REDMOND, Ore. — Geoff Hinds, director of the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center, is stepping down after six years. He will now take on leadership responsibilities at Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming.
“It’s bittersweet, but I’ve been offered a position at Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the world’s largest outdoor rodeo.”
It’s a pretty iconic event. It brings about a half-million people to a state with about half a million residents. Hinds added, “It’s also close to my wife, so I’ll be able to spend more time with family.”
Hinds took over as director in 2019, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Despite that setback, the fairgrounds have experienced consistent growth under Hinds’ leadership.
“It was obviously an impactful time, given that we had to close the facility for a few years. However, as a result, we have been able to be transformative in our actions. “We were able to reinvest a little bit in the facility during that time,” Hinds explained.
Hinds has helped bring major headlining events to Deschutes County, including Cascade Equinox, over the last six years.
“Overland Expo is the world’s largest travel show.” Visitors are currently arriving from 40-50 different countries, as well as all 50 states. FairWell Fest quickly became Oregon’s largest music festival.
It achieved tremendous success in its first year. And then there’s things like Reggae Rise Up, which we just finished this weekend,” Hinds explained.
Hinds will essentially become Cheyenne’s chief operating officer, which he describes as a new job position for Cheyenne Frontier Days. Hinds leaves for Wyoming in less than two weeks.
“I’m excited to see what the future holds for the facility, and I’ll be watching and cheering from my new home in Wyoming.
“I always want the best for Central Oregon, and I’ll be back because this has become my home,” he said.
Hinds’ final day at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds and Expo Center is September 10.
