Barbara Renner, a retired manager of the North Idaho Fair and Rodeo and lifelong Kootenai County resident, was inducted into the Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs hall of fame at the organization's annual convention last month in Boise.

The award is presented annually in recognition of an individual's achievement in or contribution to the fair industry.

"Literally the first meeting I went to with the Rocky Mountain Association changed my life," she said. "It just rang a bell inside me. I said 'Hey, I'd like to become involved.'"

That was 1977, in Billings, Mont., when she was a member of a ladies equestrian drill team.

She was inspired to get involved with her hometown fair and the North Idaho Fair Board.

The meeting introduced her to the opportunity of making a career in the fair industry.

"Very few people realize what a big industry it is," she said. "I love the industry."

She said being inducted into the association's hall of fame means a lot.

"It's a phenomenal organization," she said.

The Dalton Gardens resident received a piece of abstract glass art, with her name and the year inscribed.

"I have a beautiful, beautiful piece of art," she said.

In 1978, the Kootenai County commissioners appointed her to the fair board where she served until 1985 when she was then selected to manage the North Idaho Fair and Rodeo. Renner managed the fair for 15 years, retiring in 1999.

During her tenure as manager, Renner had many accomplishments, including increasing year-round facility usage from 11 days in 1985 to 300 days in 1999, growing the annual budget from $120,000 to $700,000 and increasing fair attendance from 28,500 to 72,000.

Additionally, Renner has been a member of fair industry related associations including Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs, Idaho Association of Fairs, and the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, where she was the first woman to hold the office of president. She served on many committees, and presented several workshops on various fair-related topics. She also is a member of the International Association's hall of fame.

Although retired, Renner continues to have an active role at the North Idaho Fair and Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

In 2004, she worked with a team to establish the Fair Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works closely with the North Idaho Fair Board to provide an avenue for long-term capital improvement projects.

The organization also provides community outreach presentations to educate residents about the economic value and benefit of the fair and the fairgrounds within Kootenai County and to preserve the culture and tradition of agribusiness.