EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE. TABLE OF CONTENTS Indiana State Fair Commission, Board & Staff 3 Executive Director’s Report 4 Indiana State Fair Foundation 5 Coliseum Renovation & Youth Arena 6 Soybean Legacy Project – The Glass Barn 8 Strategic Planning 10 2012 Indiana State Fair 12 Balance Sheet 14 Income Statements 15 Comparative Analysis 17 Revenue and Expense Graphic Representation 18 2012 Indiana State Fair 4-H Sale of Champions ISSION: MTo preserve and enhance the Indiana State Fairgrounds and the annual Indiana State Fair for the benefit of all citizens of Indiana. 2 INDIANA STATE FAIR COMMISSION 2012 INDIANA STATE FAIR COMMISSION, BOARD & STAFF COMMissiON Andre B Lacy, Chairman Beth Bechdol Joe Kelsay, Governors Representative: Director, Department of Doug Huntsinger Ted McKinney Steve Simmerman, President Agriculture Indiana State Fair Board Representative Bob Cherry, Senator James Merritt, Dana Huber Matthew Rekeweg, State Fair Legislative State Fair Legislative Advisory Committee Center for Ag Sciences & Heritage Advisory Committee Susan Hayhurst Board of Trustees COMMissiON STAff Cynthia C. Hoye, David Shaw, Justin Armstrong, Mark Anderson, Executive Director COO Director of Advancement Director of Human Resources Dave Howell, James Hamstra, Kristen Wolfred, Ray Allison, Director of Facilities & Maintenance General Counsel Director of Strategic Projects Director of Operations David Ellis, Jessie Olvera, Margaret Davidson, CFO Director of Safety & Security Chief Marketing Officer FAIR BOARD Elected District 1: Steve Simmerman, District 5: Todd Uhl, District 2: Lee Ann Eizinger, District 6: Steve Patterson, Battleground Corydon Rochester Brownsburg District 2: Bill Leininger, District 6: Jim Lankford, District 3: Jackie Bell, District 7: Al Polin, Akron Martinsville Avilla Indianapolis District 3: Patrick Barker, District 7: Thomas Gary, District 4: Bryan Messersmith, Ex Officio Members Kendallville Indianapolis Sheridan Governor Mitch Daniels Representative: Doug Huntsinger District 4: Stanley Poe, Appointed District 5: Paul Graf, Franklin Sellersburg Joe Kelsay, Director, District 1: Alan Washburn, Department of Agriculture Kentland Dr. Chuck Hibberd Indiana Cooperative Extension INDIANA STATE FAIR ADVisORY COMMITTEE Representative Representative Senator Senator Bill Ruppel Bob Bischoff Phil Boots James Merritt, Chairman Representative Representative Senator Senator Kreg Battles Phyllis Pond Richard Young Jim Lewis : To be a premier year-round gathering place that maximizes its resources to host a wide ON range of diverse activities. To be recognized as the best State Fair in the country, showcasing agriculture & youth in an educational, entertaining and safe environment. VISI ANNUAL REPORT 3 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT INSPIRING! That’s the only Speaking of the fair, the 2012 edition was a success! With challenges way to describe 2012, as the from weather and early school start dates, we attracted crowds of Commission, Fair Board and 70,000 or more on three different days for just the second time entire staff finished out what since we went to the 17-day format. The “Year of Dairy Cows” was was an amazing year. From an a huge hit with fairgoers, as was the new DuPont Food Pavilion. extremely strong show season Both programs helped us further our efforts to educate the public in the first half of the year to our about agriculture. Cindy Hoye great Indiana State Fair where we certainly “Celebrated the Hoosier Spirit” to historic events The fair also benefitted from the new safety policies instituted and which guide our future. After many years of analysis and meetings the prioritization from the Commission regarding a safety culture with our Stakeholders, the Indiana State Fair Commission was throughout the year. New Chief Operating Officer David Shaw and successful in the dream of renovating the Fairgrounds Coliseum. new Security Director Jessie Olvera oversaw the creation of our This historic treasure – and the signature facility of our 250 acre Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, which has become complex – has been serving the fairgrounds and all of Indiana the “gold standard” for large events like ours. We activated the plan proudly since 1939, but it desperately needed to be updated to several times throughout the fair and received widespread praise in current building codes. Thanks to years of planning and prepa- response to a variety of situations. ration, spearheaded by Commission Chairman Andre Lacy and Governor Daniels, the demolition of the Coliseum’s interior finally We are entering the final year of our three-year strategic plan, which began in October. has been instrumental in pushing us to achieve some tremendous goals internally and externally. There is more about that in