Meet the Show Chair: Karla Sauer

1. What is the name of your show/cluster?

Karla Sauer: We are the Garden City Kansas Kennel Club.

2. Where are your show(s)/cluster held? When?

Karla Sauer: Our shows will be held at the Finney County Fairgrounds, Garden City, Kansas, on April 23, 24, and 25, 2027.

3. How long have you been Show/Cluster Chair?

Karla Sauer: I began as Assistant Show Chair, and became Show Chair in 2024.

4. Can you please provide a brief history of your club?

Karla Sauer: Our club was originally founded in 1975. We held our 36th AKC Dog Show in 2026 and missed the year of COVID. We hold Obedience & Rally Classes in the fall of every year, which began in 2025. Before that, we held fall and spring classes.

5. How are the following accommodated at your show(s)/cluster: Parking; Grooming; Bathing, Hospitality; Vendors; Public Education?

Karla Sauer:

• Parking: There is plenty of space for automobile parking during the show, which is free, and we have RV spots available with electric-only hookup. RV Parking is $50/night. We do have a space for generator parking also: free generator parking.

• Grooming: Reserved Grooming is held in the Exhibition Building where the Conformation rings are, and Free Grooming is in the West Pavilion where we have Obedience and Rally shows. Reserved Grooming is $50 for the weekend.

• Hospitality: We have a room set aside for judges, club members, and others who help at the show. There is a Food Truck outside the Exhibition Building for exhibitors and vendors.

• Vendors: Approximately 15-19 spaces are available in the Exhibition Building for vendors at $80/weekend.

• Public Education: Obedience/Rally classes and seminars are held throughout the year.

6. Does your show/cluster offer the National Owner-Handled Series? Junior Showmanship? 4-6 Month Beginner Puppy? Best Bred-By? Specialties? Supported Entries?

Karla Sauer: Our club offers the National Owner-Handled Series and Junior Showmanship, as well as Best Bred-By Exhibitor. We do not have Specialties, and for 2027 we will not have 4-6 Month Beginner Puppy.

7. What about Companion and Performance Events? Obedience? Rally? Agility? Fast CAT? Dock Diving? Other?

Karla Sauer: We offer Obedience and Rally. We did have Fast CAT for two years, but there was not a great turn out.

8. How are judging panels determined?

Karla Sauer: Previously, the Show Chair selected the judges, but for 2027 and 2028 we are trying a Judge Committee.

9. Who stewards at your show(s)/cluster?

Karla Sauer: Our Stewards are club members and exhibitors who volunteer to help, and some people who are not members but have volunteered for years!

10. Does your club have an active membership? How are you seeking new members?

Karla Sauer: Yes, we have an active membership and seek new members through word of mouth and advertising.

11. How are your show(s)/cluster promoted? TV? Radio? Print? Social Media?

Karla Sauer: We do not promote through television or radio, but we do use print and social media, including Facebook. AKC has also helped promote our events.

12. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as Show/Cluster Chair? What are your greatest successes?

Karla Sauer: Getting exhibitors to come to our show, low club membership, and older members are challenges, as well as people who volunteer and don’t show up. RV parking is becoming a problem, which we hope to have solved soon. Also, rising costs of everything.

Greatest successes? Having a successful show with happy exhibitors, vendors, and club members. In 2026, we had new ribbons which everyone loved! Also, having great judges and the volunteers who show up.

Meet the Show Chairs

Meet the Show Chair: Courtney Herzing