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Award Winners |
2022 Silver Horseshoe Award
The actual award is a beautiful lapel pin (a silver horseshoe,) and this first one was generously donated by George as the inaugural award. Kelly has been in his position at the Florida Parishes Arena and Event Center since 2004.He joined the League in 2006 and has attended 15 Symposiums. Kelly embodies the characteristics mentioned above and he is truly an asset to the League. A special thanks to George Chatigny for this wonderful idea. |
2022 Hall of Fame
The League of Agricultural and Equine Centers, (LAEC) is proud to announce the induction of Mr. Brian Dygert to the League Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place at the 2022 Annual League Symposium in Austin Texas. Dygert was a co-founder of the League and has been a leader in Equine Facility management for nearly three decades. He is currently the General Manager at West World in Scottsdale Arizona.
Over the years, his service to the League included serving on the Board of Directors for fourteen years, serving as the Chair of the Board, assisting in the development of the League Footing Academy, assisting in the development of the professional certification program in partnership with Middle Tennessee State University titled the “Certified Manager of Equine Centers”, leading the Board in the hiring of professional administrative staff to grow the organization, hosting Footing Academies and the Annual Symposium and recruiting some of the first corporate League sponsors.
West World was awarded the 2020 Facility of the Year Award by the League, emblematic of his leadership and continued contributions to the Equine Facility Management Industry. The Induction into the LAEC Hall of Fame was held at 5:30PM on January 18, 2022, at the Holiday Inn Town Lake, Austin Texas, the site of the 2022 LAEC Annual Symposium.
2020 Facility of the Year
Congratulations to WestWorld of Scottsdale, AZ. |
2019 Facility of the Year
Congratulations to South Point Arena and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, NV.
2018 Facility of the Year
Congratulations to the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, TX, the first winner of our Facility of the Year award.
The Facility of the Year Award is based on operational excellence as well as professional development, safety and security, and service to one’s community. The Will Rogers Memorial Center exemplifies those attributes.
The City of Fort Worth and the management and staff of the Will Rogers Memorial Center have put great thought and planning on the long-range design and renovation of their facilities to transform a historic stock show-focused facility into a world class equestrian event facility and destination. They relied upon the insight of many of their past, present and potential clientele in the development of their renovation plans which helped them create facilities and amenities ideal for almost any breed or discipline show.
Their sales strategy paralleled the long-range renovation schedule to develop a diverse annual schedule of equestrian and livestock shows with a greater potential for economic impact and revenue than was ever previously attainable. The transformation of their center and calendar of events has coincided perfectly with the economic and growth surge of Fort Worth creating a destination to complement their equestrian facilities for national and international competitions.
We are grateful to have their membership in The League of Agricultural & Equine Centers and pleased to have selected them as our first Facility of the Year. Congratulations the Will Rogers Memorial Center!
2018 Hall of Fame
Bill Chambers is an experienced executive with high level management expertise. He is a proven leader and has impressive collaboration skills. Bill is able to initiate and manage large multi-level programs utilizing public and private partnerships. Bill is a visionary who was a founding member of The League, an organization that has a mission which includes education, networking and advocacy for the facility management industry.
There is likely no one who has had as much involvement with The League as Bill. In 1997, he, along with two other individuals, was a founding member. He was instrumental in forming and incorporating the organization in 1999. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since the organization was officially created. Bill served as Chairman of the Board from 2004 to 2012. During that time, The League grew substantially and many of the benefits enjoyed by the members today were created.
Over the years, Bill has made numerous presentations at The League’s Annual Symposium as well as served as moderator for several of The League’s bi-monthly Forums. Bill was a driving force behind the consulting services offered by The League, created the brochure to promote the program and continues to be the primary liaison when such services are needed. There are very few Annual Symposiums that Bill missed over the years.
Due to his vast experience, Bill has been an invaluable resource when looking for advice from both the facility perspective as well as for issues concerning The League.
Bill left his position with The Show Place Arena and Prince Georgia’s Equestrian Center six years ago, but due to his passion for both the industry and The League, Bill remains active in the organization and serves as an Ex-Officio member of the Board of Directors.
It is no exaggeration to say The League is what it is today as a result of the involvement, leadership and vision of Bill Chambers. There would be no better person to receive the first ever Hall of Fame Award, another League program created by Bill!
Best Marketing Award
Congratulations to the Georgia International Horse Park, Conyers, GA, winner of our first Best Marketing Award.