Welcome to the Showmen's League of America

Rich in history and founded in camaraderie, The Showmen’s League of America is a community of showpeople - both men and women - dedicated to service and fellowship. By providing scholarships, financial aid and memorial services, we promote the mutual welfare of our members and all showpeople, in good times and bad. By maintaining our traditions, we honor the legacy of those who have come before us. By welcoming new members from all areas of the amusement industry, we build a strong future. We invite you to our website and to join us, to share our mission, and join in friendship with some of the greatest men and women in the world.

The Showmen's League of America was founded in 1913, by a group of outdoor showmen meeting at the Saratoga Hotel in Chicago. Buffalo Bill Cody, the Wild West performer, was elected the Club's first President. The Showmen's League of America is the oldest organization of its type in North America.

2013 President Chris Atkins' March 2013 Letter and St Patrick's Extravaganza Invitation

Mar 1, 2013

Fellow members,

To put it bluntly, Gibtown was a smashing success!  I would personally like to thank all of the committee members, officers, and board members that made the week a hugely productive and successful one.  I would also like to be one of the first to congratulate Tom Powell for being installed as the new 1^st Vice President of the SLA.  At the suggestion of the nominating committee, chaired by PP Sam Johnston, the Board chose make Tom the2014 president.  He will be installed at the Centennial Banquet in Las Vegas this December.  I can’t think of another person who is so in tune with our industry, and I am sure that he will make a great president!

Gibtown is different for everybody.   Highlights of my week included:  The unveiling of the Centennial painting by artist Dan Thomas (pictured on the left).  The painting looks great, and the prints are selling fast.  The painting is currently on display at the club and will be there through the St. Patrick's Weekend Extravaganza.  Prints are available for sale from Joe Burum through our office, as well as from Al De Rusha who will be auctioning them off at OABA jamborees across the country.

Our "$100,000 for 100 Years" tickets are flying off the shelves as well.  We have sold over 75 tickets to date.  That is amazing.  Thanks to Lorelei Schoendienst and Joe Burum for all of their hard work.  If you haven't gotten a ticket yet, be sure to reserve yours soon.

The biggest highlight of that week, and of the Centennial so far is undoubtedly the success of our Centennial Sponsorship program.  We have secured five sponsors to date.  At the Bronze Level ($1,000) those include Bob's Space Racers and Galaxy Amusement Sales.  At the Silver Level ($2,500) we have Kaliff Insurance.  Ron Porter and Fare Foods has stepped up to be a Platinum Sponsor ($10,000) and Allied Specialty Insurance is our Emerald Sponsor pledging an AMAZING $25,000!  A big thanks to all of our sponsors.  Without their support our Centennial celebration would have no hope of being as successful as it is.  Sponsorships are still available; please contact me if you are interested.

Fraternally,

Chris Atkins

Final Version of Changes to the Constitution and By-Laws of the Showmen's League of America - Approved in Las Vegas

Sam Johnston's SLA Long-Range Planning Committee produced the changes you'll find in the link below. The changes were voted on at our annual meeting at the convention in Las Vegas November 27 and approved with no votes against and only one abstention.

The changes update and modernize many aspects of the By-Laws and will work well for the best of the League.

The document posted here shows the original wording and the changes. The final version will be available after signing.

SLA Constitution and By-Laws November 2012 (PDF)