Many people are familiar with the special events that go on in the Astrohall and Astroarena during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. But, few people realize all of the work that's involved in making sure these events go smoothly. "That's the responsibility of the Events and Functions Committee," said Show Vice President and officer in charge Jerry Hickman. "No one hears about these people, and no one sees them, but they do a fantastic job." The committee is a small, but mighty, force. Every year, its 25 members work behind the scenes to coordinate more than 100 events held during the Show. The job may be as simple as setting up tables and chairs for a committee meeting or as complicated as supervising a major affair like the Junior Market Steer Auction breakfast. But whatever the event is, this committee is there to help ensure its success. In 1989, the Show began utilizing the new space made available by the expansion of the Astroarena, and the number of events mushroomed. "With so many activities and so many people involved, we needed to have some way to make it all come together," said Events and Functions Committee Chairman Terry Kalhoefer. Two years later, in 1991, the Events and Functions Committee was founded to provide the needed volunteers to support the Show's special events office. The committee's function begins in January, when it receives the "all-activities schedule" from the special events office. The committee works closely with that department and with any committees involved in order to learn specific requirements for each event. On the day of a function, committee members arrive early for the set up. "We have a diagram of the room showing where everything is supposed to be," explained Kalhoefer. "For major events, we'll coordinate with catering, decorating, the Corral Clubs, audiovisual technicians and electrical contractors. Basically, our job is to make sure the room is set up according to plan."
With this kind of attention, the Show's special events are inevitably a huge success. But making that happen isn't always easy. Event times and locations can change at a moment's notice, so the committee receives daily updates and adapts its schedule accordingly. "We have to be a very flexible committee," said Kalhoefer. On some days, several events may be scheduled simultaneously. And, on any given day, several events may be scheduled in the same room. "We do a lot of quick turnaround," said Kalhoefer. "Whatever is happening, we arrive on the scene to set up, stay afterwards to tear it down, then start the process all over again." As the Show has grown, so has the work of the Events and Functions Committee. Today, it works with the Show's special events office to oversee all of the pre-sale breakfasts, receptions, and banquets that honor out-of-town dignitaries. In addition, the committee sets up the ballroom where participants register for the rodeo grand entry. The committee works from the time the lights go on at the Show until the lights go off. The committee's chairman, its three captains and its two vice chairmen each put in 80 to 100 hours during each Show. Other committee members may work 40 to 60 hours. "It's a hectic job, but it has a lot of rewards," said Kalhoefer. "People come to the Show from all over the world, and we want to make it as pleasurable for them as possible." Members of the Events and Functions Committee are truly among the unsung heroes of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. As the saying goes, "the show must go on." And thanks to this committee, a big part of the Show does go on, and it always goes on smoothly. |
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