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• Fifteen out of 19 winning bids at the Junior Livestock Sale
• Hundreds of souvenir photos for visitors to the Nationwide exhibit
• Thousands of miles of NASCAR rides for kids of all ages at the wheel of a simulator game

These are a few results of Nationwide’s involvement at this year’s Ohio State Fair, where the company again sponsored the Agricultural and Horticulture Building, home of Ohio Farm Bureau’s "Land and Living" exhibit.

"We’re pleased to be out there at the fair because it shows we’re involved with agriculture," said Steve Uhlman, Farm Bureau relationship manager for Nationwide. "It’s an excellent opportunity to let people know we’re a leading insurer of farms in the U.S., and we want to meet our customers’ needs on their terms and at their convenience," he added.

Uhlman coordinated Nationwide’s multiple exhibits alongside OFBF displays in the Agriculture/Horticulture Building, which included interactive opportunities with Nationwide’s ‘customer choice’ approach and important safety concerns.

Nationwide’s people were vocal at the Junior Livestock Sale as well, posting winning bids on most of the steers raised by Ohio youth. The insurer also shared in purchasing hogs auctioned at the Barrow Sale.

Irv Bell, a Nationwide director and former OFBF president, attended both sales events. "It’s great for Nationwide to be part of the fair, especially when we can support the kids who come here as part of the agricultural community," he said.

Nationwide directors and staff also took part in the Agricultural Hall of Fame breakfast, which Nationwide helped sponsor through the Ohio Agricultural Council.

"I believe we succeeded in our primary purpose to demonstrate our connections with agriculture and our founding sponsor, Ohio Farm Bureau," said Uhlman. He noted that Nationwide’s fair exhibits stressed safety in addition to the insurer’s customer focus.

"We found a lot of interest in our deer avoidance exhibit," which posed an eight-point buck (stuffed) in front of a car crumpled from a deer collision, Uhlman said. Nationwide also promoted its Prom Promise program aimed at teens pledging not to drink, and its new Pet Insurance program for Farm Bureau members.

"The pen of puppies may have been our most effective exhibitors in terms of attracting attention," Uhlman said. They helped draw interest in Nationwide’s display for pet insurance, which provides coverage to help pay veterinarian bills. The display combined a companion animal theme with support from the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association and OFBF staff who cared for the puppies during their stay at the fair.

An arcade style racecar game was equally popular with younger fair-goers. It helped highlight Nationwide’s support of NASCAR events, where company volunteers assist racing fans.

"We’re pleased that Nationwide’s participation at the fair also included so many employees who volunteered their time to showcase the company and its partnership with Ohio Farm Bureau," Uhlman said.

Caption: The pen of puppies attracted attention at the Ohio State Fair, helping draw interest in Nationwide’s display for pet insurance which provides coverage to help pay veterinarian bills. Photo by Nationwide.