Growing up raising purebred hogs on his family’s farm, Gary Slater always envisioned using his agricultural degree from the University of Missouri as a farmer. Today, however, he is in charge of making sure the Iowa State Fair lives up to the expectations of more than 1 million people. His interest in state fairs began when became livestock supervisor for the Missouri State Fair out of college. After five years, he returned to school to get a master’s degree in food science and nutrition and then joined the Iowa fair as manager of scholarships, solicitations, free entertainment and off-season events. After being recruited by the World Pork Expo, he became that event’s manager before returning to Missouri to manage its state fair. Then six years ago, he was offered the manager position at the Iowa State Fair, followed by CEO in 2002. Achieving his career goal, Slater cannot imagine moving on to do anything else.

What do you enjoy about your position?

First of all, I believe in agriculture. The fair industry is in the entertainment business, but we also have a role in education about agriculture. I believe that kids need to know where their food and fiber come from. Number two, I love the fairgoers, especially in Iowa, because Iowans love their state fair. I believe that we have 2.8 million people in Iowa and a million of them come to the Iowa State Fair. There’re almost 6 million people in Missouri, but only 300,000 come to the Missouri State Fair. The third thing is the network of fairs across the nation. I’m in touch with the managers of other fairs through our International Association of Fairs, which I’ve been on the board of directors of. The fair industry is unique because we don’t really feel like we compete with each other. We often share ideas.

Is it intimidating to be in charge of such a large event?

Yes. It is such a long-standing tradition that you certainly want to make sure you do right for the fair. I don’t know that I shy away from it, but certainly I think long and hard because I want to make sure that what we do enhances the fair and doesn’t take away from it.

What is your favorite food on a stick?

Pork chop on a stick.

What is your favorite thing to do at the fair?

I like the draft horse show. The six-horse hitch is probably my favorite. I like watching the families put the horses together and watch the horses as they work together and ride around the ring.

What’s one of best skills you bring to the job?

Probably a practical common-sense approach and I’m a quick learner. I can help solve problems in an efficient manner.

What would you say has been your biggest achievement?

We broke the million-person mark for the first time four years ago and we topped the million mark each of the last four years. Putting together a remarkable campaign with the staff; I don’t do it alone, that’s for sure. I’ve got the best staff of any fair in the country. Also the capital improvements that continue to happen. Mr. [Marion] Lucas [the fair’s CEO from 1986 to 2002] started that campaign 12 to 13 years ago and I’ve been able to help continue that with the Varied Industries Building completed in my first year here and then this year the completion of the new stage.

How do you define success?

I don’t think success is in terms of attendance. When you have an outdoor event, sometimes the weather is not going to allow you to have as many people as other years. I think success is defined more in terms of logistics as having satisfied fairgoers headed home after a hard long day at the fair and thinking what a wonderful day they’ve had. If that’s what the majority of them say, then we’ve had a successful year.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

You don’t have many pet peeves in this position really. You get lots of questions. The old saying that no question is a stupid question is true, but I’ll say that we get a lot of interesting questions.

What do you like to do apart from your job?

I have three children, Madeline, Ali and Andrew, who all play soccer. That activity along with activities at St. Joseph’s Church certainly keeps my wife Mary and me busy. I also like golf and water sports.

– Sarah Bzdega