Michigan State Fair, LLC Annual Report 2014
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Photo credit Marisa Jonna VALUE FOR STRONG FOUNDATION VALUE Photo Credit Jack and Jane VALUE THROUGH Purslow THROUGH PEOPLE PARTNERSHIP VALUE THROUGH OUR AGRICULTURE CONTENTS MISSION 3/ Our Mission 21/ Volunteers The Fifth Third Bank Michigan State Fair, now a private enterprise, continues to build and evolve based on the legacy / Message from the Manager / Community Partners and Charitable Giving 5 22 of the original Michigan State Fair, which debuted in Detroit in 6/ Success by the Numbers 24/ Distinguished Achievement Awards 1849. It was one of the fi rst statewide fair events to take place in the United States. 8/ Message from the Director 26/ Contest Central The Fair moved permanently to its home at the Michigan State Fairgrounds 9/ Detroit Shine Circus 28/ Social Media on Woodward Avenue in 1905 and was staged there until 2009, when it was discontinued by a resolution of the state government, due to ongoing budget 10/ Steering Committee 29/ Media Coverage issues. The 2013 Michigan State Fair was produced by a private entity, and 12/ Title Sponsor Fifth Third Bank 30/ Detroit Free Press Feast Farmers Market presented with Fifth Third Bank as the Title Sponsor. The 2014 Fifth Third 13/ Major Sponsors 31/ Kroger Michigan-Made Pavilion Bank Michigan State Fair continued the Fair’s deep commitment to the ongoing development and support of agriculture, small business and family / Reviving a Michigan Tradition / Home Arts and Agriculture 14 32 entertainment, while preserving the legacy and beloved traditions of the original 16/ Youth Scholarship Programs 34/ Fair Attractions Map State Fair. This privately produced event carries forward all of the positive aspects of past Fairs, including substantial positive economic impact, with major 18/ State Fair Superstar Talent Contest charitable and community benefi ts --with no support from the tax-payer. 19/ Community and Cultural Stage Contact us: This report is a review of highlights from the 2014 Fifth Third Bank Michigan State 20/ Livestock and Showmanship Sweepstakes 248.348.6942 Fair, Produced by The Michigan State Fair, A Private Entity LLC. [email protected] The Michigan State Fair, A Private Entity, LLC Annual Report 2014 3 Mission/ Vision / Core Values MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER MESSAGE FROM BLAIR BOWMAN, OWNER, SUBURBAN COLLECTION SHOWPLACE AND MICHIGAN STATE FAIR, LLC: Photo Credit Nancy Phares Our shared vision for a revived, modern version of the venerable Michigan State Fair took even greater form and shape this year, as the My deepest gratitude to all the stakeholders, fairgrounds at the Suburban Collection Showplace partners, steering committee members, supporters expanded by an additional 20 acres, the Fair and volunteers that make this enormous endeavor made a huge leap forward in participation by possible. The laughter and sheer delight of the Livestock and Home Arts Exhibitors, and through children who attended the State Fair this year the generous support of our partners, the Urban make the importance of our work crystal clear. and Rural Scholarship programs expanded by a 30% margin. Despite the threat of severe weather As one long-time Michigan State Fair exhibitor on two of the four days of the Fair, the event still who attended this year observed, after thanking posted a signifi cant gain in attendance, up 15% us for the effort, “Just think, there is a whole new from 2013 to 92,000 attendees, with Sunday generation creating new State Fair memories right August 31 setting a new single-day Fifth Third now, many of them are seeing the animals for the Bank Michigan State Fair attendance record of fi rst time. They won’t have any memories of 30,000 people. The Fair also re-invested more in the old State Fairgrounds, it all starts fresh its charitable giving program in 2014, returning for them here, in Novi at the Suburban more than $300,000 to community partners. Collection Showplace…these are the Michigan State Fair memories they Perhaps the most important addition to the Fifth will pass along for years to Third Bank Michigan State Fair for 2014 was our come. ” new Executive Director, Steve Masters. Steve’s deep experience in Fair management and visitor experience was evident throughout the event this summer. His ability to network and establish community partnerships will allow the Michigan State Fair, LLC to join the broader statewide Photo Credit Nancy Phares Nancy Credit Photo The Michigan State Fair, A Private Entity, dialogue about agriculture, Michigan-Made food and beverage products and nutritional literacy, LLC is now independently underwriting throughout this year, and beyond. the production costs to stage the State Fair, and offering this important community event without any cost to tax payers! The total charitable contribution to community organizations and worthy causes from the 2014 Fifth