Bill Ogg Interview: Know How He Became a Fair Manager

Bill Ogg Interview: Insights from a Former State Fair Manager

CoolKay –Hi I’m Karen from County Fairgrounds USA County Fairgrounds.net Welcome to today’s podcast County Fairgrounds and CoolKay here. Do I have the the uh director of Emeritus from the Nebraska State Fair in the line with me?

Bill Ogg –sure do How are you today?

CoolKay – Busy

Bill Ogg – Well good for you I guess that’s that’s always good to be busy rather than the alternative

CoolKay – Hi Bill …Uh so how long were you in charge – Uh…. Manager of the Nebraska State Fair?

Bill Ogg – Three years Ok

CoolKay – Ok And before that

Bill Ogg – before that uh I’ve moved in the industry quite a bit I was at the Walla Walla Fair in frontier days for several years, and the Greeley Independent Stampede and the Montana Wyoming and Kansas State Fairs each for about 5 to 8 years

CoolKay – My goodness You’ve certainly gotten around haven’t you

Bill Ogg – Or if if my kids say I can’t hold a job So that’s uh

CoolKay – one way to look at it too – So what are you up to now I have to ask that

Bill Ogg – Well still very much interested in the fair business Uh have uh been doing some speaking at state and zone meetings for the International Association of Affairs And expositions and looking to see what’s out there But uh also considering how how best I can – you know take care of of those uh desires,

and and interest in in the fair industry Um you know plus you know thinking about maybe being a grandpa better And so yeah well I’m certainly interested in the industry I’ve been at it since 1998 So um

CoolKay – um ok All right So how did you how did you get started with this Have you ever done anything else

Bill Ogg –

Actually probably not Um I thought I was gonna return to the family farm and ranch right out of uh college and that opportunity was not there And so I went to graduate school – um in Louisiana I grew up in Wyoming and went to graduate school at the Louisiana State University and shout out to their girls basketball team.

But uh uh so was very much looking for a job back in the Rocky Mountain region and I had a very active 4h and FFA career as a youth And at that point in time the long time manager of the Wyoming State Fair was retiring,

and several of the board members of the State Fair Board were former county agents and FFA advisers that remembered me as a youth and collegiate uh person So asked me to apply And um I did so um basically out of ignorance of that side of the desk you know it had been a and uh not on the management side,

And uh you know the reality is after about 68 months in the job I I fell in love with it as a vocation and have been in it ever since. So

CoolKay – I’m I’m confused That’s the first job you had was like state Fair manager

Bill Ogg – Well again I grew up on a farm and ranch and so working was was not uh an an item or an issue.

We we had plenty of work to do And then I worked as a graduate student um at the university and had some occasional part-time jobs off the farm But yes literally starting at the Wyoming State Fair at age 26 was my first full time job out of college

CoolKay – as a state fair manager?

Bill Ogg – Yes ma’am

CoolKay – That’s weird I never I didn’t know you could do that

Bill Ogg – Well I’m not sure anybody else thought they could either but it uh it worked out and I was accused of being older than my years for for most of my life So OK So

CoolKay – how did how did how did you handle that I mean the Wyoming State Fair is a pretty big fair I know that And

Bill Ogg – so and and again like I said I grew up in the state and and exhibited there for years Um so loved it And um I substituted I think some some hard work and, uh research and interest and and genuine commitment for you know an inherent knowledge,

And I think that was recognized as being sincere and I had some wonderful mentors who guided me uh as a as a young person in that position And many of them were um as we call service members some were entertainers But uh you know the rodeo stock contractor,

and uh you know and and I’ll be happy to name I and and uh on many of the others Reg Kessler and and you know uhmany many folks there the late Jack Hunter uh what a what an awesome mentor and individual and and personal friend he became to myself and my family and he’s provided uh sound,

and announcing duties for many many fairs across the uh eastern Rocky Mountain region And uh had done that for years and years and um he took me under his wing and and I think was was very good and then some fellow fair managers and then the late Bill,

and uh you know in Great Falls and then in Billings Montana and Jerry Iverson from North Dakota State Fair and and many others And as I became active in the uh you know our professional association the uh Rocky Mountain Association Affairs,

and then the I A F E um others in in the industry uh became really invaluable assets and and advisor

CoolKay – So how long were you manager at the Wyoming State Fair?

Bill Ogg – Uh Nine years there And then on to uh the Montana State Fair in Great Falls for eight years and then then to Kansas and then back to uh to Great Falls that I’m uh working for a private management company,

And that was a uh a unique but uh great experience and learning curve in that respect and uh than to the Greeley Independent Stampede for a nonprofit uh source association.

So you know I’ve had the opportunity and I guess responsibility to work for county and and state uh political agencies as as well as private management and nonprofit groups

CoolKay – and the and the Nebraska State Fair

Bill Ogg – right. It’s a uh arms length division of state government but it is a uh a nonprofit corporation in its own right.

And um the fair board here is um half appointed by the governor and then half elected from the Nebraska Association affair managers So a pretty interesting and um potentially very good blend of of uh leadership there

CoolKay – Hey Mr Bill how old are you?

