By JAMIE SEARS RAWLINGS

Kentucky Correspondent

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—With just a few short months to go before its 2018 event, the Kentucky State Fair Board has named state industry leader David S. Beck its new president and CEO.

Beck, 63, has served as the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation’s CEO since 1995, experience fair board officials said was key in their decision.

“Speaking on behalf of the Kentucky State Fair Board, we looked at several candidates with a variety of backgrounds,” said Dr. Mark Lynn, chair of the board – governing body of Kentucky Venues, which manages the Kentucky Exposition Center, home to the Kentucky State Fair and the National Farm Machinery Show, as well as the Kentucky International Convention Center.

“Certainly, Beck’s experience in Kentucky agriculture, his expertise with legislative issues and his knowledge and understanding of how agribusiness relates to clients and events at both the Kentucky Exposition Center and the Kentucky International Convention Center were very positive factors.”

For Beck, the position will allow him to continue advocating for the growth of the agriculture industry in his state.

“I see this really as an expansion of what I’ve been doing for a number of years,” he said. “I see the facilities, the fairgrounds and the Convention Center, really as the front door to the urban area for rural Kentucky, where rural meets urban. Rural Kentucky needs urban areas, and urban areas need rural Kentucky.

“I hope this is an opportunity to enhance and increase the understanding and appreciation of value for both as we market those facilities and as we host various shows and events. I hope there’s an opportunity for agriculture to expand its presence,” he added.

Beck, a lifelong Kentuckian with roots in the rural western part of the state and the former head of a major fair sponsor, considers himself familiar enough with the Kentucky Exposition Center to spearhead some quick changes ahead of the 2018 event.

“One of the things I’m hoping to bring about is to increase the pride and understanding among all of our employees and our community of those facilities,” he said. “I want to improve the appearance. I don’t care which gate you come through, which parking lot you park in, which meeting room you’re utilizing, or which restroom you go by, I want it to be in top-notch condition.

“I want it to be a property and a facility where our employees, my colleagues in those venues, take pride in where they work. For exhibitors or sponsors of events, shows, conferences or exhibits, I want them to feel like they are in best venue possible to showcase their industry, their profession and their products.

“There’s a lot of work to be done and there’s a lot of ‘TLC’ needed,” he noted.

“When I look at the state fair being in August, that’s going to be a major showcase and I’m hopeful we are all ready in a short period of time to be able to see some change come about – not change just to change, but positive change where people will realize that were committed to make this the best it can be.”

In addition to the aesthetic changes Beck hopes to implement, 2018 state fair planners are busy at work with a host of other new offerings.

“Making the Kentucky State Fair an affordable value for families, along with quality entertainment, continues to be the guide for planning each and every fair,” said Amanda Storment, vice president of communications.

“We are announcing our concert lineup for the 2018 Kentucky State Fair later this month, and fairgoers can expect an exciting lineup of concerts for every musical tastes in a brand new concert venue. The venue will be entertainment-driven with two stages and plenty of Kentucky food and beverages, including products from craft breweries and distilleries.”

According to Storment, this summer’s fair will feature new exhibits and exhibit areas with an increased number of vendors from past fairs, as well as expanded food options that highlight locally grown edibles produced by Kentucky farmers.

“Planners are also focusing even more attention on Kentucky’s agriculture presence and importance with new exhibits and exhibit areas,” she said. “A concerted effort to highlight the importance of Kentucky agriculture for both urban and rural attendees make the Kentucky State Fair one of the nation’s best.”

To learn more and for schedules, visit https://kystatefair.org