the fol- While the Coliseum renovation is the highlight of our renovation lowing pages, and we look forward to continuing on the path we’re plans, it isn’t the only major construction project. The Indiana on. These are exciting times at the State Fairgrounds… thanks for Soybean Alliance also broke ground in October on its new legacy being part of it! project, the Indiana Farming Experience, also known as “The Glass Barn.” This $2.9 million project, funded through the soybean check-off program, will be used to improve the understanding of how our food is grown and raised before it lands on our tables. Cynthia C. Hoye The 4,500 square foot “transparent” facility will feature interactive Executive Director, Indiana State Fair Commission exhibits and live video feeds from Hoosier family farms. It will be a major component of our education program “The State’s Larg- est Classroom”, as well as, a huge attraction during the State Fair in 2013. 4 INDIANA STATE FAIR COMMISSION INDIANA STATE FAIR FOUNDATION Those words have been very prophetic. Millions of dollars have been What is the Indiana State Fair Foundation? pledged during the quiet phase of the Coliseum Campaign. Soon, the campaign will go public and even more people will be offered The Indiana State Fair Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) the opportunity to be part of the most significant project in the State public charity, qualified to accept tax deductible Fairgrounds’ 120-year history. bequests, devises, transfers and gifts dedicated to support the year-round youth development, educa- “It’s been humbling for me to hear the stories from people all over tion and campus stewardship projects of the Indiana Indiana about their connection to the Coliseum,” Armstrong said. State Fair Commission. “This building has created lifelong memories for generations of families through concerts, cattle shows, sporting events and gradua- Officially created by the State Legislature 2011, the Indiana State tions. It’s a major part of the city’s history and we are eager to reach Fair Foundation is the “behind the scenes” driving force behind the our campaign goals and reopen the building for future generations.” Fairgrounds Coliseum renovation project. Led by Director of Advance- ment Justin Armstrong, the foundation has quietly been working to With so much focus on the Coliseum renovation, it’s easy to forget promote and generate funding for the $63 million project that is at that the foundation is also guiding the creation of the new $2.9 million the center of the State Fairgrounds’ revenues. Soybean Legacy Project on the fairgrounds’ north side. It’s even easier to forget that the foundation isn’t solely about facility renova- “This legislation makes for a wonderful vehicle to grow the State Fair tions. Future funds will also be designated for programs that better outside of the use of state funds,” Sen. Jim Merritt, R-Indianapolis, recognize the hard work of youth from all over the state. said when his bill creating the foundation was signed into law. “Having the opportunity to solicit donations to benefit the fair directly would significantly speed up facilities renovations and projects.” “The Indiana State Fair will always be centered on agriculture, youth and education,” Executive Director Cindy Hoye said. “This foundation only helps us emphasize that.” ANNUAL REPORT 5 COLISEUM RENOVATION & YOUTH ARENA “This is the most important capital project in the 120-year history of the Indiana State Fairgrounds,” State Fair Commission Chairman Andre Lacy said. “Bringing the Coliseum up to modern day standards ensures its viability for at least another 50 years and is the responsible thing to do – for the State Fairgrounds and the city of Indianapolis.” The Coliseum is scheduled to reopen in August, 2014. Only months into its 22-month, $63 million renovation, the historic Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum has already undergone dra- matic changes. The seats, concessions stands and everything else inside the 74 year-old structure have been removed, and the 268 tons of steel being used on the adjoining “New Arena” have been erected. Once completed, the new Fairgrounds Coliseum will boast India- napolis’ only mid-sized, multi-purpose arena with seating for up to 8,200 people. The new Coliseum will showcase a variety of events, including the Indiana State Fair’s major livestock shows and its headline concert series each August. Throughout the year, it will also host professional, collegiate and high school sports, commencements and graduations, national touring concerts, national livestock events, family entertainment shows and more. The renovation includes a restoration of the iconic, Art Deco style exterior along with a completely updated interior that includes double-tiered seating, a new video scoreboard