@the Grounds, formerly the Placer County Fairgrounds and Event Center, is a multi-purpose event facility on nearly 60 fully landscaped acres in the heart of Roseville, California.
About Us
@the Grounds
@the Grounds, formerly the Placer County Fairgrounds and Event Center, is a multi-purpose event facility on nearly 60 fully landscaped acres in the heart of Roseville, California.
For more than 80 years, @the Grounds has been the home of the Placer County Fair along with countless other community, family and corporate gatherings.
In 2017 @the Grounds underwent renovations to:
- Jones Hall
- Johnson Hall
- Garden Room
- Main Parking Lot
- Washington Boulevard Landscape
- Barns
Our most exciting project yet, a proposed 190,000-square-foot indoor multi-purpose facility is also in the works. Design and construction meetings are in progress with more exciting announcements to come!
In Collaboration With
Staff Bios
CEO - David Attaway
David Attaway has more than twenty-five years in the hospitality and leisure industry. His varied background includes both paid and volunteer roles in arts, gaming, entertainment, tourism and facility management.
With an educational and vocational background in marketing and management, he has worked for a city, a symphony orchestra, two universities, two casinos, and three nonprofit tourism organizations.
David has been the CEO at Placer Valley Tourism for six years and recently also became CEO of @the Grounds. David resides locally in Roseville.
General Manager - Gabrielle Stevenson
Gabrielle joins @the Grounds after more than seven years serving as General Manager of the multi-purpose motorsports and event venue, Texas Motorplex, in Ennis, Texas.
“I’m thrilled for this opportunity to come back to Northern California to help in transitioning the Placer Fairgrounds site into a place that will attract conventions, tournaments and community events year round,” said Stevenson, who earned her degree from Sacramento State University. Stevenson, an Oakmont High School graduate, has also worked for the United Way in Sacramento and G Promotions in San Francisco.
Gabrielle lives, dances and sings with her twin boys, Jake and Luke in Roseville.
Director of Sales - Cheryl Goldfarb
With more than two decades of experience leading sales efforts on behalf of hotels and event spaces, Cheryl Goldfarb joins @the Grounds team as its Director of Sales.
“I’m so excited for the opportunity to be a part of a project that will not only uplift Placer County, but the region as a whole,” said Goldfarb. “With the newly renovated grounds and versatile event space, the Placer Fairgrounds is sure to become the go to destination for events of all sizes.”
Specializing in multi-faceted events and corporate meetings, Cheryl has worked most recently at the McClellan Conference Center, and, previously, for hotel groups, including Hilton and Marriott.
Cheryl is a long-time resident of Antelope, CA, where she lives with her husband Bryan, Sons Zachary and Connor and two very energetic Labs.
Business Office Manager - Carrie Fankhauser
Carrie comes from an extensive background in planning large scale events as well as working in the hotel industry for the past 8 years.
“This opportunity comes at the perfect time for me! I am so excited to be a part of the growth @the Grounds. I see the potential in everything that is offered and the great impact this will have on our community.”
After being part of the opening team of the Hyatt Place in Roseville as well as working in the Accounting and Human Resources departments for Marriott, Carrie is ready to bring her experience and excitement to this position.
Carrie has been a long-time resident of the Sacramento area where she and her husband, Eric, have successfully raised four wonderful children.
Facilities Manager - Jodi Gillespie
With more then 10 years with the former Placer County Fairgrounds, Jodi continues on now as the Facilities Manager of @the Grounds.
"The fairgrounds has long been in need up upgrades like the renovations that are happening now and to be here for it is like a dream come true. Everyday keeps getting better and I am honored to be a part of this @the Grounds team."
Jodi moved to the area twenty three years ago from Southern California and is the proud mother of two grown children and two precious grandchildren.
Board of Directors
- Holly Hofmann - General Manager, Staybridge Suites
- Jeff Dubchansky - Commissioner, USA Softball of Sacramento
- Jenna Mertz - General Manager, Hilton Garden Inn
- Lauryl Hernandez - General Manager, Hyatt Place
- Merlyn Landaker - General Manager, Holiday Inn Express Lincoln
- Shawn Tillman - Economic Development Manager, City of Lincoln
- Tami Caufield - General Manager, Holiday Inn Express Rocklin
- Troy Holt - Director of City Commerce and Communications, City of Rocklin
- Heather Hilton, Chairperson - Regional Sales Support Manager, Tharaldson Hospitality Management
- Ron Berger, Vice Chairperson - Area General Manger, Heritage Hotel Group
- Wendy Gerig, Secretary - CEO, Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce
- Steve Makis -Treasurer, Personal Insurance Specialist, Brown & Brown Insurance (Rocklin Chamber Seat)
- Jessica Sacci, Past Chair - Regional General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott
- Bob Romness - Volunteer, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
- Dominick Casey - Assistant City Manager, City of Roseville