Farm News, IA
02-07-07
Boone strikes deal for Farm Progress Show
By Kristin Danley-Greiner, Farm News staff
BOONE — This year’s Farm Progress Show, slated for Illinois, will bid adieu to
the neighboring state every other year, now that officials have approved a
permanent site in Iowa for this show for the next couple of decades.
The 2008 Farm Progress Show, scheduled for Aug. 26-28, will be held on a new,
permanent biennial site east of Boone. This long-term facility for the nation/s
largest outdoor farm show will be developed on nearly 600 acres at the
intersection of U.S. Highway 30 and Iowa Highway 17. Extensive site
construction will begin this spring and is scheduled to be completed in time to
host the 2008 show. The show will be held every other year on this site, with
alternate years at its other permanent biennial facility in Decatur, Ill. The
developed Iowa site also will be known as the Central Iowa Expo, hosting other
events and activities when it is not being utilized for the Farm Progress Show.
Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress Show manager, said the company had been
approached by a number of Iowa communities interested in hosting the show,
including Boone. Show organizers were interested in a permanent site in Iowa,
primarily so they could build a more weatherproof event facility, he said.
“While no outdoor event is ever totally weatherproof, as has been proven in
Decatur, Ill., planned drainage and hard surface streets make for a much better
event in case rain does fall during the show. Other benefits include a more
reliable utility infrastructure, permanent restroom facilities and other
improvements, which are not feasible when building a site in the middle of a
cornfield. Exhibitors also are able to put down roots and invest in permanent
displays,î Jungmann said.
Farm Progress Show organizers say that Boone has a number of perks making it
a ’’fantastic location.î
’’It has traffic access to the entire Midwest through the I-35 and I-80 corridors, as
well as direct four-lane access to the facility on Highway 30,î Jungmann said. ’’In
addition to traffic, the community is motivated and excited to host the show; in
addition, having Iowa State University just a couple of miles away is a great fit.î
Darrel Rensink, City of Boone’s economic development director, sat on the team
that submitted the proposal to secure the Farm Progress Show for Boone. Boone
County, the City of Boone, Boone’s Future, and the Ames Convention and
Visitors Bureau, plus three area families, worked together to secure the
arrangement. The team’s proposal outlined the terms of the agreement they
would be willing to enter into, Rensink said, and it was accompanied by other
promotional material used to help market the area. Discussions began in
February of last year.
Rensink said that the show site will be managed by Central Farm Expo, a newly
formed corporation that will undertake a major fundraising effort to foot the costs
for the development of the site, including all utilities and necessary grading for
exhibitors. Central Iowa Expo will be the entity managing the site at all times, he
said. All contracts for usage will be with Central Iowa Expo. All costs for
development of the site will be the responsibility of Central Iowa Expo.
’’A portion of the land is under current study for purchase,î Rensink said,
’’specifically, the land being used for the exhibit area. The remaining acres will be
under contract between Central Iowa Expo and the landowners for right to enter
during the show years and an agreement to comply with the requirements of
Farm Progress Companies concerning planting, parking, etc.î
As a supporter of Boone, Rensink said that central Iowa in general is well suited
for the show because of its location and proximity to Iowa State University, as
well as a host of other reasons.
’’(It’s near) the agricultural influences from Iowa State University, the availability
of hotel/motel rooms within a short driving distance, including the Des Moines
area, a favorable highway transportation system which includes Interstates 35
and 80, and a four-lane Highway 30, all which will be important to bringing in the
visitors, which is estimated to be 80,000 ñ 100,000 each day for the three-day
show and a progressive citizenry all willing to devote the time and energy to
make the Farm Progress Show successful,î he said.