• Our community • Our invite to NHSRA • Our organization • Our facility • Our venues in action

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Central location in USA for competitors to drive to • Speaking with families at the Finals 2016, Lincoln would shorten their trip by a ½-1 day

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Near major interstates, airports • 4 mi. off Interstate 80 by easy to navigate 4-lane highway, 50 mi. west of Interstate 29 via I-80 • Airports in Lincoln & Omaha (15 & 45 minutes away)

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Proximity to JHSRF happening two weeks prior in Des Moines • 181 miles down I-80, 2.5 hours • Ability for vendors, NHSRA equipment to be stored in LEC parking lots

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Summer weather more mild than other parts of the US: July average 89 degrees, 3.4” rain

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Medium-sized Lincoln offers services of a bigger city in a small town friendly feel • Easy to find way around on grid system, one turn & 20 min. to downtown from LEC • Next door to Walmart, 2-5 min from grocery,

restaurants, gas, 5-15 min. from hotels –

Lincoln leading USA medium-sized city recognized for family-friendly attractions, services

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Numerous higher education institutions to explore nearby • including ag, technical, community college & leading private & public universities

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Did we mention enjoying the “Nebraska Nice” culture? It’s not just a marketing slogan

•

Current proposal for 2020/2021, then potential to rotate back to Lincoln 2 years of every 6 years for next 15-20+ years to have the long-term

home for the NHSFR you are looking for •

Dates based on RFP for annual NHSFR to be minimum of 2 weeks after JHSRF which is in Des Moines currently: – June 21-27, 2020

– June 20-26, 2021 •

Dates available for NHSFR in 2020/2021 (& similar ongoing) First Choice

Second choice

– July 12-18 or 19-25, 2020

– July 11-17 or 18-24, 2021 •

Note: first choice earlier due to Lancaster County Super Fair we host starting end of July but we will work

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with you on date you select.

Amy Dickerson Managing Director Cell: 402.429.1950 Call anytime with questions, suggestions

Emails: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Hoyt Kraeger Special Events Assistant Office: 402.441.6545 Cell: 402-618-9426

Chas Skillett Operations Manager & Arena/Rodeo & Equine Events Lead

Nate Dowding Sr. Operations Manager & Trade Show/ Livestock Show Lead

Steph Henion Sponsorship Coordinator

Paul Ramirez Food & Beverage Manager

Jason Rief IT, Graphic Design & Sign Shop

Lois Hartzell Guest Services Manager (Tickets, Shavings, Camping)

Char Weatherford Accounting Mgr.

Mike Wulf Purchasing, Staffing & Volunteers

Sue Bulling Events Coordinator & Receptionist

Tammy Samuel Marketing Coordinator (PR, Advertising, Web, Social Media)

Mary Davis Ops Admin (Customer invoicing, online ordering & reservations)

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Volunteer, elected board with

3-year terms •

All have ag, animal, county fair backgrounds with variety of business, career experiences

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All passionate about developing youth in ag & animal-related endeavors

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Very consistent membership (seven on board 10+ years)

9-member governing body of the Lancaster Event Center & Lancaster County Super Fair --A separate county-level political entity with strong support from Lancaster County Board & City of Lincoln

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The Lancaster Event Center is owned and operated by the Lancaster County Agricultural Society and has full control over the day to day operations of the Lancaster Event Center as well as hosting the Annual Lancaster County Super Fair

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Amy Dickerson, Managing Director is a full-time, professional manager of the Lancaster Event Center hired by the Ag Society Board and has full authority to enter into contracts with event promoter for promoter-hosted events. Amy is on a long-term contract with the Ag Society.

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For the National High School Finals Rodeo as an LEC-hosted event, a vote of the 9-member board would need to take place approving the final contract during one of its monthly meetings, or a special meeting if needed to meet deadlines.

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The Ag. Society Board has been involved through every step of the bid process (see letter of support from the Ag Society signed by the President on following slide)

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The Ag Society recognizes the responsibility to host an event of this magnitude & has already secured key local partners to commit resources to ensure a successful NHSFR event (see subsequent slide)

• – $3M grant to fund needed grounds construction to meet NHSFR specs • – $1M committed to improve closest street intersection • – A financial commitment to defray event costs of NHSRA choice • – $40K value use & preparation of property north of LEC for livestock pens, dry camping – $10K per year starting in 2017 to help fund full-time NHSRF planner at LEC – Free use of UNL East Campus facilities to host Queen Contest – College fair & bus tours support

• • •

Built in 2 phases since 2001 400K sq ft over 7 buildings 160 acres including eastern side of property not shown: • • •

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Existing Outdoor Arena Complex & parking lot Large unimproved grass pasture Existing 200 site campground

Known for ample, free parking & easy access from I-80 on east side of Lincoln We neighbor cornfields but 15 min. from downtown Lincoln!

