About Fairplex

Frequently Asked Questions

The Los Angeles County Fair Association, a nonprofit, mutual benefit organization, has operated the fairgrounds in Pomona, California since 1922.  As a 501 (c)5, mutual benefit organization, it is part of our very existence that we focus on giving back, making a positive impact on our guests and on our community. Through our efforts, we work to improve the quality of life for all those who experience the Fair Association and its events and activities, whether as guests, learners, neighbors or associates.

From its inception, LACFA has managed and produced its signature event, the LA County Fair.  This time-honored tradition continues today, serving as an important cultural, educational and economic contributor to the region. The Fair event remains the single most impactful activity on the Fairgrounds in terms of job creation, economic impact and just plain fun.  In support of our mission, LACFA has also grown to include many other businesses and events on the property.  Each of these activities contributes to the character and definition of Fairplex as a regional entertainment and educational destination and plays a role in the future growth of our company.

LACFA is financially self-supporting and does not fall under the auspices of any county or state governmental body. 

What is the Los Angeles County Fair Association?
The LA County Fair was first held in 1921 on farm land owned by local families that wished to showcase the industries and values of Southern California.  The largest industry at that time was agriculture. 

In 1922 the operations and running of the Fair was entrusted to the Los Angeles County Fair Corporation and later reorganized into the business entity called the Los Angeles County Fair Association, made up of community volunteers.  The Fair has been at the Pomona site since 1922 except during World War II, when the Federal Government asked that the land be used for war defense activities. 

LACFA is the same private business that was formed years ago, governed by volunteers from the community.   

What is Fairplex?
Fairplex is the name for the 487 acres that LACFA uses for conducting the Fair and year-round business.  Of the 487 acres, over 200 acres are privately held by LACFA. Between 1941 and 1952, a portion of the land belonging to LACFA was deeded by the Association to Los Angeles County as a gift. The remaining acreage is under a long-term lease with the County of Los Angeles.

Is the LA County Fair different than other county fairs?
Yes, in many ways.  First, it is one of the largest of all the county fairs in California in terms of acreage, revenue and employees.  Second, the LA County Fair is governed by a private not-for-profit, 70-member Business Association, 11 of whom are elected to serve as Board of Directors for defined terms

 LACFA is a private, nonprofit 501(c)5, self-funding organization that is not governed by the county or state, and receives no government subsidies for daily business operations.

LACFA oversees many other business activities other than just the Fair. With $90 million in annual revenues under our control, our business model is more complex than typical county fairs. We operate a hotel, multiple RV parks, storage facility, food & beverage company, two 501(c)3 organizations, a horse auction company and an equipment rental business.

Why is LACFA a nonprofit?
As a 501(c)5,  we have three primary objectives in our charter of nonprofit business operations:

• To advance and promote
• Agriculture
• Horticulture
• Industrial and other interests of Los Angeles County
• To operate and maintain county fairs and expositions for the exhibition of livestock, dairy, poultry, household and fine arts, and school and educational exhibits
• To acquire new land, develop our land or make improvements for the benefit of the LA County Fair

We are special type of not for profit business. As an 501(C)5 association our articles of incorporation are on file with the Secretary of State and confirmed by with the Federal Government. This means that every year since 1922, we provide a community benefit and our profits go back to people, programs and community. Besides employing 300 year-round employees and nearly 1,700 FTE jobs during the Fair, LACFA provides millions of dollars of benefit in cash and in-kind donations to education and community programs.  We are pleased to help organizations and people from throughout Southern California as we work to build stronger communities.

You’re a nonprofit. Do you still pay taxes?
As a special type of not-for-profit operation, the Los Angeles County Fair Association runs the LA County Fair, a 501(c)5 in September and several other for-profit businesses year-around at Fairplex, including  an award-winning child care center, a hotel, restaurant, RV parks and more.  These year-round businesses bring into the region over $90 million dollars in annual revenue, which is equivalent to impact of holding a Super Bowl every year. 

Profitability
 We evaluate profitability through EBITDA (Earnings before interest, depreciation, taxes and amortization).  This reflects the actual cash we, as an organization, have on hand each year to service debt and reinvest in capital. This is the term that banks use in determining the financial soundness of any business.  The Fair Association has a strong EBITDA. While we have operated with a positive EBITDA every year of operation, our financial statements sometimes reflect a different measure of profitability due to depreciation, bond values and other factors that on paper may represent a gain or loss but actually have no impact on our accessibility to funds.

The Fair Association has a strong bottom line, with sufficient cash reserves that satisfy all of its commitments to myriad financial partners. 

What other activities does the Los Angeles County Fair Association operate?
In order to keep the Fairplex site operating in the 11 months when the Fair is not open, the Association realized that it needed a source of revenue to keep the lights on, pay for upkeep and construct new buildings.  Over 30 years ago it began operating on a year-round basis. We operate a hotel, multiple RV parks, storage facility, food and beverage company, two 501(c)3 organizations, a horse auction company and an equipment rental business.  Every day some activity is occurring at Fairplex and the Fair Association is receiving visitors from around the world

What is The Learning Centers?
LACFA also operates a 501(c)3 organization called The Learning Centers at Fairplex.  It is no exaggeration to state that the Fair Association oversees one of the most highly recognized unique learning complexes in California for all ages.  With a mission to fill unmet educational needs and provide opportunities to build stronger communities through early childhood, leadership, career and technical education programs, The Learning Centers today provides nearly $5 million of educational programming and is supported with nearly $1 million in overhead support plus buildings, infrastructure and land from the LACFA to operate each year.  Serving more than 150,000 “students” each year (more than 600 daily outside of the Fair event), The Learning Centers provide a continuum of learning for students of all ages. The significance of our programs is evidenced by our innovative partnerships with prestigious colleges and universities like Cal Poly Pomona, The University of La Verne, The Claremont Colleges, Mt. Sac and also all school districts in our surrounding communities.  The Learning Centers campus features a museum, agriculture farm, automotive education workshop, classrooms, art studios, continuing education programs and school-linked educational field trips throughout the year.

