Back to Top

Stock Show officials planning to tie next year's event in with Super Bowl XLV
BY SUSAN SCHROCK
sschrock@star-telegram.com

FORT WORTH -- Stock Show officials hope that fans flocking to Cowboys Stadium next year for Super Bowl XLV will want to see some real cowboys in action.

The 2011 Super Bowl is scheduled for Feb. 6, which is the last day of the 115th annual Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. While the regularly scheduled events are expected to stay the same, Stock Show officials are considering special events and activities to tie into the big game in Arlington.

"With the nation's eye on North Texas, it's a very unique opportunity to showcase the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, which is the oldest stock show in the country, as well as shine a remarkable light on the sport of professional rodeo," said Bradford Barnes, the show's executive vice president and general manager. "After all, Fort Worth is where the West begins."

Because the game is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to North Texas, Stock Show officials have urged regular exhibitors and vendors to book hotel rooms for next year's three-week show now, said Shanna Weaver, the show's publicity manager.

Weaver said the Super Bowl's potential to draw new visitors to the event has been on Stock Show organizers' minds since Cowboys Stadium was selected as the venue in 2007. This will be the region's first experience hosting the Super Bowl.

"Everybody thinks of Texas with longhorns and cowboys. Where better to find that than the Stock Show?" Weaver said. "We really see it as an opportunity to showcase what we're all about."

Show organizers didn't mention specifically what kinds of Super Bowl-related activities may be planned. Planning for the 2011 Stock Show begins in late April or early May, Weaver said.

---

 North Texas Super Bowl XLV Logo Revealed

Just minutes ago, in South Florida, the official logo for Super Bowl XLV was unveiled. It was designed by the NFL, rather than our local host committee. If there were any doubts that it was Cowboys Stadium itself that convinced NFL owners to bring the game to North Texas, those may be put to rest by seeing how prominently the $1 billion ball field is featured in the logo. The use of the Lombardi trophy also evokes the winning tradition of the Cowboys nicely.

As logos go, it beats the pants off  XLIV, XLIII, XLII, or Houston’s Super Bowl. Sure, it’s metallic sheen exudes a somewhat cold exterior. But I think that fits the image that the Cowboys themselves like to project. They don’t try to be your cuddly local team. They just want to be un-apologetically awesome.

Since we’re going to have to see this thing all over the place for the next year, let’s be thankful for how well it’s been done.


Back to Top

Hope for Haiti
As a professional community we've rallied together in the past year to prove our worth in the business world.  However, this week, on an individual and organizational level we've rallied together for an even more meaningful cause - Haiti.

In addition to the US$5,000 that the MPI Foundation donated to the International Red Cross, many of our chapters and members rallied to the cause.

We appreciate greatly all of the participation of our members who have helped us continue to grow our list of confirmed legitimate relief efforts. We know that the recovery can not and will not happen over night.  So we encourage everyone to keep sharing great opportunities for all of us to help, like the MPI Atlantic Canada Chapter did today when they announced Speak Out for Haiti.

Click here for more information.

---

MPI Knowledge Exchange Webinars

Whether you’re ready to move up the career ladder, trying to better position your business, or simply looking for strategies to get your ideas heard, MPI Knowledge Exchange – Webinars empower meeting and business event professionals to take action on their big ideas.

Review the schedule and learn more abut these webinars.

---