Exposition Authority with a nine-member board appointed by the governor. Construction followed with an investment totaling $26.2 million by the facility’s 1990 opening. “Larry Walker was a state representative at the time,” Shimp notes. “His kids actually showed pigs and possibly some other livestock.” The parkway leading to the facility now bears Walker’s name. Today, the operation runs year-round with four arenas serving diverse events. “We have 60 plus events a year just in livestock events total. We have close to 200 events a year with livestock and commercial sales,” says Kelley Owen, agricultural and youth livestock director. The Georgia National Fair draws hundreds of thousands of visitors over 11 days each October.“This year our attendance was 600,000 people during the Georgia National Fair,” Shimp reports. February brings the Georgia National Rodeo, while July hosts the NBHA Youth and Teen World Championships. The 2025 Barrel Racing Championship drew 2,148 horse and rider pairs from countries including Canada, Australia, France, Italy, Mexico, and New Zealand, distributing $585,000 in payouts. “Currently this NBHA show, which is barrel racing, their home is in Texas and their riders come from California, Canada, from out of Central America,” Shimp explains. “There’ll be folks here from across the pond, and from all over the world.” YOUTH AGRICULTURE AT THE CORE The Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority operates under a clear mandate from the state legislature. Shimp reports directly to the ninemember board appointed by Georgia’s governor, tasked with a dual mission: “I work at their pleasure to carry out the missions of the Georgia Agricultural and Exposition Authority,” he says.“The mandate that we operate under, number one in our business, is to make sure that we showcase Georgia’s agriculture and showcase Georgia’s agricultural youth.” This focus on youth programs represents a significant financial commitment. The authority invests $2.6 million annually to maintain facilities and provide access to Georgia’s young people at no cost or very low cost. “That’s to maintain our facilities as well as opportunity costs,” Shimp explains. Youth programs occupy approximately 60 days annually, limiting commercial rental availability during prime weekends. The authority balances this investment through revenue from equine events, livestock shows, conventions, and commercial rentals throughout the year. The business model prioritizes accessibility over profit maximization. Where commercial venues 97 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 13, ISSUE 01 GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIRGROUNDS AND AGRICENTER
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