angell added that on August 22 there would be a Livestock Superintendent breakfast at Pam s Pub & Grub and all are invited to attend. 5

6 f. Opening Ceremony Jungck reported that the Opening Ceremony would be August 23 at 4:00 p.m. on the Family Fun Zone stage. The invitations have all gone out. All details are set and in place. Brand is working on lining up a band. The board members may be throwing out a Pepsi Frisbee with a ticket to the midway attached. Foundation Update Koepke not available. Other Business Kruger mentioned the 1868 Blue Ribbon Roll Out is tonight starting at 6:30 p.m. Kruse commented that he is pro-junior Livestock Auction. CO State Fair recently had a sale that grossed about $700,000. Motion made by Rousey to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Brand. Upon voice vote, motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 4:09 p.m. 6

NEBRASKA STATE FAIR BOARD Nebraska State Fair * 501 E Fonner Park Rd, Ste 200 * PO Box 1387 * Grand Island, NE * *

NEBRASKA STATE FAIR BOARD Nebraska State Fair * 501 E Fonner Park Rd, Ste 200 * PO Box 1387 * Grand Island, NE * 68802-1387 * 308-382-1620 MEETING MINUTES November 11, 2016 1:00 p.m. Holiday Inn Express