Ozark Empire Fair
Ozark Empire Fairgrounds & Event Center is a 76-acre Springfield, Missouri nonprofit-run multi-venue complex hosting the annual Ozark Empire Fair and 100+ other events annually across exhibition halls, arenas, and livestock facilities, serving regional families, corporate event organizers, livestock exhibitors, and commercial vendors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1937
- HeadquartersSpringfield, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Ozark Empire Fair does
Ozark Empire Fairgrounds & Event Center is a 76-acre multi-purpose venue complex located in Springfield, Missouri, operated by The Greene County Agricultural and Mechanical Society of Springfield, Missouri, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity in operation since 1937. It hosts the flagship annual Ozark Empire Fair (the 90th edition is scheduled for July 30–August 8, 2026) plus more than 100 additional events each year, including livestock shows, concerts, rodeos, monster truck shows, trade shows, corporate events, and food festivals. The complex encompasses over 100,000 square feet of indoor space across the E*Plex (85,100 sq ft of clear-span exhibit halls), the Wilson Logistics Arena (100,000 sq ft, 6,300+ seats, opened January 2024), the Central Buildings Event Center (45,000 sq ft, fully enclosed in 2022), the Wheeler Pavilion (completed Fall 2024), livestock barns, show arenas, an 8,000-seat Grandstand, and on-site parking for ~4,000 vehicles.
Revenue is generated through six streams: facility rentals (E*Plex, Arena, barns, outdoor spaces) to corporate event organizers, agricultural exhibitors, and wedding clients; ticket sales for fair admission and grandstand entertainment; in-house food and beverage via Ozark Empire Catering and on-site restaurants (Stockyard Smokehouse, Cattlemen's Beef Quarters, Triple S Properties Bar and Grill); commercial vendor space rentals during the annual fair; carnival midway rides and games; and corporate sponsorships from regional brands including KY3, Great Southern Bank, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Wilson Logistics, Hardee's, Mercy, and Dairy Farmers of America. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the company's website, social channels, and on-site box office (with Saffire ticketing and Stubwire for reserved seating), alongside direct B2B sales for facility rentals through an RFP process.
The organization does not publicly disclose financials but reported $29.7M in local economic impact for FY2016–17 (per a Missouri State University study) and 608,000 visitors in 2019. Operations are supported by a separate 501(c)(3), the Ozark Empire Fair Foundation (formed 2003), which has awarded ~$2.17M to youth in agriculture and provided over $1.7M in facility improvements. Aaron Owen serves as CEO and Casey Owen as General Manager; the company employs 101–250 people.
Ozark Empire Fair firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ozark Empire Fair
- Legal name
- The Greene County Agricultural and Mechanical Society of Springfield, Missouri
- Website
- https://ozarkempirefair.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1937
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Ozark Empire Fairgrounds & Event Center is a 76-acre Springfield, Missouri nonprofit-run multi-venue complex hosting the annual Ozark Empire Fair and 100+ other events annually across exhibition halls, arenas, and livestock facilities, serving regional families, corporate event organizers, livestock exhibitors, and commercial vendors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ozark Empire Fair industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Event Venue and Fairground Operations
- NAICS
- Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131), Amusement and Theme Parks (713110), Racetracks (711212)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fairgrounds & Expo Parks (THAHAAAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Festival Grounds & Fairgrounds Operations (MPAGALAH), Multipurpose Event Center Operations (Civic Centers, Community Event Complexes) (MPAGALAE), Sports & Arena Event Venues (Stadiums, Arenas) (THAHAAAF), Equestrian & Rodeo Facilities (MPAKAEAM), Arena & Stadium Operations (Large-Capacity Venues) (MPAGALAA)
Keywords
Where Ozark Empire Fair is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Springfield
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ozark Empire Fair business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from admission tickets to the annual Ozark Empire Fair and grandstand events, including concerts, rodeos, and monster truck shows
- Facility Rentals: Rental income from event organizers renting the E*Plex, Wilson Logistics Arena, barns, and outdoor spaces for trade shows, weddings, corporate events, and livestock shows year-round
- Food & Beverage Services: In-house Ozark Empire Catering provides catering services and concessions; includes Stockyard Smokehouse restaurant, Cattlemen's Beef Quarters, and mobile concession stands
- Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships from local businesses including Hardee's, KY3, Great Southern Bank, O'Reilly Auto Parts, and other regional companies displayed throughout the fairgrounds
- Vendor Space Rental: Revenue from commercial vendors renting space in West Hall and outdoor areas during the annual fair
- Carnival Midway: Revenue from carnival rides, game booths, and food vendors during the annual fair event
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Fair Admission - Weekday |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Ride Wristbands - Weekdays |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Ride Wristbands - Weekend |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Parking |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Ozark Empire Fair product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Ozark Empire Fairgrounds & Event Center operates a 76-acre multi-purpose event venue complex that hosts over 100 events annually, including its flagship annual Ozark Empire Fair, livestock exhibitions, trade shows, concerts, rodeos, and corporate events. The facility rents indoor and outdoor spaces (E*Plex, Wilson Logistics Arena, barns, pavilions) to event organizers and provides on-site catering through Ozark Empire Catering. The organization also operates restaurants (Stockyard Smokehouse, Cattlemen's Beef Quarters, Triple S Properties Bar and Grill) and concession services across the fairgrounds.
