Southwestern Exposition And Livestock Show Hold Annual Meeting

The Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show’s membership gathered yesterday for their annual meeting that encompassed annual reports and addressed business matters pertaining to the 2013 Show. The annual meeting also allowed for the election of officers, four new executive committee members, seven new directors and the elevation of five honorary vice presidents.

Newly elected executive committee members include: Matt Carter, Debra Johnson Head, Robert H. Merrill and Philip C. Williamson. New directors include: Jeff Conner, Josh Harbuck, Brian Luig, Bill Mobly, Gordon Roberts, Rosario Villalpando and Adam Waldeck. Elevated to the position of honorary vice president was John B. Collier, IV, elected to the board in 1987, L.O. Brightbill III, John Earl Seelig, Vernell Sturns and Frank P. Talley, Jr., all of whom were elected to the board in 1988. All other directors and officers were re-elected including Bradford S. Barnes – president and general manager; Edward P. Bass – chairman of the board; Charlie Geren – vice president; Charlie Moncrief – secretary, Randy Rogers – treasurer and W.R. “Bob” Watt, Jr. – president emeritus.

Bradford S. Barnes, president and general manager, summarized the highlights of the 2013 Show, attributing the banner year to the region’s favorable weather experienced during the run of the Show, similar to 2012. The unseasonably mild weather and enthusiastic crowds proved to be just what Fort Worth’s largest annual event needed to experience success in all respects.

Estimated attendance numbers were over the million-mark for the second consecutive year, totaling over 1,148,400 visitors. Total livestock entries tallied 24,211 with exhibitors traveling from 44 states, Austria, France, Canada and Mexico. 11,231 of our total livestock entries represent Junior exhibitors from 240 counties across Texas – a 7.9% increase from 2012.

Barnes noted, “We never want our guests to leave the grounds saying it was the same old thing. We highlighted numerous new features this year, including the all-new parade seating and Jr. Ag Mechanics competition, locator maps on the grounds and the PRCA rodeo’s Score It! app., just to name a few.  Now, we are looking forward to 2014 and are busy making plans for it to be even bigger and better.”

The 2014 Stock Show will take place from January 17 through February 8. For more information call 817-877-2420 or visit www.fwssr.com.