The Pima County Fairgrounds is currently managed, operated and maintained by the Southwestern Fair Commission, Inc. (SWFC), a private non-profit corporation, and has done so since 1975. In addition to its oversight of the Fairgrounds, SWFC is responsible for producing the annual Pima County Fair, traditionally held in April each year. Fair attendance has doubled in size in the past 10 years from approximately 150,000 to almost 350,000 attendees in 2017.
SWFC operates in an entrepreneurial style relying on generating revenues through facility rental, special event production, sponsorships, product sales, etc. SWFC does not receive funding from Pima County and like most businesses must acquire permits and pay fees for capital improvements, sales, various health department requirements, etc. The main charge of SWFC is to put revenue back into the maintenance and improvement of the Fairground property.
SWFC has developed many important relationships with community organizations. Each year during the annual Fair SWFC operates two can food drives, offers free carnival rides for children who read books to encourage literacy and dedicates a special day at the Fair for children and adults with special needs, among other programs. Currently, SWFC through the Pima County Fair, is working with U of A Extension Service, the City of Gastronomy & Mission Gardens, Monsanto, SARSEF and the U of A College of Science to work now and in the future toward providing increased educational opportunities for fairgoers.
The improvements that are undertaken by SWFC were identified in the 2011 Pima County Fairground Master Plan that identified projects and strategies that will lead to revenue generating opportunities to continue to make capital improvements to the Fairgrounds.
Biography ~ Jon Baker
Jon Baker has been the Executive Director of the Southwestern Fair Commission (SWFC) in Tucson Arizona for the past 17 years. SWFC produces the annual Pima County Fair and manages a 640-acre property with a 400 space RV Park and rental facilities for numerous special events.
Jon is a graduate of Northern Arizona University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Recreation Management. He became the Coconino County Parks and Recreation Director in 1987 where he began his career in Fair Management. He was hired by the Arizona State Fair in 1997 where he worked until moving on to the Pima County Fair in 2001.
Over the span of his career Jon has been the President of the Arizona Fairs Association, President of the Arizona County Horse Racing Association and President of the Western Fairs Association. In May of 2015 he received the International Association of Fairs Certified Fair Executive award for years of service and accomplishments to the Fair industry. He was inducted into the Arizona Fairs Hall of Fame in 2013 and inducted into the Western Fairs Association Hall of Fame in 2017.
President CLIFF led us in the inspiration, drawing on a great pneumonic developed by his daughter using the letter of the Bowman family last name. The ever-smooth GARY HIRSCH and MIKE PELLER led us in the pledge and song: “America the Beautiful”.
TED FORSBERG celebrated his birthday with a remembrance of his sponsor HUGH THOMPSON, as did RICHARD WHITE, remembering JOHN DUVAL.
Past President JONI CONDIT introduced our newest member, ALICE MILTON. ALICE has had a wide variety of past professions, including environmental law where she helped bring about Sweetwater on Tucson’s west side, and she is a true native Tucsonan, having ridden her horse to school in the early years of the Vail School District. Welcome ALICE!
Past President SCOTT VAUGHAN again did a great job with visitors and guests (is this a possible permanent appointment for SCOTT?) We again had many many guests which we hope will become permanent members. Sergeant at Arms DALE BERG had a light day, with only announcements to wrangle:
President CLIFF announced the March Madness finalists: Past President PHIL GUTT and MARGARET HIGGIN’s teams.
Past President DAVE GALLAHER reported that 30 Rotarians showed up to help pack 60,486 lbs. of food for the Food Bank, and reminded us of the Triangle Y Ranch Project April 6-7.
The ever-hospitable JOHN LEWIS announced for the 44th time our upcoming Home Hospitality week (hosts still needed). All members & guests must sign up on the home page.
LIZ BAKER offered a Happy Jackson to invite members to donate prizes for the SARSEF Science Fair.
… and finally, President Elect CHUCK SAWYER reported on our Tree Planting project in the Garden District: 236 out of a target of 250 planted so far! Great work CHUCK!
Past President DON ROLLINGS and his wife presented a Paul Harris award to University of Arizona President Robert Robbins.
President Elect Nominee BOB LOGAN introduced our speaker: University of Arizona President Robert Robbins. President Robbins is a native of Mississippi who led the 50 hospital network of the University of Texas Medical Center from 2012 to 2017. President Robbins spoke about building on the strengths of the university (astronomy, optical sciences, environmental sciences) and the importance of building student retention and graduation rates. He noted that our goal is not necessarily to be the biggest university, but to build the quality, student success, and research capabilities of the U of A. He noted that new initiatives such as micro-campuses in Lima, China, and Vietnam, a new campus for the Honors College, and ground-breaking research such as using acoustics to transport drugs across the blood brain barrier are all key to this effort. President Robbins signed a book for our lending library: “Bailey Cat, What’s Your Favorite Favorite?”
President CLIFF finished with an appropriate toast as always, followed by an exhortation to “Bear Down”.
