Austin, TX (January 14, 2012)- Lynn Griffin, former manager of the Tri-State Fair & Rodeo was inducted into the Texas Association of Fairs & Events (TAF&E) Hall of Fame during their annual convention and trade show on January 12-14. Mr. Griffin served as President of the TAF&E in 1984 during his 17 years with the Tri-State Fair & Rodeo.
The Austin Chamber of Commerce recruited Griffin to become manager of their agriculture department in 1956 after his employment as a county extension agent in Texas. Griffin went to work along with county agents, agriculture science teachers and Austin leaders in resurrecting the Austin Livestock Show which has grown to the Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo, today.
Griffin served as manager of the San Antonio Livestock Show for a short time before Rex Baxter and the leadership of the Tri-State Fair recruited Griffin to follow Rex Baxter as manager.
During Griffin’s tenure at the Tri-State Fair & Rodeo he brought some of the biggest names in country music to the Panhandle, including George Strait, Alabama, the Statler Brothers, Oakridge Boys, Charlie Pride, Ray Price and Mel Tillis.
Griffin also committed more than $1 Million to infrastructure improvements at the Exposition grounds but also posted a profit each year of his tenure to fund this growth.
“I am truly honored that the association recognized me in the manner they did and gave me the award,” said Lynn Griffin. “The association was advantageous to me as I hope I was to them.”
Friends, family and Exposition board members were gathered to honor Griffin when the awards were presented
TAF&E is a non-profit trade association for Texas fair and festival professional, volunteers and suppliers that began in 1926. In 2001, TAF&E created its professional awards program to recognize the highest level of industry excellence in the state. For more information about TAF&E, please visit www.texasfair.com.
Austin, TX (January 14, 2012)-Virgil Bartlett, general manager of the Amarillo Tri-State Exposition was named Manager/Professional of the Year by the Texas Association of Fairs & Events (TAF&E) during their annual convention and trade show on January 12-15, 2012.
Bartlett has served as manager of the Amarillo Tri-State Exposition and the Tri-State Fair & Rodeo since March of 2001. The Exposition suffered from antiquated infrastructure and lack of vision. “With the help of our board of directors, volunteers and fair attendees we have been able to turn things around at the fairgrounds. People tend to see us as the nine day Tri-State Fair & Rodeo but actually we are here year round promoting Amarillo and the facilities here at the Exposition grounds,” said Bartlett. “With the money that is raised each year at the fair and rodeo (annual fundraiser for the Exposition) we have the ability to upgrade our facilities and continue to make Amarillo a place that people from across the United States want to hold their event at.”
Bartlett is also active in the Randall County 4-H Program and has been awarded the prestigious State 4-H Alumni Award. A leader in the Coors Cowboy Club he is also active with the Eveline Rivers Christmas Project and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Friends, colleagues and Exposition board members were gathered to surprise Bartlett when the awards were presented.
TAF&E is a non-profit trade association for Texas fair and festival professional, volunteers and suppliers that began in 1926. In 2001, TAF&E created its professional awards program to recognize the highest level of industry excellence in the state. For more information about TAF&E, please visit www.texasfair.com.