Hotels fill up for Farm
Progress Show
By Heather Mangold
City
Editor
Area hotel representatives say that chances of
getting a hotel room in Lafayette during the three days of the Farm
Progress Show are slim.
The show, which lasts from Sept. 25 through Sept.
27, is expected to bring a great deal of economic benefit to the Greater
Lafayette community, said show manager Keith Ryan.
"Dollar wise, it benefits the community tremendously,"
said Ryan. "The average company or organization brings 10 to 15 people
to work their lot. Each one of those people needs a motel to stay in
and a place to eat."
This is not to mention the 300,000 visitors that
the show is expected to bring.
Kristin Morris, front desk clerk at Ramada Inn,
Lafayette, said "there's not a prayer" for finding a room for the Monday
and Tuesday of the week of the show
"It's just like football games," said Morris. "We've
been sold out for months."
Morris said she's pretty sure it's like this everywhere.
Betty Segally, front desk clerk for the Signature
Inn in Lafayette, agreed and said the Signature Inn has been booked
for this event since December of 1999. Segally said the inn would provide
additional staffing for the extra needs of the show's visitors.
She said she expects the next host city of the
Farm Progress Show to be in the same predicament.
"Some people I've talked to say at the end of the
show this year they will announce when and where the next show will
be," said Segally. "Companies will call and get rooms in the next city
as soon as this show is over."
Segally said that although most hotels within Lafayette
are full during the three days of the Farm Progress Show, surrounding
cities may still have room availability.
Amy Moricz, a junior in the School of Management,
works at the Radisson Inn's front desk. She said Radisson Inn is mostly
full for the days of the show, with a few exceptions.
"On Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday there's a few
rooms available," said Moricz.
Farming families of several Tippecanoe County farmers
will host the Farm Progress Show on approximately 1,200 acres of land.
The latest in farming technology will be presented to the public through
harvesting and tillage demonstrations and there will also be displays
and representatives from many agricultural organizations.
Last week, show officials began setting up tents
in order to be prepared for the show at the end of the month. Equipment
delivery is expected to begin this week.
"It takes about 12 to 14 days to get some exhibitor
lots in shape and ready for the show," said Ryan.
Only agricultural agencies are allowed to bring
booths, tents and demonstrations to the show.
|
