After the executive director of the Mississippi Fair Commission was let go back in November, his replacement has now been announced.
Related: Executive Director of Fair Commission let go
Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson and the Mississippi Fair Commission have announced Steve Hutton as the new executive director of the Mississippi Fair Commission.
In this position, Hutton will be responsible for the administrative management and direction of the Mississippi Fair Commission facilities and grounds. He will serve as the primary contact with other public agencies and the business community in representing the Mississippi Fair Commission and advancing its initiatives.
“We are excited to welcome Steve to the Mississippi Fair Commission,” Gipson said. “The Mississippi State Fairgrounds hosts some of the largest attended events in the state each year, contributing significantly to the economy of the City of Jackson and the State of Mississippi. With his experience, I believe Steve is well prepared to continue improving upon the Mississippi Fair Commission’s initiatives, such as the construction of the new Trade Mart.”
Hutton plans to start working toward his goals for the Mississippi State Fairgrounds right away.
“I have never inherited such a talented, dedicated, and devoted staff,” Hutton said. “I am amazed what this staff has accomplished over the last eight months without a director in place. I look forward to concentrating on naming rights for the Coliseum and Trade Mart, bringing in more sponsors for the State Fair and Dixie National Rodeo, and getting this staff the funding they need to better serve our customers.”
Hutton resides in the Madison area and is a native Mississippian. He has more than 30 years of experience in managing professionally developed high-attendance events. In 2007, he founded Momentum Events, Inc. which serves clients like nationally renowned Christian Speaker Steve Farrar and Christmas on Ice presented by Baptist Health Systems. Hutton also owns Covenant Homes. In addition to his own company experience, Hutton has worked as the Vice President of U.S. Men’s Ministry for Promise Keepers and as the Tournament Director of the PGA Tour Southern Farm Bureau Classic.
The Mississippi Fair Commission oversees the Mississippi State Fairgrounds, a 105-acre facility in downtown Jackson that is home to the Mississippi Coliseum, the Mississippi Trade Mart, the Kirk Fordice Equine Center, the Mississippi State Fair, the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo, and the State of Mississippi’s youth and livestock showing arenas.
