Planners organizing an ag event in the Midwest certainly have a large field of choices to plow, whether putting together a large-scale farming expo, a rustic dinner reception or anything planted in between.
Here’s a look at just a handful of the very best locales for agricultural affairs in the heart of the nation, and some of the lures that have helped establish their popularity.
Madison, Wis.
Madison has a big dairy heritage, in addition to its progressive college-town lures, but its appeal as an agricultural events hub begins with the massive and multifaceted Alliant Energy Center (AEC).
The AEC got a big boost last year with the renovation of some old barn structures into the snazzy New Holland Pavilions, boasting 290,000 square feet of indoor facility space that includes nearly 8,000 square feet of prefunction space for receptions and banquets. The new space adds to an already robust campus that includes a large arena, spacious exhibition hall and a coliseum with room to host more than 10,000 attendees. The unique Willow Island is an unexpected bonus, showcasing nearly 30 acres of open green space, and even includes 99 campsites for groups open to roughing it.
“Any new agricultural show needs to consider Madison,” states Mark Clarke, executive director for the AEC, adding that there are 500 hotel rooms in close proximity to the venue as another bonus. Its location just off Interstates 90/94 comes in handy too, Clarke remarks, given that agricultural events are so often associated with transporting large equipment.
Madison is currently host to two huge yearly ag shows, the World Dairy Expo and Midwest Horse Fair, both held at the AEC.
Indianapolis
The Indiana State Fairgrounds hosts more than 300 events annually, many of them farming- or agricultural-related, and will attract more than 55,000 students and sponsors for the 2016 Future Farmers of America (FFA) Convention & Expo.
Lisa Wallace, communications manager for Visit Indy, says that key factors for the fairgrounds’ event popularity is its easy access from four different interstates, the proximity of about 7,100 hotel rooms in Indy’s downtown and the recent boost provided by $63 million in revamps and additions. Ample parking, including RV campgrounds, is another plus.
Additionally, Indy is home to some popular venues for agricultural groups, Wallace adds, including The Loft at Traders Point Creamery, a true farm-to-table eatery showcasing dairy products, pork and chicken sourced on-site; Goose the Market, an acclaimed sandwich spot focused on fresh Hoosier State ingredients; and Locally Grown Gardens, a unique farmers market-boutique restaurant hybrid of sorts. The City Market, home to a thriving farmers market every Wednesday, is another option.
Stillwater, Okla.
“With the close proximity to agriculture experts at Oklahoma State University, venues customized for a wide scope of livestock or agricultural shows and events, and a team of destination professionals within our office, we are confident Stillwater will meet and exceed your expectations,’ says Kylie Vincent, director of marketing and communications for Visit Stillwater, speaking in reference to the city’s ag event appeal.
In terms of venues, the Payne County Expo Center is the big farm-friendly event hub, with facilities that include a 24,600-square-foot arena and spacious livestock pavilion, and the center is host to an unending agenda of agricultural affairs. From miniature horse club meetings and dairy displays to longhorn cattle shows, it truly does draw nearly any type of ag show imaginable.
Other ag-related local elements include a well-established veterinary hospital and the presence of the aforementioned Oklahoma State University, originally named the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College when it debuted in 1890.
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Springfield, Mo.
“A friendly community, affordability and good facilities and amenities are among the factors that make Springfield a good location for ag events,” says Susan Wade, public relations manager for the local CVB. “The city’s central location in the United States also is a factor, especially for events where people bring animals and/or large farm equipment.”
A big hub for such affairs is the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, with regular shows that reflect an eclectic mix: The Spring Ag & Urban Fest, HorseFest, Lawn & Garden Show, the Southwest Missouri Dairy Goat Show, South Central Regional Simmental Show, Mid America Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association Grand Slam, Ozark Mule Days and Ozark Fall Farmfest, just to name a few.
Nebraska City, Neb.
In the Cornhusker State’s easternmost reaches, planners will discover a farm-friendly setting that will appeal to all kinds of groups, hallmarked by a full-fledged lodge and conference center with all the bells and whistles for a successful function.
Lied Lodge & Conference Center, nestled on the 260-acre grounds of the Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City, Neb., offers 144 guest rooms and 14,000 square feet of event space, in a beautiful natural setting committed to tree planning and sustainability.
When attendees aren’t getting down to business, or enjoying the lodge’s many amenities, the farm offers a gamut of doings to make any affair more memorable. Guests can climb aboard an open-air shuttle for a tour of the rolling grounds, sip some wine from the vineyards, or step up to the top of a five-story treehouse platform for sweeping vistas and fun photo ops. The nearby ArborLinks golf course is a private, conservation-focused course designed by Arnold Palmer that extends its exclusive access to guests of Lied Lodge.
Lied Lodge is currently undergoing an $8 million makeover that will enhance everything from meeting spaces and its lobby to the guest rooms; the upgrade is slated to wrap this summer.
Owatonna, Minn.
Nestled in Minnesota’s southeast corner, Owatonna is a small city with big drawing power when it comes to agricultural functions.
The North American Farm & Power Show returned in March for its 12th consecutive year, where it reported sold-out exhibit space and robust attendance. The event is hosted at the adjoining Four Seasons Centre and Steele County Fairgrounds, two spacious and adaptable venues with an extensive working relationship.
Additional farm-friendly aspects of Owatonna include a wholesome and handsome downtown, deep agricultural roots in the community that includes heavy involvement in Future Farmers of America leadership, and a Cabela’s retail center—always popular with the outdoorsy crowd.
Kansas City, Mo.
Kansas City has long been a centrum of farming and livestock activity, says Denise DeJulio, the executive director of convention sales for Visit KC.
“Kansas City is a long-standing hub for agricultural meetings and events,” DeJulio says “As the starting point for several trails heading west from what was once the second-largest livestock center of America, Kansas City puts attracting ag-related meetings front and center on our list of priorities.”
Recurring ag meetings in the area include the Dairy Farmers of America Annual Meeting (HQ in KC), the National Association of Farm Broadcasters Annual Conference, the Western Seed Association Annual Conference and the Agriculture Future of America Leaders Conference.
In the pipeline are the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) Exchange, set for February 2017, and the National Future Farmers of America National Alumni Convention, slated for July 2016.
The Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center and The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center combine to form one of the largest flexible meeting spaces in the Midwest. During the past two years alone, the Missouri hotel complex played host to 27 different agricultural groups and 53 events, including the Agricultural Media Summit, Livestock Publications Council, Agriculture Future of America and the Farmers National Company.
