The first episode of The Amplifier features Errol McKoy, President of the State Fair of Texas. Mr. McKoy started working in the venue industry in 1961 at Six Flags Over Texas. After moving up the ranks at Six Flags to the Executive Vice President, managing all six parks they owned at the time, McKoy joined State Fair of Texas, where he’s been since 1998.
He has been active in International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE), Texas Association of Fairs & Events (TAFE), International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA), Mid-West Fair Managers Association and others. An active community and civic member, he’s also been very active in many other organizations in Dallas and beyond.
In this interview, we talk about how the State Fair of Texas has gained a national presence, what McKoy has learned (and continues to learn!) in his years in the industry and his thoughts on Big Tex burning, the reaction and how the State Fair of Texas was able to make lemonade out of this very sour lemon.