A public, non-profit event center seen as leading venue for variety of events not just in Nebraska, but regionally and nationally with an experience that is… – – – –

Professional Profitable Friendly Fun

…all while celebrating the unique agricultural & natural nature of Lancaster County and being a key contributor to the county’s youth, culture and economy headlined by being the home of one of the largest, most well-respected 4-H county fairs in the USA

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• Re-launch kicked off in 2014 with hiring of new Managing Director • Over $5 million in improvements completed over last 5 years • Growth since 2011: from 211 to 305 events with 500K attendees including 140K at county fair we organize

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Mosbrucker Extreme Bull Ride Challenge – 2 performances 2-3,000 spectators each, 60 entries

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UNL Rodeo events – 3 performances, 2,000 spectators each, 350 entries

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Mid-States Region Finals – 3 performances, 1,000 spectators each, 150 entries

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Numerous rodeo event shows (barrel races, ropings, cutting etc.)

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Weekly rodeo practices & barrel races

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National & Regional Bonus Barrel Race Finals – 1,200 horses annually in June

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Host to 8th largest Quarter Horse show in USA: Cornhusker Classic

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Over 100 equine events year-round, many experiencing double digit growth due to improvement in footing &

facility since re-launch started in 2014 –

Shrine Circus

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Simmental National Show

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Lancaster County Super Fair •

(24 animal types over 10 days plus year-round 4-H, FFA events)

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Indoor: Sold out during winter trade show season: –

Largest Indoor Farm Show West of the Mississippi—900 booths, 400K sq ft.

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Expos: Home, Garden, Boat & RV, Gun, Motorcycle, Women’s, Dog, Toys, Trains, Antiques, Flea Markets, you name it! Often running as many as 5 shows at once.

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Outdoor trade shows –

Regional Car Swap Meet—over 800 booths inside and out

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Lancaster County Super Fair—equipment & retail dealers, antique farm equip., car shows

Banquets, Receptions, Quinceanaras –

with over 1,000 person capacity

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Many Local, Youth, 4H/FFA and Community events

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Annual Lancaster County Super Fair entire program by LEC staff & Ag Society Board

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10 days, 140K attendees

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Concerts, trade show, entertainment

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Animal shows, static displays, carnival

Hosted Mid-States Rodeo Oct. 2015 (Reference: Matt Paulson)

• • • •

Organized by LEC staff & Ag Society Board Visit www.SuperFair.org to see example schedule One of largest 4-H county fairs in USA: 10 days, 140K attendees Thousands of competitions, attractions, exhibits, booths involving 2,000+ exhibitors (4-H, Open Class)

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One turn, 4 miles from I-80 on major highway

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On eastern edge of Lincoln with farm fields, nature trail next door

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Close to shopping, gas, hotels, downtown including Walmart next door

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All trade show space on one level with adjacent outdoor display space

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Both Cutting and Reined Cow Horse arenas/warmups inside

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Ample practice, warmup space for all show arenas

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Compact, convenient layout of entire event with good traffic flow

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Great time to lock in an open spot now on our calendar

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Ops Manager Chas Skillett, NHSFR 2001 alum would lead the setup

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Tight partnership with UNL, other Nebraska rodeo programs to consult,

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•

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get volunteers

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That’s why we want to host your event!

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Complete development of eastern portion of our 160-acre grounds with:

– Room for additional seating starting with existing portable bleachers – Planned room for permanent grandstand addition up to 5,000

2. – Improved traffic flow around all sides of grounds

3. – Increase current 200 electric spots to 1,000

– Add water to all sites

Phase 3 will enhance the NHSFR experience over time to grow with LEC on site including: Ag Coliseum with permanent raised seating, added Pavilion for more indoor stall space, additional food & function spaces as well as permanent grandstand & campground amenities. We can work construction plans around NHSFR schedule.

