Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie brings $20 million economic impact
2016 Sunbelt Ag Expo deemed huge success
By Jon Gosa
MOULTRIE — The 39th annual Sunbelt Ag Expo wrapped up its 2016 exhibition in Moultrie on Thursday.
“It was another fantastic year,” said Sunbelt Expo Executive Director Chip Blalock. “Our final estimated attendance was right at 83,000.”
According to Blalock, the 2016 exhibition had quite a few noteworthy events, including the naming of the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeast Farmer of the Year, David Wildy, as well as the FFA (Future Farmers of America) auction fundraiser.
“One of the most significant things we did this week was partnering with Titan/Goodyear Tire Company, and we auctioned off tires on Tuesday and Wednesday for the Georgia FFA Foundation and raised a total of $42,920,” said Blalock. “This is the 10th year of that tire auction during which time we have raised over $478,000. Also on Tuesday, we named our farmer of the year, which is always a great occasion.”
According to Blalock, during expo week millions of dollars are brought into the local economy around Moultrie.
“The UGA Center for Agribusiness did a study, and just for the three days of the show during Expo week the economic impact is $20 million on the 20-county surrounding area,” Blalock said. “When you add in the three car shows that we do the rest of the year, the two arts and crafts shows, our field day, along with various other dealer meetings, conferences and conventions, that easily doubles that economic impact. I can’t say enough about how the Southwest Georgia region helps us roll out the red carpet, for instance there in Albany. I know we book a lot of hotel rooms, a lot of catering and restaurant traffic.”
With another successful year under his belt, Blalock is looking forward to the 2017 exhibition.
“Our sights are squarely set on Oct. 17, 18 and 19, 2017, when we will celebrate our 40th anniversary,” Blalock said Thursday afternoon. “We unveiled our new logo at this week’s Willie B. Withers luncheon and as of right now, after all of this, that is about as far as we have got with the planning. But we are proud of where this thing is headed in the new millennium.”
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