Our Vision:
We aspire to be a model community partner, economic engine and presenter of unique experiences.

Our Mission:
Fairplex is a nonprofit enterprise that serves as a place, a convener and a creator of memories to strengthen the community and economy through arts and entertainment, agriculture, education and commerce.

Our Guiding Principles:
Public Benefit - committed to doing good in everything we do
Guest Experience - placing our guests at the center of what we do
Partnership - we are at our best when we partner with others
Sustainability - committed to being financially healthy and environmentally friendly
Uniquely Southern California - celebrating the best of our community

Employment

Fairplex Careers

Fairplex is Southern California's premiere Event & Entertainment Center and home of the annual L.A. County Fair.  There are more than 500 diverse, multicultural and experiential year round events on our campus, featuring some of the largest consumer and trade shows, meetings, expositions, conventions, inter-track wagering, sporting and agricultural events in the country held at Fairplex every year. The Los Angeles County Fair Association is a 501(c) 5 nonprofit organization and is the parent company of eight separate entities.

Job Openings

These entities include:

• Event Production Solutions, LLC
• Fairplex RV and Boat Storage, LLC
• Fairplex Enterprises
• Sheraton Fairplex Hotel
• Child Development Center at Fairplex
• Millard Sheets Art Center at Fairplex
• The Learning Centers at Fairplex

Our entire team strives to present engaging and entertaining experiences to all guests and visitors by embracing the following core values: community service, education, creativity, hospitality, integrity, leadership and diversity. We are an organization that entertains and educates a diverse community while having fun.

Within our culture, we encourage upward mobility, value high performing team members, promote team focus, and provide flexible hours.

Maps and Directions

Fairplex is located in Pomona and is conveniently reached from all points in Southern California. Easily identifiable Fairplex signs are located throughout Pomona and neighboring communities to direct motorists. Directional signs are also prominent along nearby freeways.

Location

1101 W. McKinley Ave.,
Pomona, CA 91768

General Information Phone: (909) 623-3111

General Information email: info@fairplex.com

Drone Policy

The Los Angeles County Fair Association (LACFA), owner/operator of Fairplex, has established the following Drone Policy for the Fairplex property:

A Drone or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is defined as a “powered, aerial vehicle that does not carry a human operator, uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift, can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely, can be expendable or recoverable, and can carry a payload.”

In order to ensure the safety of all patrons at Fairplex, drones are allowed on the property with the following requirements:

• Drones are not allowed inside any Fairplex facility during load in, show hours, and/or load out without the express written consent of the LACFA.
• Drones are not allowed outside any Fairplex exhibit halls on the property without the express written permission of the LACFA.

If the Lessee would like to use a drone, a written request must be made 30 days in advance of the first show day and will need to be submitted to the Event Manager designated for the event at Fairplex for review and approval. The following will need to be included within the written submittal:

• Name of the pilot operating the drone
• All operators must show proof of a current FAA/UAS operator certificate
• Designation of a fly zone must be within the Licensee’s contracted approved rental space.
• Pilot’s experience level and other events he/she has flown the drones
• Type of aircraft (Quad Copter, Helicopter, Airplane, etc.) and make and model
• Frequency used
• Proposed payload and payload weight
• Time(s) the drone will be in operation
• Location(s) the drone will be operated
• If a Lessee would like to attempt to fly the drone outside of the contracted exhibit hall, the FAA approval must be secured prior to the event and presented to Fairplex Management.

Lessee is liable for any and all damages to persons, property, and any litigation arising from the use of drones or UAVs operating on Fairplex property or in any Fairplex exhibit hall.

LACFA and its employees shall be held harmless as a result of any operation of a drone or UAV on or in and Fairplex facility.

Accessibility

Fairplex is committed to making our programs, events, services and facilities, and information and communications technology accessible to everyone, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d).

Fairplex prides itself on providing complete and convenient access for all our guests with disabilities. Many rides, shows, attractions, elevators and parking areas are designed to comfortably accommodate guests in wheelchairs and other disabilities. There are designated accessible entrances for all our attractions in the park.

All accessibility inquiries should be made to:

Fairplex
Attn: Guest Relations
1101 W. McKinley Ave.
Pomona, CA 91768

Email Guest Relations

We welcome all guests with disabilities to attend all events and offer the following services on their behalf.

Restrooms/Washrooms
Wheelchair accessible washrooms are located throughout all Fairplex facilities.
Accessibility is indicated at the entrance of these washrooms.

Easy Access
Convenient wheelchair access is also available at all Fairplex facilities.

Emergency Evacuation Procedures
Fairplex Team Members have been properly trained in all emergency preparedness procedures.

Parking
Parking spaces and areas for guests with disabilities are available in all lots on a first-come, first-served basis. Disabled parking consists of two types, van accessible and standard accessible. Curb ramps are featured at the entrance levels. Parking lots surrounding the facilities also have spaces available which are located in areas nearest to the event entrance. All disabled guest parking is clearly marked with signage. ADA spaces are available in all lots and locations are based on the events.

ADA drop-off & pick-up zones are located at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel at Gate 3 off McKinley Ave.