• •

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• Large capacity ballroom with flexible stage arrangements • State-of-the-art audio and visual capabilities • Newly renovated meeting rooms & lounge areas • Provided by University of NebraskaLincoln, ongoing LEC partner

UNL’s East Campus is located 10 min. down street from LEC

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81k sq ft trade show pavilion with space for 400 10’x10’ booths

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Easy load in/out with multiple garage doors on two long sides

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All concrete with electrical drops throughout

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Main lobby, restrooms, Good Times Grill, NHSRA Office adjacent

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Connected to MPA on same level for added trade show/equipment space + outdoor display space on N. side

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A/C added for NHSFR show

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36K sq ft combined concrete, packed dirt/carpeted floor used for trade shows outside of horse show season

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20 ft aircraft bay door & three other garage doors for easy large equipment load in

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Opportunity to include more truck/trailer and equipment dealers inside,

connected to rest of trade show booths in Pavilion 1 •

A/C added for NHSFR show

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80K sq ft dirt floor with mostly concrete aisles

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300 indoor 10’x10’ stalls

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70’ x 110’ warmup arena

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New General Store—Shavings, snacks and cold drinks

General Store

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73K sq ft arena building designed for horse + cattle competitions

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115’ x 150’ Competition Arena with 100’ x 115’ warm up area to NHSFR specs.

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Excellent footing (Bob Kiser mixture, maintained with Kiser DragMaster)

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Room for bleacher seating up to 770

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Café, restrooms

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Back pen space for cattle inside and/or adjacent outdoor pens can be provided

Indoor Backpens

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Largest indoor show arena building with 88K sq ft, 40’ high ceilings

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Room for practice, warmup and completion arenas all to NHSFR specs.

within existing 125x300’ arena •

Excellent footing (Bob Kiser mixture, maintained with Kiser DragMaster)

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31K concrete area provides ample area for bleacher seating up to 770, NSHFR standings & draw posting, seating space

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Adjacent to main lobby, restrooms, Good Times Grill, NHSFA Office

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Trade show adjacent in Pavilion 1

• • •

3,400 seat grandstands with canopy, food stands, restrooms Additional seating provided by existing 10-row portable bleachers on either side of grandstand initially Planned room to expand to 5,000 permanent grandstand capacity (until expansion, seating will be supplemented with existing LEC 10-row bleachers)

• • • • • •

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Livestock pens for all requested animal numbers & quarantine area across Havelock Ave.

Two Performance & three Practice Arenas sized at NHSFR specs Recommended layout can be adjusted to NHSFR preference NHSFR would be consulted before final construction design LEC working with Nebraska-based panel maker L&H Mfg. on arena design and build L&H Mfg recently designed & built Nebraska State Fair outdoor arena Pens for 35-40 head/event at performance arenas

• – Reserved in groups of approx. 20 per state/province – We can manage fair re-allocation from smaller states to larger states if desired – Pump truck service available • – Can organize by state groupings here as well – Water & pump truck service available • • –

from volunteers, trade show vendors etc. will be referred to LEC unlimited dry camping or ample full-service campground sites close by (15-30 minutes)

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Camp-A-Way (West Lincoln) - 95 full sites under trees, 14 min.

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Pawnee State Recreation Area – 31 full sites lake-side, 29 min.

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Branched Oak State Recreation Area – 338 paved sites lake-side, 40 min.

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Conestoga Lake State Recreation Area – 33 paved sites lake-side, 24 gravel sites, 40 min.

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Blue Stem Recreation Area – 19 paved sites, 200 gravel sites, lake-side, 40 min.

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Wagon Train State Recreation Area – 28 paved sites, 80 dirt sites, lake-side, 30 min.

Ron Dowding Ag Society Board President washing a chicken

Larry Hudkins County Commissioner kissing a pig

Amy Dickerson LEC Managing Director with Hoyt Kraeger, LEC Special Events, shearing an unlucky sheep

Good dinner conversation at our local Misty’s Steakhouse after our LEC/Lincoln tours & discussions Front: Amy Dickerson, LEC Managing Director; Kendra Ronnau, Lanc Co Ag Society Board Equine Event Lead; James Higginbotham, NHSRA Exec. Director; Trudy Pedley, Lanc. Co Ag Society Board Treasurer; Derek Bombeck & Derek Feyerherm from Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau; Chas Skillett, LEC Operations Manager & 2001 NHSFR alum Back: Hoyt Kraeger, LEC Special Events & 2011 NHSFR alum; Bump Kraeger, UNL Rodeo Club Coach & multiple NHSFR attendee; Todd Wiltgren, Lancaster County Commissioner; Ron Dowding, Lanc Co Ag Society President; Nate Dowding LEC Senior Operations Manager

If you’re in the area, don’t hesitate to stop by! Call Amy or Hoyt at 402-441-6545 anytime.