Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fairgrounds Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fairgrounds manager outlines safety training, software training, bleacher kickoff and rodeo strategy
Summary
Flathead County fairgrounds manager reported on a recent staff safety incident, plans for staff training, ShowWorks software training, a forthcoming contractor kickoff for north bleacher construction, and a five-year plan to raise the rodeo's profile and purse through sponsorship growth.
Sam Nunley, the Flathead County Fairgrounds manager, briefed the commissioners on safety, operations and upcoming events at the fairgrounds. He said staff will work with risk management on a backing-safety training after a recent incident where a staff member backing a vehicle struck someone.
Nunley reviewed operational items: the Flathead Livestock Sale Organization budget was finalized with no change in sale percentages; an hourly rental agreement is being developed to standardize short-term facility rentals and insurance requirements; and staff plan to attend ShowWorks software training in Cody, Wyoming to broaden operational capacity.
On construction, Nunley said the contractors for the north bleacher project will hold a kickoff meeting and he expects work to start quickly once snow and ice recede. He suggested a press opportunity could accompany a later groundbreaking or site visit.
Discussing the Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo, Nunley said competing rodeos are increasing purse amounts and that Billings has raised its purse to about $30,000 per event. He said the fair currently budgets roughly $8,800 per event and that matching a $30,000 purse would push the fair's purse obligation much higher—he estimated about $210,000 to reach that level—and that the fair is pursuing sponsorship growth and unique event features as alternatives to an immediate large purse increase. "My plan is in 5 years, I want our rodeo to be the number 1 medium sized rodeo in North America," Nunley said.
The board had follow-up questions about vendor selection, parking, and scheduling; Nunley said stock contractor and carnival RFPs are forthcoming.
