Governed by an appointed Board of Directors, daily operations are managed by the Chief Executive Officer and permanent staff of approximately 55. Each year more than 2,000 temporary employees are hired by Cal Expo or key business partners to operate the annual 17-day State Fair. Cal Expo is a self–sufficient State agency that receives no government general or special fund support.
The governing body of the California Exposition & State Fair is an 11–member Board of Directors, that must all be residents of California. Nine (9) directors are appointed by the Governor, one director by the Speaker of the Assembly and one director by Senate Rules Committee.