Bill Ogg – I’m 69

CoolKay – Oh ok Well you could still you probably still got another state fair on you don’t you

Bill Ogg – Well it’s tempting CoolKay – It really is – I again I I genuinely like the industry and feel that I still got something to offer and um still have a a strong work ethic and and ability to get up and get going

CoolKay – Ok So you wanna tell our audience and this would be an interesting thing exactly what a state fair manager primarily does

Bill Ogg – a combination of referee and uh baby sitter

CoolKay – I would imagine Yeah

Bill Ogg – I look at at the fair and it it it really doesn’t matter if it’s the state fair or you you know most any of our wonderful county fairs

You are in the manager the CEO executive director The title is irrelevant to me but you are have the opportunity and responsibility to be the conductor for this orchestra That’s so important to that community which that fair serves.

And of course for a state fair it’s a large community could be you know across state lines and in fact not just the state – but it’s so diverse in terms of of the constituency that that needs to be served .

That’s what makes the job I think challenging but also very rewarding and exciting,

And the fair has the obligation to be that annual showcase of what that community and and again using the word community in a broad sense what that community has produced that year the cattle the cookies the quilts as as I affectionately say but not only that it’s the representation of the culture of that community What talent you know is is out there and and showcases at the fair,

and what new technology and uh industry you know what what new tractor or new television or new you know computer can be on display at that fair and you know what new uh uh wonderful fair food might be available.

So what the fair manager has to do or gets to do is assemble a team of people that can conduct that. And I I think they uh the analogy to an orchestra has merit because you’ve got various skills and disciplines among your you know your players in the orchestra,

And so getting them to coordinate and communicate and play together uh literally play and work I think that’s your your primary job Plus you’re you’re serving that community and all at the uh pleasure of a fair board that can uh change dramatically and politically.

CoolKay – Mm I’ve interviewed a lot of state fair managers in the past years and I’ve often wondered about that because you know there’s other activities that go on at the state fairgrounds besides the state fair. Were you responsible for those I would presume

Bill Ogg – and most of the uh uh most of the location certainly was. And I look at that as as very important the the fair is the again to use an agrarian uh analogyIt’s your harvest,

And again one of my great vendors uh Ralph Hines from the Los Angeles County fair years ago Um you know the fair was 80% of their annual revenue and they worked so hard to build the non fair,

And years later the fair was still 80% even though the non fair had grown exponentially.

It it raised the fair attendance and fair revenues you know proportionately the as well The fair is such an invitation to get people And of course it’s uh the closer the radius the the more likely it is to come But to get those people to come to the grounds to to see the buildings,

and the facilities and that just makes it you know much more useful of course for the fair as a revenue stream and public relations tool non fair But then it’s also very inviting for those folks to feel very comfortable and knowledgeable to come back during the annual fair event.

So to me the the non fair exposure and is a uh – uh a due diligence that we owe our communities. But it’s also a huge marketing tool and opportunity to again get those people to come back to the fair. Yeah a lot of these

CoolKay – Fairs have a huge absolutely huge attendance So, I have noticed that but you know I’ve also wondered about you know sometimes access to some of these fairs is kind of difficult Um How did you deal with some of that

Bill Ogg – Well in terms of just physical access

CoolKay – Yeah

Bill Ogg – certainly And you know communities develop and and build over time and sometimes it it gets to be uh a challenge and for any of these institutions uh the Nebraska State Fair using it as a prime example for 100 and uh 35 years It was located in the state capital there on the eastern side of the state the University of Nebraska again a very important,

and uh you know state institution uh as well was surrounding the fairgrounds and needed that space to expand their campus And so the fair was relocated you know 90 miles to the west and more central Nebraska and now in Grand Island for the past 14 years but the access point is critical and and uh – you know in in many ways the fair is a a business.

And so you know that uh adage about location location location you know accessibility has to be important And as these fairs grow many of us have resorted to maybe uh with no increase of on site parking due to being landlocked for various reasons have resorted to you know outside transportation,

and hosting people and allowing them to park at a you know an offsite mall or in again in in a lot of fairs case at a university or college campus which you know as most fairs are in the summer time those parking spaces are generally less cluttered or or needed you know at the time of the fair,

And so as an offsite parking area and then shuttle those people to the fair either for a modest charge or for free

CoolKay – So Mr Bill do you have any kids You have kids?

Bill Ogg – We have we have uh four Children and uh they’re grown now and and uh two of them have have children of their own and um again proud of them and and uh their accomplishments – Uh my wife Patty and I had uh three state FFA officers .

All four of our kids went to the national 4-H = congress uh oh on uh state and and most were on national uh successful judging teams.

And that in 4h and FFA so those youth organizations have been a tremendous part of my life personally And now as a parent and uh and more important than than those kids accomplishments now as young adults they’re giving back,

and you know coaching uh their kids and and others in in soccer and little league and basketball and 4h and and that that’s really uh uh impressive and we’re grateful for for them being good stewards and good citizens in their own right.

CoolKay – So have any of them had a desire to be a state fair manager?

