LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) is arguably the biggest and most prestigious livestock show in the country bringing more than 200,000 visitors to the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC) each year.
Recent reports of a shake-up within NAILE’s executive committee and the Kentucky State Fair Board (KSFB) have fueled rumors NAILE is in danger of leaving town or shutting down. That is not the case, according to Clifford "Rip" Rippetoe, president and CEO of the KSFB, which oversees NAILE.
In an open letter to the livestock industry, he told producers the world’s largest purebred livestock show is completely supported by the fair board and its partners.
"I want to assure you that the KSFB fully supports NAILE and is committed to insuring (sic) continuity for the world’s largest purebred livestock exposition," he said. "In addition, our partners – the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) – are fully committed to moving forward with us."
David Beck, KFB executive vice president, said with the continued support of partners, key individuals, volunteers and livestock producers across the state and country, NAILE will remain the standard of excellence in the livestock industry.
"KFB has had a long tradition of supporting the Kentucky Exposition Center, particularly their shows that are geared toward agriculture. We want to always be supportive of those activities, specifically NAILE, the state fair and those types of events," he said.
"We’re going to continue to focus as an organization to make sure these programs are the best they can be and try to make sure they continue to serve our industry."
Beck added the KEC is known for hosting some of the biggest agriculture events in the country, in addition to NAILE – including the National Farm Machinery Show and the Kentucky State Fair and World Championship Horse Show, managed by the KSFB, and as well as the National FFA Convention.
"At the end of the day our focus has to be the integrity and the growth and enhancement of those shows and activities," said Beck. "That’s what our purpose has to be for the benefit of the industry and producers."
He added it’s important for the many people who have worked to develop NAILE, including key volunteers who have been involved with the event for years, to remain engaged and supportive so the tradition of the show can be preserved for the future both from an industry and an economic standpoint. These longstanding relationships are critical.
The concern about the future of NAILE stems from an executive order issued by Gov. Steve Beshear’s office that changed the structure of the fair board. According to it, the fair board as it existed should be abolished, recreated and restructured with an advanced governing membership reflective of the expanded role of the Kentucky State Fair Board in attracting world-class events in the agricultural, agribusiness and entertainment arenas, and establishing such regulatory and marketing considerations necessary to promote the safety and success of these endeavors.
The board goes from 15 members to 21, of which 19 are voting members and most of whom will be appointed by the governor.
And while the fair board’s own budget report notes NAILE operated at a loss, at least in 2012, it is estimated this single event creates an $11.6 million economic impact to the area.
Nancy Cox, dean of the UK College of Ag, serves on the fair board and said NAILE is vital in so many ways and the expectation is it will remain alive and well at its KEC home.
"We are an animal agriculture state, and it’s always good when we can showcase the animal industry within our state. As a member of the fair board for the last year-and-a-half, the notion that the fair board has any reservations about animal agriculture, it is not true," she said. "NAILE is the livestock industry’s Kentucky Derby."
Cox also said just because state government is paying more attention to the structure of the event and any financial concerns doesn’t mean the intention is to do away with it. "We try very hard as a board to be very responsible for our finances."
She said going forward with this event, there’s no reason it can’t be even stronger and emphasized the fact NAILE has become important to the youth involved in the livestock industry.
"Maybe the best reason to keep this show is because of all the youth that go through it and what a big achievement it is for an exhibitor to go through a show like this," she said. "It keeps our pipeline of future agricultural leaders going."
Kentucky Ag Commissioner James Comer said the KEC always will be the premier location to hold NAILE. "The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is committed to assisting the KSFB with facilitating this event," he said. "I have listened to the concerns expressed about the (NAILE). I believe that with the support of the purebred livestock community and the hosts of volunteers, the North American International Livestock Exposition can and will be a success this year and for years to come.
"As always, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture stands ready to assist the Kentucky agriculture community in promoting their commodities and interests across the Commonwealth and the nation."
Rippetoe also said in his letter that since NAILE’s inception four decades ago, its home will continue to be at the KEC: "The show has grown in prestige throughout the years and it will continue to serve as the standard bearer for the purebred livestock industry."
Last year marked the fourth in a row in which NAILE saw a record number of entries. In 2014 that number reached 29,095 and this year the show will offer a combined $750,000 in premiums and awards. The show is scheduled for Nov. 7-20.
