Deschutes County appoints experienced fair executive Jeff Curtis as new Fair & Expo Center director

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Deschutes County announced Wednesday it has appointed Jeff Curtis as the new director of the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center. Curtis, the former CEO of the Portland Rose Festival Association and Alaska State Fair, will begin his new duties next Monday.

Curtis replaces Geoff Hinds, who left the position in September. The county selected Curtis from a pool of candidates following a nationwide recruitment process. Erik Kropp, deputy county administrator and interim fair and expo director, expressed confidence in the new hire.

"We're excited to have Jeff join the Deschutes County team," Kropp said. "We are pleased to have identified such a well-qualified candidate that brings a proven track record leading large complex organizations."

Curtis brings two decades of executive leadership to the role, having served as the CEO of the Portland Rose Festival Foundation for 18 years. Most recently, he spent more than two years as the CEO of the Alaska State Fair.

His professional expertise includes managing multiple event facilities, corporate sponsorship sales, festival operations and public communication.

Curtis earned a Bachelor of Arts in sports management from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif.

He has held several leadership positions on regional and international boards, including serving as the board chair for the International Festival and Events Association. He also served as a member of the Mat Su Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors and the Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

In his new position, Curtis will oversee the daily operations and marketing of the 340-acre facility. The Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center is a leading tourist destination in Central Oregon, attracting nearly 1 million visitors annually. The center hosts more than 400 events each year, including the county fair and rodeo, motocross, trade shows and concerts.

The facility includes 200,000 square feet of indoor event space and 120,000 square feet of covered livestock and equestrian arenas. The grounds also feature 400 horse stalls and a full-service RV park with 105 spaces. Curtis is scheduled to begin his new role on Monday, Feb. 9.

In his new position, Curtis will oversee the daily operations and marketing of the 340-acre facility. The Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center is a leading tourist destination in Central Oregon, attracting nearly 1 million visitors annually. The center hosts more than 400 events each year, including the county fair and rodeo, motocross, trade shows and concerts.

The facility includes 200,000 square feet of indoor event space and 120,000 square feet of covered livestock and equestrian arenas. The grounds also feature 400 horse stalls and a full-service RV park with 105 spaces.

Curtis is scheduled to begin his new role on Monday, Feb. 9.