annual report 2007 - Kentucky Exposition Center

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entucky state fair 8 Claiming the spot as the oldest show owned by the Kentucky State Fair Board, the Kentucky State Fair continues to bring quality entertainment and competition to the Commonwealth. The nation’s largest indoor fair welcomed visitors from across the region to savor the history, heritage and culture of Kentucky, August 16-26, 2007. In addition to the competitions, concerts, cuisine and other traditional favorites, the fair also offered an impressive slate of new entertainment – everything from a giant roving robot to awesome acrobats and life-size balloon creations to a tightrope walking tiger. But the boundless entertainment, stiff competition and scrumptious fair foods could not compete with the record breaking heat that plagued the state during the event. Temperatures soared to the highest on record during the fair, causing attendance (589,364) to fall below 600,000 for the first time in 19 years. Fortunately, the state fair’s attendance is not the single defining factor of the event’s success. Despite the record heat, many people came out in droves to enjoy all that the fair offered, contributing to the fair’s success: Concert Ticket Sales Concert ticket sales increased to $1.8 million – a 6 percent jump over 2006. This was highlighted by the largest grossing concert in the fair’s history – Def Leppard with Styx and Foreigner – which attracted more than 14,000 fans to Freedom Hall on the last night of the fair. 4-H & FFA Sale of Champions Sale The 4-H & FFA Sale of Champions achieved record sales ($121,600) with seven of the eight animals setting individual sales records and the eighth animal tying the previous record. Kentucky State Fair Sponsorship Revenue 2004 $546,540 2005 $577,285 2006 $629,465 2007 $693,615 Kentucky State Fair Concert Ticket Sales 2004 1,309,035 2005 1,710,210 2006 1,685,434 2007 1,798,260 Competitive Entries The competitive departments brought 62,002 entries, the second largest total in the fair’s history. This was aided by the increase in both livestock (12,889) and horse show (11,989) entries. American Red Cross Blood Drive The fair’s first indoor American Red Cross Blood Drive attracted 192 new donors and resulted in the collection of 340 units of blood, enough blood to save more than 1,000 lives. World’s Championship Horse Show The number of World’s Championship Horse Show tickets purchased increased nearly 8 percent in 2007 to 33,473, resulting in $478,144 in sales. Sponsorship Revenue Sponsorship revenue soared to the largest total in the fair’s history ($693,615), a 10 percent increase over 2006, which had a 9 percent increase over 2005. Estimated Media Coverage Value Through a combination of public relations and advertising efforts, Kentucky State Fair newspaper and television media coverage exceeded a value of $2 million, a 14% increase over 2006 and the second largest sum in the fair’s history. Thrillway Ticket Sales An additional promotional wristband day increased thrillway wristband sales 56 percent over 2006. However, with fairgoers purchasing wristbands instead of tickets, the promotions had an adverse effect on ticket sales, which experienced a 31 percent decline.
National Farm Machinery show 9 Since the National Farm Machinery Show first called the Kentucky Exposition Center home in 1966, it has grown into the largest indoor farm show in the nation, attracting nearly 800 exhibitors and more than 300,000 visitors annually. The massive show’s popularity simply proves one thing: the Kentucky State Fair Board has a goldmine of opportunity for many years to come. Attendees have discovered that this show is ready to equip even the most innovative farmer with the tools needed to maximize their yields and minimize their costs. The four-day show had its third largest turnout in history February 14-17, 2007 when 302,191 people flocked to Louisville for the 42nd National Farm Machinery Show, despite blizzard-like conditions in the region. Such an impressive attendance figure shows the steady growth and continued impact the event has on Kentucky and the surrounding states. In addition to the largest per day attendance of any Kentucky State Fair Board-owned event, the show also has the greatest economic impact with $21.5 million in non-resident expenditures. Attendees filled Freedom Hall each night for the rip-roaring action of the nation’s oldest indoor tractor pull, the Championship Tractor Pull, held in conjunction with the farm show. The groundpounding event left more than 74,000 fans with racing pulses when 80 dump truck loads of dirt transformed Freedom Hall into a championshiplevel track and the nation’s best drivers battled it out for a share of $200,000 in prize money and the nationally recognized title of Grand Champion. 2007 National Farm Machinery Show and Championship Tractor Pull Facts Number of Exhibitors The number of exhibitors declined slightly from 2006 (742) to 2007 (731) in the absence of the East Wing, which closed in April 2006 for demolition. Exhibitors moved from the East Wing to the slightly smaller South Wing C; however, the decreased square footage allowed for fewer exhibitors. The reconstructed East Wing, now the North Wing, and South Wing C will both be open for the 2008 farm show allowing for an increased number of exhibitors. Exhibitor Contract Revenue Despite the reduction in exhibit space, exhibitor contract revenue reached $2,656,645, the second largest amount in the event’s history. Sponsorship Revenue Sponsorship revenue reached an all-time high ($164,360), a 5 percent increase over 2006. The revenue was used to provide many free services, including: show guides, “You Are Here” maps, seminars and exhibitor lounges. Championship Tractor Pull Ticket Sales Since the 2006 Championship Tractor Pull experienced sell-out crowds, ticket prices were increased for 2007, causing sales to increase 17 percent to $2,340,485, the largest in the event’s history. Championship Tractor Pull Suite Sales Championship Tractor Pull Suite Sales also reached an all time high at $99,500, an increase of 7 percent over 2006. National Farm Machinery Show Sponsorship Revenue 2004 $149,580 2005 $153,275 2006 $156,205 2007 $164,360 Championship Tractor Pull Ticket Sales 2004 $1,738,225 2005 $1,889,770 2006 $2,008,605 2007 $2,340,485
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Page 3 and 4: letters Ernie Fletcher Governor Har
Page 5 and 6: oard members 5 Derrick Ramsey / Gov
Page 7: 7 Wolfgang Puck Express Restaurant
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Page 13 and 14: 13 • The first event of a multi-y
Page 15 and 16: 15 Kentucky state fair board FY 200

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