Product overview
Ozark Empire Fairgrounds & Event Center is a 76-acre multi-venue complex offering over 100,000 square feet of indoor space for diverse events. The core venue portfolio includes the E*Plex exhibition center (85,100 sq ft with East/West/Center halls), Wilson Logistics Arena (100,000 sq ft seating 6,400+), Noel Boyd Youth Livestock Facility, Wells Arena, Central Buildings Event Center, and livestock barns including the Wheeler Pavilion. Food & beverage operations encompass in-house Ozark Empire Catering, the Stockyard Smokehouse restaurant, Cattlemen's Beef Quarters, and Maui Wowi Hawaiian Smoothies partnership. Annual programming includes the Ozark Empire Fair (July 30-August 8, 2026), Gold Buckle Gala (youth livestock auction), Ag-Venture Camp, and over 100 other events year-round.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Gold Buckle Gala: Annual signature event of the Ozark Empire Fair Foundation featuring livestock auction, silent auction, reception, dinner, and live auction. Since inception in 2004, nearly $2,170,267.30 has been awarded to youth in agriculture.
- Ozark Empire Catering
- Stockyard Smokehouse
- Cattlemen's Beef Quarters
- Maui Wowi Hawaiian Smoothies
- Triple S Properties Bar and Grill
- Little Ranch and Cattle Club
- Ed & Carol Pinegar Ag Learning Center
Products and services
- E*Plex Multi-purpose event, entertainment, and exhibition facility encompassing 85,100 square feet of clear-span exhibit space with three heated and air-conditioned exhibition halls (East, West, and Center Halls) connected by a common Darr Family Lobby, plus an adjacent 8,000-seat Grandstand for outdoor events. Available for trade shows, corporate events, concerts, and exhibitions.
- Wilson Logistics Arena & Ed & Carol Pinegar Ag Learning Center 100,000 square foot arena seating over 6,400 patrons with upper level seating for 2,800+. Designed for trade shows, concerts, sporting events, cheer competition, motor sports, horse shows, livestock shows, and picnics. Includes the VIP Little Ranch and Cattle Club area (up to 300 people) and Triple S Properties Bar and Grill restaurant (130 seats), plus the 10,000 sq ft Ed & Carol Pinegar Ag Learning Center for youth agricultural education.
- Noel Boyd Youth Livestock Facility Open-air, covered arena with dirt floor show ring measuring 90' x 120', with portable bleachers seating for 100 people. Designed specifically for youth livestock exhibitions.
- Wells Arena Arena measuring 81' wide by 105' long, seating 150 people. Often used as a warm-up facility for larger livestock events.
- Central Buildings Event Center 45,000 square foot enclosed pavilion in the North Woods area, now fully enclosed with heat and 18 roll-up doors for year-round use. Can hold up to 700 head of cattle or 150 horse stalls.
- Wheeler Pavilion Open-aired pavilion measuring 120x120, completed Fall 2024. Designed to stall cattle, small stock, and equine with space for 269 head of cattle including a wash rack.
- Ozark Empire Catering In-house catering company providing quality food and drink service with a full service banquet kitchen, capable of serving events from 20-30 people up to 1,800+ guests. Includes a fully equipped mobile kitchen trailer for off-site events.
- Stockyard Smokehouse Newly renovated event venue holding 20-80 people indoors plus an outdoor patio for an additional 80 people. Features full bar service and catering capabilities with a rustic atmosphere showcasing memorabilia from the old Union Stockyards.
- Cattlemen's Beef Quarters Event space sponsored by Hancock Cattle, accommodating up to 100 seated or 200 standing. Renovated in Summer 2021 with a rustic feel and a fully stocked bar option.
