The Maryland State Fair

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George Matthews and Cameron Marlow

EML 11

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Introduction

What is the Maryland State Fair?:

“Maryland State Fair: “Not just the fair, an 11-day late-summer event that draws some

400,000 people, but the whole Timonium Fairgrounds. The 106-acre spread books nearly

300 indoor and outdoor events a year: thoroughbred horse sales, lacrosse tournaments,

wrestling matches, farmers' market, crafts festivals and shows of cars, model trains, cats,

cattle, antiques, guns, wedding attire, even reptiles.” Dec 8, 2014 -- Baltimore Sun

Our History

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1831:Construction of the Track

Amon Bosley constructed a one mile track when he purchases the property in this year.

1835: Track Destroyed

The track was destroyed when the Baltimore and Susquehanna Railroad was extended.

December 1878: "The Timonium Fair”

A group of community leaders incorporated as The Agricultural Society of Baltimore County.

This organization ran the early fairs, which were originally known as “The Timonium Fair.”

Our History

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1906: Merger

The Timonium Fair and The Maryland State Fair at Pimlico merged and

incorporated as the Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society of Baltimore

County, Md.

1918: New Management

The Maryland Jockey Club assumed management responsibilities for the Fair.

1943 — 1945: WWII Puts the Fair on Hold

The Maryland State Fairgrounds was leased to the Army for use as an engineer’s

storage depot and truck repair center. Consequently, the Maryland State Fair was

not held during these three years.

Our History

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1958: Grandstand Built

. 1974: Track Lengthened

The track’s length was increased from ½ a mile to 5/8 of a mile.

1992: Light Rail Built with Stop at Fairgrounds

Much like the first Fair visitors who used the North Central Railway as a convenient and economical means of transportation to the Fair, modern fairgoers started to benefit

from the new Light Rail System in 1992 with a stop at the Fairgrounds.

1976 - 5 million in funds received by

the state of Maryland to up date and

build infrastructure

Our History

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2006: 125th Anniversary Celebration

If history is evidence, the Maryland State Fair will continue to grow, to change when

necessary, to uphold tradition when possible, and to provide Marylanders with a

place to play, learn, and make memories and friends.

The nearly half-million visitors each year attest to what has become a favorite

summer tradition - The 11 Best Days of Summer - The Maryland State Fair. “The Maryland State Fair has

its first new general manager

in 53 years.” Dec 2, 2014 --

Baltimore Business Journal

Location and Facilities

Maryland State Fairgrounds are located Timonium, MD. Twenty minutes north of

Baltimore, MD off of Interstate 83. The fair grounds are ¼ mile east of the Interstate.

106 Acres:

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Location and Facilities

Race Track + Track Infield

- (5/8th mile oval track)

Grand Stand

- (Outdoor 150-200 persons)

- (Indoor seating 350-400 persons)

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Facilities

4-H/Home Arts Building (28,350 sqft)

Cow Palace (158,400 sqft)

Exhibition Hall (38,400 sqft)

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Facilities

Horse Show Ring

Sales Pavilion (11,000 sqft)

Vista Room/ Banquet Room (4,000 sqft)

Goat Barn and Swine Ring

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Mission and Future Goals

Goals:

Financially, independent of annual 11 Day Event

Diversify Events and bring in Off Track Betting (OTB) Parlor

Increase interest in Agricultural Education

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1879: to encourage the educational growth of youth (among them 4-H and Future Farmers

of America) by providing a venue where they can showcase their skills; and, to educate the

general public regarding agriculture, its related fields and its importance to our future.

2015: The mission of the Maryland State Fair/Fairgrounds is to provide a multipurpose

venue in which to conduct a successful Maryland State Fair, thoroughbred horseracing

season and other community events to benefit the citizens of Maryland and surrounding

states. Our venue provides an opportunity for the community to participate in a variety of

public and private events that showcase agriculture, horseracing, education, commerce,

entertainment, technology and industry. The Maryland State Fair is recognized and

respected in the local, national and international fair and exposition industry

Approach

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Observations Interviews Surveys Recommendations

Organization

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Board of Directors

General Manager

Asst. General Manager

Operations Manager

Education Director

Maintenance SponsorshipPublic

RelationsSafety Security Electrical

Representative Culture: On-Site staff surveyed

Council (Off-site)

General Manager

Asst. General Manger

Operations Manager

Education Director

Maintenance

Surveys

Leadership and Council

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Current culture demonstrated by leadership demonstrates Clan Culture

Work environment is family oriented

Preferred culture observes the need for balance by structure and

entrepreneurship

Surveys

Management

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Current culture demonstrated by management demonstrates Clan Culture

Work environment is family oriented

Preferred culture observes the need for balance by structure and

entrepreneurship

Current and Preferred Culture

Current culture reflects bias

toward a sense of “we-ness” and

extended family environment.

Preferred culture is requiring more

balance from Adhocracy,

Hierarchy, and Market cultures.

More structure, clarification of

responsibility, and standards of

operation will bring balance.

A fine-tuning is required rather

than a complete change.

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Cultural Analysis Indicates

Clan Culture:

Family work environment, employees are extended family

Tradition 5-7 generations of family involvement

Almost have to be born into the culture. Job is inherited. (There is no fair school)

Highly committed to employees. Pension plan / Employment is long term

Leadership, thought of as parental figures or the glue holding the organization together.

Ad-hoc Culture:

Retro-Active up keep of facilities

Market Culture:

Year Round Rentals

Sponsors

Hierarchal Culture:

Leadership is the glue that holds the employees together

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What we heard

“We need more funding”“Family Entertainment and Education”

“Schools shouldn't start before Labor Day”

“Small family Agriculture culture is dying”

“The Facilities are Aging”

“Diversification!” (Ag Education and Exhibits)

“Tradition”

“Passionate, We take care of our people”

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What MSF is doing right!

The fair has already gone through a major change event with new

Leadership

A family working environment for a family oriented education and

entertainment.

Taking care of your employees

On going business and support of year round rentals, Horse

shows, and the Fair (a celebration of Agriculture)

Continued Ag Education (Live Stock and Agriculture)

University of Maryland and 4H involvement

Up keep of the facilities

Bringing in of Off Track Betting Parlor

Horse Racing

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Recommendations

Clan Culture

Consider apprenticeships

Move towards Hierarchal culture

Clear definition of roles

Standard Operating Procedures for daily tasks

Set rules and guide lines to exhibitors (No Freebies)

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Recommendations continued

Move towards Ad-hoc culture

Play to your strengths! Train, location, flexibility

Differentiation of product

Market research to discover needed facility offerings

Bridge skill set to future technology

Public School involvement, during the 11 day event

Move towards Market Culture

Lobbying for state funding

Create competition among city and counties

local business involvement (vendors, restaurants, food trucks, and

produce markets)

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Challenges of Assessment:

Lack of access to additional department heads

Lack of access to Board of Directors

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Questions?

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