North Dakota and South Dakota Associations of Fairs Hold Combined Annual Convention

The North Dakota Association of Fairs and South Dakota Association of Fairs held a combined annual convention Nov. 15-17, 2007, at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel in Aberdeen, S.D., according to South Dakota Association of Fairs Executive Secretary Janet Lehman.  The 275 registered delegates helped celebrate the convention theme “Dakota Fairs Ole Opry.”

South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Bill Even was the keynote speaker on Friday morning. George Jones, retired from the Eastern States Exposition, presented an IAFE Workshop titled “You Can Observe an Awful Lot by Watching.”  Other workshop topics included “Schools & Your Fair” and “Planning A Special Event.”

Both associations elected new directors for 2008.  The North Dakota board consists of President Jordan Sagert, Vice President Dean Clott, Secretary-Treasurer Neil Fleming, Steve Spitzer, Bette Furgeson, Patrick Lee, Wade Blend, Gerald Gerntholz, Frank Hockridge, Daryl Lies, Gerald Larsen, and Brian Carlson.  The South Dakota board members are President Mark Schilling, Vice President Jeanne McComsey, Executive Secretary Ms. Lehman, Larry Gerlach, Robert Merrill, Kay Hall, Mark Gramm, Tim Kohlmeyer, and Brenda Merrill.

“This year’s attendance was down slightly with 275 registered, but the convention goers seemed to enjoy themselves at the trade show, auction, and other events that were held for both learning and enjoyment,” Ms. Lehman said.

The 2008 Dakota Fairs Convention will be held Nov. 20-22, at the Ramkota Hotel in Bismark, N.D.