HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2018-01-04, Page 10PAGE 10.THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018.
IPM's Bishop looks back on busy year that was
A year to remember
Bluevale's Jacquie Bishop worked hard on the
International Plowing Match in Walton for over five
years, serving as its chair, the first-ever female chair in
IPM history. It was a long year, but one that came to to a
By IPM Chair Jacquie Bishop
During the countdown to 2017 on
New Year's Eve, 2016, I felt a sense
of panic as 2017 had finally arrived.
It was our year to showcase Huron
County and to demonstrate to the
world that a group of volunteers
from rural Ontario had the ability to
host a successful world-class event
by transforming farmland into
parking, plowing, RV park with full
services and a tented city with streets
full of exhibitors, entertainment with
all amenities that would draw
thousands to the area to stimulate
economic activity in the area.
We had been saying for years that
we were going to host an engaging
and entertaining event with
something for everyone. Now, we
needed to live up to what we had
been saying. No small task!
Our dedicated team wished to
fulfill the expectations, but some
roadblocks were encountered. To
host an International Plowing Match
(IPM), the costs are into the millions
and we needed to be financially
accountable and massage plans to
achieve what we had set out to do.
There were so many variables on
how to achieve our goals; it was a
nightmare to weigh all options.
Locally, none of us had organized
an event of this magnitude before,
but under the direction of the
Ontario Plowmen's Association, we
had to curb some of the creativity of
our passionate committees.
All committee chairs will
remember the challenge of
defending their budgets and telling
the story behind the numbers. Until
budgets were passed in early 2017,
many committees had plans on hold.
As soon as they were approved, the
committees became resourceful in
finding ways to work with what they
were given. In the end, many came
in under budget because they found
ways to make things happen.
We experienced new challenges in
2017 when the Celebration Ontario
grant was not approved until late
into the spring. This grant helps
covers expenses associated with
satisfying, yet challenging end. Many of those involved
in the match, as well as Premier Kathleen Wynne and
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Jeff Leal cut the
ribbon (or the corn stalk) on the match's opening day. (Fide photo)
additional attractions. It was very
difficult for programming to be
booked and scheduled with this
unknown. It was a ripple effect
which transferred to many
committees with plans having to be
put on hold until the grant was
approved and the details solidified.
Support from the federal
government to celebrate Canada's
Sesquicentennial was received but
all parts needed to move forward
together. Once details were released,
this was a big milestone and gave
many of our committees the green
light.
Having the support of these
government bodies helped lead us to
success, but we could not have
accomplished the same result
without all of our sponsors and
supporters. A great deal of time
during 2017 was spent keeping
communication lines open with all
of our local government partners.
At the county and municipal level,
the need to keep everyone engaged
and communication transfer was
A Prime Ministerial interruption
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his wife Sophie and their children visited the International
Plowing Match in Walton. First they took time to visit with local students and Justin tried his
hand at plowing before visiting the main stage during the Queen of the Furrow speeches. (File
photo)
key, but whatever we needed for
services, these partners were
resourceful to support us in any way
possible.
We are so blessed in rural Huron
County and beyond to have
community -minded businesses and
individuals who wanted to support
this event. The sponsorship
leadership team of Brian McGavin,
Graeme Craig and Erin Robinson
spent hundreds of hours identifying
partners, determining what the right
fit for that particular business was
and then soliciting the dollars either
cash or in-kind services. Committee
STILL
RUNNING
OUT TO
FETCH
THE
chairs and members added to this
initiative with their own connections
which made sponsorship so
successful. Recognition was given
through signage, social media, and
naming rights.
It was an opportunity for
businesses to be highlighted, but we
also received many anonymous
donations or support from people
who just wished to be a part of it.
Some people said to us, "you give of
your time, we give our resources."
It was truly gratifying to know that
the community stood behind us.
Reflections of 2017 included
many successes and challenges
experienced as the match
approached.
Successes of IPM 2017:
• Strong agricultural ties in
Huron County: We chose our
theme for our poster to help illustrate
this theme and we built on it
throughout and during the match.
The Huron County Economic
Development department supported
us by highlighting nine farm families
or agricultural businesses in their
series of posters and videos leading
up to the match. The Citizen told the
stories behind some of the key
volunteers and their connection to
the IPM. People enjoyed getting to
know the story behind the
family/person/business.
• Landowners: They were key
and they continually worked with us
throughout the year.
• Momentum: Planned marketing
released at the right time proved
successful. Our souvenir team hit
records for sales and we have them
to thank for ongoing promotion.
Senators Don Dodds, George
Townsend and Neil McGavin along
with Jane Zwep and Lynne Godkin,
conquered the bench sale program
and who better to be inspiring and
exciting people about the IPM than
these five.
• Barn Quilts: Families embraced
Continued on page 11
PAPER?
Having a subscription to
The Citizen
saves you money
Newsstand price - $1.25/week
Subscription price - 76¢/week
Save
up to
$2450
a year off
newsstand
price
Yes - I want to save money.
Enclosed is $38.00 for a 1 -year subscription
Name
Address
Town Postal Code
On-line subscriptions available too at www.northhuron.on.ca
Mail cheque & coupon to:
P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152,
Blyth, ON NOM 1H0 Brussels, ON NOG 1H0