<b>By MICHELE F. MIHALJEVICH<br>
Indiana Correspondent</b> </p><p>

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Fort Wayne Farm Show began with a gentlemen’s agreement and has become one of the most highly regarded shows in the country, according to an official with Tradexpos, which produces the annual trade show.</p><p>
“It’s considered one of the top 10 farm shows in the nation, and one of the top five indoor shows,” said Fred Cline, a show director with Tradexpos. “This will be our 19th year, and the show has grown considerably since the beginning.”</p><p>
The farm show is Jan. 15-17 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Wednesday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Thursday. Admission is free.</p><p>
The idea of a show in Fort Wayne came to Tradexpos owner Jack Thill as he was driving through the city in the 1980s, Cline said.
“He thought it would be the perfect area to have a show, so he spoke with the person in charge of what at the time was a current remodeling project at the Coliseum, and they made a gentlemen’s agreement that the Coliseum would host the show once the renovations were complete,” he said.</p><p>
“That person was later replaced, but Jack showed the new person the note, and he said to go ahead and give it a try.”
Nineteen years later, the show uses two expo halls in the Coliseum complex and several small conference rooms, and draws 34,000-38,000 people, Cline said.</p><p>
“We’ve continued the theme Jack started with, and that’s to show farmers what’s available in terms of equipment and services,” he said. “We don’t do entertainment, because we feel people can get that at their state or local fairs. We also focus on educating farmers about new practices and policies.</p><p>
“We want people to be able to walk out with the tools and knowledge to make them more productive on the farm.”</p><p>
The show’s popularity helps keep the same exhibitors coming back yearly, Cline said.</p><p>
“Of the 900 booths, 39 will be exhibiting for the first time,” he added. “The exhibitors are all ag-related. We do like to get new exhibitors and displays when we can, because that helps to keep the show fresh.”</p><p>
Though families tend to visit the show together, the largest single demographic is males ages 28-50, Cline said. One of the draws of the show is the opportunity farmers have to visit with their local equipment and seed dealers, said Greg Lake, director of the Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District.</p><p>
“When you go to shows farther away, such as to Louisville, you end up with company reps and not the ones you’re used to dealing with locally,” he said. “If you have questions about cost and other things, they can’t answer as well as your local rep can.</p><p>
“It’s also a social gathering. The show happens right in the middle of the lull, and it’s about all there is to do around that time.
“The show has a net positive for the community,” Lake said. “With people eating out and some staying here overnight, it’s good for the economy.”</p><p>
Tradexpos, of Austin, Minn., has been in the business of producing farm shows for 25 years. It also produces shows in Wichita and Topeka, Kan., and in Owatonna, Minn.