OC FAIR & EVENT CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVE $25 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENT REVITALIZATION PLAN1

Costa Mesa, Calif. (April 24, 2008) – The OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC) Board of Directors today approved a three-year, $25 million capital investment plan which is Phase I of the Master Plan approved in 2003.

The plan features the construction of a new 31,000 square-foot exhibit hall with a design reminiscent of an aviation hangar that celebrates the heritage of the facility, the former site of the Santa Ana Army Air Base.

The $8 million exhibit hall, slated to debut at the 2009 OC Fair, features large aircraft hangar style doors that open upon the Fair’s Main Mall, which is also slated to receive a $2.5 million dollar facelift. In addition to the Main Mall renovation, a $3.5 million breezeway to be constructed between Buildings 14 and 16 to create outdoor, shaded exhibit space.

“This is the largest and most significant capital investment made to the property since original construction began in 1949,” said Steve Beazley, incoming CEO.

Dale Dykema, board president, stated, “We are very pleased to be making such a significant investment in the facility and we are confident the community will be very pleased with the results.”

The plan also includes the relocation and construction of a new administration building, which will free up 8,000 square feet of land for new outdoor premium exhibit space near the Fair’s main gate. Also scheduled are backstage improvements to the Pacific Amphitheatre, construction of a new commercial kitchen for food service, investment in a feature exhibit, a corporation yard for consolidation of storage and a yearly commitment of $1.5 million dollars for general facility upgrades.

Phase 2, which will come before the board in 2009, is expected to address additional improvements to the Pacific Amphitheatre, parking lot upgrades and other considerations for more efficient land use.