- Ozark Empire Fair (Annual)
Companies that use Ozark Empire Fair
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Ozark Empire Fair technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Ozark Empire Fair partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Hardee'scoreFood service sponsor with logo displayed on fairgrounds; appears on sponsor recognition page
- KY3coreMajor media sponsor with naming rights to KY3 Grandstand; local television station providing coverage and promotion
- Great Southern BankcoreFinancial sponsor with prominent logo placement; appears on Ozark Empire Fair Sponsors list
- O'Reilly Auto PartsmajorSponsor of Outlaw Nationals Monster Truck Show event
- Wilson LogisticscoreNaming rights sponsor for Wilson Logistics Arena (opened 2024); major capital campaign contributor
- Springfield Area Chamber of CommercemajorCommunity partner supporting fairground operations and regional economic development
- Springfield Convention and Visitors BureaumajorRegional tourism partner promoting fairgrounds as a visitor destination
- Convoy of HopeminorNonprofit community partner; facility provided free of charge for their Holiday Center event
- Hancock CattleminorSponsor of Cattlemen's Beef Quarters venue
- CrosslinesminorNonprofit community partner; facility provided free for their Holiday Center program
- Triple S Properties Bar and GrillmajorRestaurant operator in Wilson Logistics Arena; seats 130 at restaurant tables with full kitchen; available for private events
- MercyminorHealthcare sponsor with logo displayed on sponsor page
- Bobcat of SpringfieldminorEquipment dealer sponsor
- Dairy Farmers of AmericaminorAgricultural sponsor supporting dairy-related activities
- HillyardminorEquipment and supplies sponsor
- Ozark Empire Fair Foundationcore501(c)(3) nonprofit founded 2003 that supports youth in agriculture and improves fairgrounds facilities; has awarded over $1.2 million to youth and $1.7 million in facility improvements
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ozark Empire Fair competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Tulsa State Fair: Major regional fair in Tulsa, OK with a comparable livestock, carnival, and concert programming model and a similar Oklahoma/Missouri border regional attendee base.
- Missouri State Fair: Operates the annual Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, MO, with a comparable mix of livestock exhibitions, carnival midway, grandstand entertainment, and agricultural youth programming — the closest in-state peer to Ozark Empire Fair.
- Arkansas State Fair: Regional state fair in Little Rock, AR offering a similar combination of livestock shows, carnival, concerts, and grandstand entertainment, with overlapping Southwest-Missouri/Southern-US attendee draw.
- Great Southern Bank Arena: Springfield, MO's primary competitor for year-round arena-scale concerts, trade shows, and sporting events — directly contests Ozark Empire Fair's Wilson Logistics Arena for regional event bookings.
- Erie County Agricultural Society (Erie County Fair): Independent county agricultural society operating a large multi-day fair with livestock, concerts, and exhibitions — directly comparable nonprofit-fairground operating model outside the state-fair system.
- JQH Arena: Multi-purpose arena on the Missouri State University campus in Springfield that competes with Ozark Empire Fair for concerts, sporting events, and family entertainment in the same Springfield MSA.
Regional players
- Branson Convention Center: Nearby (≈40 miles) regional convention and event venue in Branson, MO competing for corporate events, trade shows, and entertainment bookings in the same Southwest Missouri/Ozarks region.
Broad incumbents
- Indiana State Fair: Larger, more established Midwestern state fair operating year-round event facilities with a similar mix of livestock, youth programs, and grandstand entertainment — a scaled comparable for venue operations.
- Minnesota State Fair: One of the largest and highest-attended state fairs in the US, providing a benchmark for scaled year-round fairgrounds operations, livestock programming, and diversified revenue at a substantially larger footprint.
Others
- Ozark Empire Fair Foundation: 501(c)(3) fundraising arm of the Ozark Empire Fair itself; included as a structural reference point rather than a competitor — illustrates the affiliated-foundation fundraising model that several large state and county fairs also employ.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ozark Empire Fair social profiles
Digital presenceOzark Empire Fair financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ozark Empire Fair leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Ozark Empire Fair funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ozark Empire Fair M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ozark Empire Fair
What does Ozark Empire Fair do?
The Ozark Empire Fairgrounds & Event Center operates a 76-acre multi-purpose event venue complex that hosts over 100 events annually, including its flagship annual Ozark Empire Fair, livestock exhibitions, trade shows, concerts, rodeos, and corporate events. The facility rents indoor and outdoor spaces (E*Plex, Wilson Logistics Arena, barns, pavilions) to event organizers and provides on-site catering through Ozark Empire Catering. The organization also operates restaurants (Stockyard Smokehouse, Cattlemen's Beef Quarters, Triple S Properties Bar and Grill) and concession services across the fairgrounds.
Is Ozark Empire Fair a public or private company?
Ozark Empire Fair is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Ozark Empire Fair founded?
Ozark Empire Fair was founded in 1937. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Ozark Empire Fair based?
Ozark Empire Fair is headquartered in Springfield, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ozark Empire Fair make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are facility Rentals, food & Beverage Services, sponsorships, vendor Space Rental and carnival Midway.
Who are Ozark Empire Fair's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Tulsa State Fair, Missouri State Fair, Arkansas State Fair, Great Southern Bank Arena, Erie County Agricultural Society (Erie County Fair) and JQH Arena. Branson Convention Center is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Indiana State Fair and Minnesota State Fair. Ozark Empire Fair Foundation is listed as an others.
Does Ozark Empire Fair have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ozark Empire Fair.
What industry is Ozark Empire Fair in?
Ozark Empire Fair's product category is Event Venue and Fairground Operations. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHAAAH, Fairgrounds & Expo Parks, with a secondary code of MPAGALAH, Festival Grounds & Fairgrounds Operations. Its NAICS code is 71131 and its SIC code is 7990.