"The 60 members of the Special Attractions Committee are a special group of people by design," said Mike Blasingame, officer in charge. "When the Show [leaders] decided it was time to have a committee to support this growing area, we handpicked individuals who we knew had good people skills. We needed good diplomats because this is such an important new area for the Show."
People skills are important because committee members act as liaisons with the entertainers who perform in the various venues, with the vendors who operate the attractions and with the families who visit AGVENTURE Plaza. Committee members handle logistics for the entertainers at the Wild West Show, the Hideout and the Double E Plaza. They also work crowd control for the pig races, the petting zoos and all AGVENTURE Grandstand events. "This is such a great new area, and we're really proud to be part of it," said David Gressett, committee chairman. "We've got something for everybody out here, from families with young children to adults who want a late-night entertainment venue. And you don't have to have a ticket to the rodeo to participate." According to Gressett, many of the attractions for young children have now been consolidated into AGVENTURE Plaza, including two of the petting zoos, the pig races and the Wild West Show, all of which were previously spread out in different areas. His committee members coordinate logistics with various exhibits, which demonstrate the growth stages of chickens, how bees make honey and how wool is spun. Families also can see a sow with her piglets, baby chicks hatching and goats in a specially constructed natural-type environment. Committee members are proud of both the Rodeo University, where visitors can learn how rodeo events are judged, and the "Dome Experience," a mini dome, where one can get the feeling of being on the Astrodome floor during the rodeo. AGVENTUREPlaza also has a new attraction for adults, the Hideout, which features live entertainment and dancing in the Grandstand tent. According to Gressett, this has been especially popular after the rodeo for adults who want to continue their evening's entertainment. Committee members work closely with the Corral Club Committee, which manages the Hideout; with the Safety Committee on crowd control; with the Directions and Assistance Committee on tours and lost children; and with fire marshal representatives to ensure all entrances and exits are clear and accessible. Of course, Special Attractions Committee staff coordinator, Gina Ritter, also works closely with the committee. Ritter schedules all of the exhibitors and entertainers with whom the committee works. "We feel like we are ambassadors for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to all of the thousands of people who come through AGVENTURE Plaza every day," Gressett remarked. "And we feel like that gives us a special role to play in making the Show a success."
|
|||||
Letters and comments should be sent to: |
|||||