Bill Ogg – I think they uh watched the pain and suffering of their dad – you know but I did that actually um in a indirect way.

Again, I kind of alluded to it there but um – two are very active as 4H leaders and engaging and hosting livestock shows on their area uh fairgrounds.

One’s vocation is an event coordinator for a uh a major ag industry uh association. And so you know planning those those conventions,

and planning those field days and and et cetera is much like the work that a fair manager does in the you know hospitality entertainment and exhibition industry.

CoolKay – Mmm – You were just in an unusual position to get that first state fair management thing weren’t you?

Bill Ogg – And uh you you know as as I get older I’m not gonna use the word mature but certainly um

CoolKay – I’m older than you Bill

Bill Ogg – I don’t know anybody that’s that old Oh

CoolKay – well thanks

Bill Ogg – Things happen for a reason and uh I’m less you know uh accepting or believing in in coincidence .

Um,.you know now we set ourselves up and and we can make mistakes and and do things right that we can own some responsibility for But a lot of times uh I think there’s a bigger plan out there that’s out of our awareness that happens to set us up for hopefully where we’re supposed to be

CoolKay – Well I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this interview and you might just end up as another State Fair manager don’t you think

Bill Ogg – You know I’d be untruthful if I said I wouldn’t be interested in that – Um again I think I’ve still got something to offer and but I’m gonna I’m gonna be a little bit more selective I guess – Uh and and not not just um environment in terms of location you know there are parts of the country I’d prefer to live and and not to live but more importantly is the culture of the fair.

Uh I would love t to assist in an environment that may have struggles and challenges I mean inherently any small business has that uh challenge and a and a fair is is very much like that But I want a a culture of people that love their fare as much as I would love it.

And – um – some sometimes people serve on boards and and etcetera for their own agendas and you know for personal or political benefit and that type of environment and culture is is nothing that I would be attracted to anymore.

CoolKay – Well my main objective here has been to try to help county and state fairs and county fairs throughout the country and I’ve done it for years and years So I can sort of really understand where you’re coming from.

Bill Ogg – and you are a great asset and and what you’re uh you know doing helps fairs and certainly then helps – uh – the supporters and interaction of fairs particularly in our entertainment,

and service industries that are so critical to the success of any fair And so I personally and professionally appreciate what you’ve done and continue to do

CoolKay – I try I really do try. I don’t know what else to ask you you got any other input you wanna put in

Bill Ogg – Well just as and and I know that uh you know we’re kind of preaching to the choir here because frankly the uh the bulk of the listenership or readership is people would have some familiarity with fairs already.

But I guess as a message to those folks that are in fair management and or serving the fair as entertainers or concessionaires or exhibitors don’t weaken it It’s it’s a worthy uh activity and and stay the course,

and you know again avail yourself of other people to – uh make the fewest amount of mistakes that you can make on your own and and then have the the success and and you know rewards and return that that you need from that association with the fair to survive

CoolKay – Hey you you must have met some really famous people like some famous entertainers and things right ?

Bill Ogg – I have – and again um it’s interesting in that I was never a uh – a groupie or whatever and and in terms of you know some people really insist on getting a a picture with the artist and that type of thing But um these folks are professionals,

and they’re working so hard up and down the road and and I just tried to leave them alone and um hopefully they would put on a a good show or you know and and that uh – that was plenty enough for you know what my expectations personally was from them.

But again some of the mentors in the industry uh = Bob Romeo with you know Romeo and entertainment group and and then family thereafter if if some of the locations uh they insisted that that I come and meet the entertainer.

And uh and basically as a hospitality guest – guest here in that. And so yes I had the opportunity to uh you know spend nearly an hour on Garth Brooks bus back in the early nineties.

It was it was phenomenal what a what an intelligent person you know um uh smart entertainer smart marketer uh very candidly and and I would and I think I even told Garth is maybe not the the the most superb musician or singer entertainer what a genuine sincere entertainer – and how successful that was because of I think that sincerity,

and and genuineness and uh you know Reba McTire – uh years ago sat in our we lived on the fairgrounds in Wyoming .

So I’m going back into the early eighties now and uh and and her sister sat at our dining room table and jiggled our our oldest daughter as a baby at that point on their lap.

And and so yes ma’am – and and again I’m throwing out old names I know but frankly those are the most memorable but the the Charlie s the Charlie Daniels the what what good people at least my experience with them uh was very wholesome.

– Um And so yeah and then certainly uh some of the the the the newer ones if you will because you you peaked my uh my memory there a little bit,

and I had to think that you know Tim McGraw and uh Faith Hill um – basically announced their engagement and forthcoming wedding at the Montana State Fair while we were there And uh just some some huge and and very cool memories from that

CoolKay – Ok Well it sounds to me like you need another job Bill

Bill Ogg – Oh there’s plenty to do that’s for sure

CoolKay – Oh believe me I know that

Ok I’ve enjoyed talking to you very much and we’ll get this posted and thank you

Bill Ogg – Thank you Cool Keep up the good work

CoolKay – I try Bye bye bye

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