Congratulations to Margaret Higgins' Kangaroos and to Phil Gutt's Copper State Warriors for making the Championship Game this week. The winner will be announced at the 4 April meeting.
What a great effort our club has put together. We had over 170 guests at our meetings over the last five weeks. As of Friday, we now have 19 new members in various forms of the application process. The energy at the meetings has been fantastic. Dr. Robbins said he could feel the energy vibrating from the audience during his presentation last week. I, of course, told him it was the usual great meeting at the Rotary Club of Tucson - you are always like that!
Thank you to all the team coaches who have helped herd the cats, and a big shout out to the Membership Team who kept us on point and charged up - Steve Pickering, Chuck Sawyer, Ellie Patterson, Ashley Elaine York, and Art Allis. Additionally, and most importantly, we are very grateful for Dorinna York and Kari Meger who organized, processed, tabulated, and documented all our Madness!
Our Home Hospitality events are scheduled for the week of April 15th through the 22nd and we would still like to see a few more members sign up to be hosts. In the meantime, all the events are set up on our website, www.tucsonrotary.org scroll down the left side to "Upcoming Events" and click on Home Hospitality. There you will see the list of events and the number of guests each will accommodate. Please remember to sign up your guests and well. If you should have any questions, or you would like to host an event, please contact John Lewis or the Rotary office. Home Hospitality will replace our 4/18/18 Rotary lunch meeting.
Fourth Annual Rotary Days Service Project Triangle Y YMCA Ranch
APRIL 7 2018 ~ 8:30-4:00
Our fourth annual day of service at the Ranch is open to all Rotarians and friends and families of Rotarians. Please bring your friends and neighbors. The Ranch has been providing a one week camp experience to under privileged children from Tucson and southern Arizona since 1948 and they need our help. Please bring the following: sunscreen, hat, landscaping tools of your choice, protective goggles if you have them, weed eater if you have one, and a ladder. Please put your name on any tools you bring to the ranch. The maintenance supervisor will have plenty of tools but it always helps to bring some things.
Lunch is included for no charge and will be served at 1:00 PM. You will have a great opportunity to see all of the ranch facilities. This is a great opportunity to introduce prospective members to what Rotary is all about.
There is a “Cowboy Night” aka sleepover on Friday night at the ranch. Modern lodging is available and includes breakfast on Saturday for $35 PP. We will also have our usual steak and beans dinner for $10 PP. Thanks again to Chef Darrell Stewart who has helped provide a great dinner the past several years. You can register on Clubrunner at the Rotary Club of Tucson website or email Dave Gallaher at dave@tucsonindustrialrealty.com or call 520-907-4983. There will be carpooling available leaving from the parking lot of Trader Joes at the southeast corner of Oracle and Magee. Please plan to meet there at 7:30. It takes about 50 minutes to reach the Ranch from the lot.
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The Pima County Fairgrounds is currently managed, operated and maintained by the Southwestern Fair Commission, Inc. (SWFC), a private non-profit corporation, and has done so since 1975. In addition to its oversight of the Fairgrounds, SWFC is responsible for producing the annual Pima County Fair, traditionally held in April each year. Fair attendance has doubled in size in the past 10 years from approximately 150,000 to almost 350,000 attendees in 2017. 
Past President JONI CONDIT introduced our newest member, ALICE MILTON. ALICE has had a wide variety of past professions, including environmental law where she helped bring about Sweetwater on Tucson’s west side, and she is a true native Tucsonan, having ridden her horse to school in the early years of the Vail School District. Welcome ALICE!
President Elect Nominee BOB LOGAN introduced our speaker: University of Arizona President Robert Robbins. President Robbins is a native of Mississippi who led the 50 hospital network of the University of Texas Medical Center from 2012 to 2017. President Robbins spoke about building on the strengths of the university (astronomy, optical sciences, environmental sciences) and the importance of building student retention and graduation rates. He noted that our goal is not necessarily to be the biggest university, but to build the quality, student success, and research capabilities of the U of A. He noted that new initiatives such as micro-campuses in Lima, China, and Vietnam, a new campus for the Honors College, and ground-breaking research such as using acoustics to transport drugs across the blood brain barrier are all key to this effort. President Robbins signed a book for our lending library: “Bailey Cat, What’s Your Favorite Favorite?”
The following applications have been submitted for membership in Rotary Club of Tucson:
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Our Home Hospitality events are scheduled for the week of April 15th through the 22nd and we would still like to see a few more members sign up to be hosts. In the meantime, all the events are set up on our website, 
Our fourth annual day of service at the Ranch is open to all Rotarians and friends and families of Rotarians. Please bring your friends and neighbors. The Ranch has been providing a one week camp experience to under privileged children from Tucson and southern Arizona since 1948 and they need our help. Please bring the following: sunscreen, hat, landscaping tools of your choice, protective goggles if you have them, weed eater if you have one, and a ladder. Please put your name on any tools you bring to the ranch. The maintenance supervisor will have plenty of tools but it always helps to bring some things. 
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