annual report 2007 - Kentucky Exposition Center
annual report 2007 - Kentucky Exposition Center
annual report 2007 - Kentucky Exposition Center
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National Farm Machinery show<br />
9<br />
Since the National Farm Machinery Show first<br />
called the <strong>Kentucky</strong> <strong>Exposition</strong> <strong>Center</strong> home<br />
in 1966, it has grown into the largest indoor<br />
farm show in the nation, attracting nearly 800<br />
exhibitors and more than 300,000 visitors<br />
<strong>annual</strong>ly. The massive show’s popularity simply<br />
proves one thing: the <strong>Kentucky</strong> State Fair Board<br />
has a goldmine of opportunity for many years to<br />
come. Attendees have discovered that this show<br />
is ready to equip even the most innovative farmer<br />
with the tools needed to maximize their yields<br />
and minimize their costs.<br />
The four-day show had its third largest turnout in<br />
history February 14-17, <strong>2007</strong> when 302,191 people<br />
flocked to Louisville for the 42nd National Farm<br />
Machinery Show, despite blizzard-like conditions<br />
in the region. Such an impressive attendance figure<br />
shows the steady growth and continued impact the<br />
event has on <strong>Kentucky</strong> and the surrounding states.<br />
In addition to the largest per day attendance of<br />
any <strong>Kentucky</strong> State Fair Board-owned event, the<br />
show also has the greatest economic impact with<br />
$21.5 million in non-resident expenditures.<br />
Attendees filled Freedom Hall each night for the<br />
rip-roaring action of the nation’s oldest indoor<br />
tractor pull, the Championship Tractor Pull, held<br />
in conjunction with the farm show. The groundpounding<br />
event left more than 74,000 fans with<br />
racing pulses when 80 dump truck loads of dirt<br />
transformed Freedom Hall into a championshiplevel<br />
track and the nation’s best drivers battled it<br />
out for a share of $200,000 in prize money and the<br />
nationally recognized title of Grand Champion.<br />
<strong>2007</strong> National Farm<br />
Machinery Show<br />
and Championship<br />
Tractor Pull Facts<br />
Number of Exhibitors<br />
The number of exhibitors declined slightly from<br />
2006 (742) to <strong>2007</strong> (731) in the absence of<br />
the East Wing, which closed in April 2006 for<br />
demolition. Exhibitors moved from the East Wing<br />
to the slightly smaller South Wing C; however,<br />
the decreased square footage allowed for fewer<br />
exhibitors. The reconstructed East Wing, now the<br />
North Wing, and South Wing C will both be open<br />
for the 2008 farm show allowing for an increased<br />
number of exhibitors.<br />
Exhibitor Contract Revenue<br />
Despite the reduction in exhibit space, exhibitor<br />
contract revenue reached $2,656,645, the second<br />
largest amount in the event’s history.<br />
Sponsorship Revenue<br />
Sponsorship revenue reached an all-time high<br />
($164,360), a 5 percent increase over 2006. The<br />
revenue was used to provide many free services,<br />
including: show guides, “You Are Here” maps,<br />
seminars and exhibitor lounges.<br />
Championship Tractor Pull Ticket Sales<br />
Since the 2006 Championship Tractor Pull<br />
experienced sell-out crowds, ticket prices were<br />
increased for <strong>2007</strong>, causing sales to increase 17<br />
percent to $2,340,485, the largest in the event’s<br />
history.<br />
Championship Tractor Pull Suite Sales<br />
Championship Tractor Pull Suite Sales also<br />
reached an all time high at $99,500, an increase of<br />
7 percent over 2006.<br />
National Farm Machinery Show<br />
Sponsorship Revenue<br />
2004 $149,580<br />
2005 $153,275<br />
2006 $156,205<br />
<strong>2007</strong> $164,360<br />
Championship Tractor Pull<br />
Ticket Sales<br />
2004 $1,738,225<br />
2005 $1,889,770<br />
2006 $2,008,605<br />
<strong>2007</strong> $2,340,485