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August 26, 2008 - VenuWorks managed Central Iowa Expo set to reap reward from largest CAT grant

For Immediate Release:                                                      August 26, 2008

Contact:  Tammy Koolbeck                                                     319-929-5755

 

The Farm Progress show begins its three-day run today at the Central Iowa Expo in Boone County, a site that was just another Iowa farm field 11 short months ago.

 

"About 11 months ago there was nothing here," Central Iowa Expo Center President Darrel Rensink recently told the Boone News Republican.  "But what you see here today took place over 11 months, which is magnificent."

 

One of the key elements in funding the $9 million Central Iowa Expo project was a Community Attraction Tourism (CAT) Grant from the Vision Iowa board.  After being hired as consultant to the project in July 2007, VenuWorks staff wrote the business plan, then worked to develop and assisted in the writing and presentation for the CAT grant.  That work resulted in a record $3 million grant, with $2 million awarded outright and $1 million in matching funds.  VenuWorks has since received a one-year management contract from Central Iowa Expo, Inc.  Andy E. Long is the acting general manager. 

 

"This has come together so fast with so much cooperation from so many different entities at all levels - local, state and federal," VenuWorks President Steve Peters said.  "This is an exciting time for Central Iowa and our company."

 

In addition to the CAT grant, the Central Iowa Expo also received a $5 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer is scheduled to attend the Farm Progress Show on Aug. 28. 

 

The Central Iowa Expo is located on 600 acres in Central Iowa, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 30 and Iowa Highway 17, between the cities of Boone and Ames.  It will be the biennial host of the Farm Progress Show, the nation's largest outdoor farm show that features state-of-the-art information and technology for agricultural producers.  Decatur, Ill., is the other biennial host city.  The communities have a 20-year contract with the show.

 

This year's show runs Aug. 26-28.  Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the 26 and 27, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the 28.  Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 13 to 17 and free for ages 12 and younger.

 

 

BACKGROUND

VenuWorks is well known for its success in providing full management services for arenas, theaters, and convention centers, which are primarily under the governance of municipalities, counties, colleges, and universities.  VenuWorks, headquartered in Ames, Iowa, serves 29 facilities in 16 communities throughout the US.  It also manages food and beverage operations and provides event booking and promotion services.  VenuWorks also performs feasibility studies and consulting work for clients with existing and prospective public assembly facilities.

 

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