Arabian Horse Show an Economic Win
ALL SMILES: Area and Arabian Horse Association leaders are happy about the renewed agreement. From left are Mark Andrus, president and CEO of Expo Square; Glenn Petty, executive vice president of the AHA; Fred Perry, Tulsa County Commissioner; Bill Hughes, chairman of the US National Arabian and Half Arabian Champion Horse Show; and Karen Keith, Tulsa County Commissioner.
GTR Newspapers photo
Mark Andrus, president and of Expo Square, and Ray Hoyt, senior vice president of VisitTulsa and the Tulsa Sports Commission, have announced that the Arabian Horse Association () penned a new five-year agreement with the two entities, extending the prestigious US National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show’s presence in Tulsa through 2017. Andrus and Hoyt were joined by officials from Tulsa County, the City of Tulsa, the Tulsa Metro Chamber and the to announce the new contract.
The Tulsa region out-performed a number of competing cities hoping to host the event, boasting premier facilities at Expo Square and high-quality services provided by VisitTulsa that assisted in keeping the $35.3 million annual economic stimulus in the local economy.
“The Arabian Horse Association looks forward to continuing the wonderful relationship has enjoyed with Tulsa since first coming here in 2008,” says Lance Walters, president of the Arabian Horse Association. “Contributing to our decision to stay in Tulsa is Expo Square’s continued commitment to improvements and service to our exhibitors and the wonderful relationship we have with VisitTulsa.”
The US National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show garners an estimated 175,000 attendees. This prestigious competition showcases the finest of the breed, highlighting the equestrian culture in multiple classes over an exciting nine days each October. The new agreement solidifies the partnership for an additional five years, extending the original contract for a total of 10 years and garnering $350 million in total economic impact.
“One of the things that I appreciate the most about Tulsa is the willingness of the Expo Square facility and the VisitTulsa staff to work with us to make our show such a success,” says Bill Hughes, chairman of the US National Arabian and Half-Arabian championship horse show.
The includes a 33,000-member equine association that registers and maintains a database of more than one million Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses. It administers approximately $4 million in annual prize money, produces national events, maintains official event records, recognizes more than 400 Arabian horse shows and distance rides and provides activities and programs that promote breeding and ownership.
“Tulsa is just a good fit,” says Glenn Petty, executive vice president of the Arabian Horse show. “Central to the country for our exhibitors; a facility, Expo Square, that is continually modernizing its facilities; and a welcoming community led by VisitTulsa – that the Arabian Horse Association loves partnering with.”
For more information on these organizations or the US National Arabian and Half-Arabian Horse Show, visit www.exposquare.com, www.visittulsa.com or www.arabianhorses.org.
Updated 05-21-2012
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