A third option on the fairgrounds property
With three exhibit buildings on one property, choosing the Martin Building over the Agri Supply Exposition Center or the Jim Graham Building usually comes down to floor configuration and what else is booked on the fairgrounds that week rather than any single deciding factor.
Because it shares the grounds with the other two halls, availability gets checked across the whole property rather than this one building's calendar alone, particularly during the fairgrounds' busier seasons.
Floor size and flexibility
The Martin Building's floor plan tends to favor programs that want one large continuous space rather than a series of separated rooms, which makes it a fit for shows with big equipment displays or exhibitors that need uninterrupted sightlines across the floor.
Booth layout gets confirmed against this building's specific dimensions before the design is finalized, since assuming it matches either neighboring fairgrounds hall risks a mismatch between the plan and the actual room.
Freight staging shared with neighboring buildings
When multiple fairgrounds buildings run shows at once, truck staging and lot access for the Martin Building can overlap with traffic headed to the Agri Supply Exposition Center or the Jim Graham Building nearby, and the crew coordinates arrival windows accordingly rather than assuming a clear lot.
Ground conditions on the fairgrounds property, gravel and grass in places rather than paved surfaces throughout, factor into what equipment can move directly to the building versus what needs a different staging approach.
Closing out on fairgrounds ground
Strike at the Martin Building follows the same shared-property considerations as install: lot access, ground conditions, and whatever else is loading out from the neighboring halls at the same time.
The building is unavailable during the State Fair and its surrounding setup and breakdown window each October, the same blackout that applies across the entire fairgrounds property.
When a program needs two fairgrounds buildings at once
Some larger fairgrounds bookings combine the Martin Building with the Agri Supply Exposition Center or the Jim Graham Building next door, splitting a show across two halls when a single building cannot hold the full program.
That kind of multi-building booking gets planned as one coordinated event rather than two separate ones, with a single freight and labor schedule that accounts for movement between the two buildings.
Frequently asked questions
Why choose the Martin Building over the other two fairgrounds halls?
Usually floor configuration. The Martin Building tends to suit programs that want one large continuous space rather than a subdivided layout, and availability on the shared fairgrounds calendar plays a role too.
Does ground surface affect equipment access here?
It can. Parts of the fairgrounds property are gravel or grass rather than paved, which factors into staging plans for heavier equipment.
Can this building run at the same time as the neighboring halls?
Yes, and when it does, truck staging and lot access get coordinated across all active buildings rather than assuming this hall has the lot to itself.
Is the Martin Building open during the State Fair?
No. It shares the same October blackout as the rest of the fairgrounds property, covering the Fair itself plus setup and breakdown.
Can a program use the Martin Building and a neighboring hall together?
Yes, larger fairgrounds bookings sometimes split across two buildings when one alone cannot hold the full program, and that gets planned as a single coordinated event rather than two separate bookings.
How does drayage work when the building shares a lot with two neighbors?
Drayage carts and forklifts stage from the shared lot, and timing gets coordinated with whatever else is loading in or out at the Agri Supply Exposition Center or Jim Graham Building the same day.