DIRECTOR PHILIP NELSON ANNOUNCES NEW STATE FAIR MANAGER

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Director Philip Nelson announced today the hiring of Patrick Buchen as the next state fair manager.  Buchen, 63, was born and raised on a farm in Fulton County, Illinois.  His family has long standing ties with the Illinois State Fair, including logging countless hours in the livestock barns, and as a member of 4-H where he worked with sheep, hogs, and cattle.  The Buchen family holds an “Illinois Centennial Farm” designation dating back to 1863.

Buchen’s resume includes an accomplished list of work in the event planning and fair industry.  Buchen previously served as Executive Director of the Indiana State Fair, President of HSI Show Productions, and Executive Director of the Texas Longhorn Cattle Breeders Association.  He is certified in Exposition Management from the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, and the past chair for the International Association for Exhibition Management Foundation.  Buchen is a graduate of Monmouth College, where he holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics.  Buchen has a track record of boosting revenues while trimming unproductive expenditures. 

“As an event professional I have dealt with all facets of show management.  I truly believe to meet the demands of the event industry, creativity is paramount in order to present something new and fresh year after year while still delivering familiarity,” said Buchen.  “I love agriculture and the fair business, so becoming manager of the state fairs in Illinois is a dream come true.”

Buchen will be responsible for management at the state fairs in Springfield and DuQuoin. As planning for both fairs are well underway, Buchen will step in immediately to oversee operations for both events.

“I am confident that Patrick Buchen can effectively manage both state fair operations.  In this day and age of shared sacrifice, we at the Illinois Department of Agriculture are tightening our belts where we can, but at the same time preserve the traditions that Illinois residents enjoy at both state fairs,” said Ag Director Philip Nelson.  “Patrick has both the agriculture experience and the fair experience that will really help him to showcase Illinois, specifically the state’s rich agricultural roots.”

The Illinois State Fair runs August 13th – 23rd   The DuQuoin State Fair begins August 28th and runs through September 7th.