Third Bank Michigan State Fair topped $300,000! Jack and Ann Purslow – LMD Photgraphy- Nikita Cargins– Don Kincheloe –Nancy Phares Photo credit Denise Balon 4 The Michigan State Fair, A Private Entity, LLC Annual Report 2014 The Michigan State Fair, A Private Entity, LLC Annual Report 2014 5 SUCCESS BY THE INCREASE IN NUMBER OF 30% VOLUNTEERS NUMBERS compared to 2013 Fair Event INCREASE IN NUMBER OF 100% Agricultural/Home Arts Exhibits COMMERCIAL CHARITABLE compared to 2013 Fair Event VENDORS CONTRIBUTIONS credit Marisa Jonna Photo INCREASE IN NUMBER OF 145 Livestock Exhibits 179 250,000+ 82 % compared to 2013 Fair Event 300,000+ 24% 20% INCREASE INCREASE No picture is more revealing about our demographic and attendance success than the aerial photographs on the cover of our annual report, showing that we have huge crowds with ample parking. 2013 FTBMSF 2014 FTBMSF However, we have a stroller parking problem, which is in the image to the right (strollers around the Shrine Circus tent). We are committed to becoming Michigan’s IN 2014: #1 Favorite Family event! 18% INCREASE IN NUMBER OF SPONSORS compared to 2013 State Fair OVER15% ATTENDANCE INCREASE Compared TO 2013 FAIR EVENT SCHOLARSHIPS NEWLY ESTABLISHED IN 2013 WITH AN INCREASE FROM $20,000 TO $30,000 IN 2014 YOUTH URBAN AGRICULTURE YOUTH GOLD RIBBON AND $15,000 SCHOLARSHIPS + $15,000 LIVESTOCK SCHOLARSHIPS 6 The Michigan State Fair, A Private Entity, LLC Annual Report 2014 The Michigan State Fair, A Private Entity, LLC Annual Report 2014 7 MESSAGE FROM THE DETROIT SHRINERS THE DIRECTOR ORGANIZATION MESSAGE FROM STEVE 140 Years of Fellowship, 90 Years of Changing Lives - Shriner’s with Love What an action-packed few months it has been, from the time I joined the Fifth to the Rescue drivers, dentists, contractors, heads There are 22 Shriners Hospitals of state, movie stars, generals, Third Bank Michigan State Fair in March through the Fair at the end of August. for Children providing care for The Detroit Shriners are thrilled to clergymen and accountants? orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal My transition from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan has been an enormously be a part of the all new Michigan Someone might answer: “Shriners cord injuries, and cleft lip and educational, fun, rewarding and occasionally hilarious time as I absorbed State Fair. We are proud to be one are those guys who have those palate. These hospitals have helped everything about the Fair, Metro Detroit community and life in Southeast of the founding members of the parades with the wild costumes approximately 835,000 children — Michigan simultaneously this summer. My deep thanks to all who had a hand Fair in 2012 and take great pride and funny little cars.” Another might at no cost to parent or child — since in contributing to my Fifth Third Bank Michigan State Fair and Lower Michigan in returning this great event to the think of circuses and clowns. The the fi rst Shriners Hospital opened education! State of Michigan. Members of the fellow next to him might interject, in 1922. our Detroit Shriner’s Shriners serve on the Executive “No, Shriners are the guys who directly support hospitals in Erie, I continue to be amazed by the rich abundance our magnifi cent state has Committee responsible for the wear those funny hats — like Chicago and Cincinnati. We provide to offer those who reside here, north and south, and am honored, as well as oversight and operations of the fl owerpots — and have those transportation weekly for Detroit challenged, by the responsibility to re-kindle this beloved, grand old event for all Fair. We do so with the thought of big conventions.” Another adds” I area patients and families to each Michiganders to truly celebrate Michigan, moving into the future. improving the State Fair each and do know my little girl was born of these hospitals. The funds every year to provide a family fun with clubfeet and now they are raised through events like the atmosphere and a great value to straight, and she can walk, thanks There is enormous work yet to do, of course, but we made huge strides in this State Fair provide resources to our attendees. to Shriners Hospitals for Children.” Temple that enable us to carry out second annual presentation of the Fifth Third Bank Michigan State Fair. Broad This year it was our privilege to “She can walk?” questions still our mission of helping children and signifi cant increases in participation from livestock breeders and Home invite Shrine hospital kids, veterans another. “i thought the Shriners overcome terrible and disabling Art enthusiasts, more than double the number of overall exhibitors, plus the and families to attend our VIP night ran those fantastic burn hospitals. injuries and deformities, allowing invaluable addition of dedicated new partners involved in Urban and Rural as our guests. It was with great i’ve read stories about them saving them to lead productive lives.