Sometimes the summer months have their way of stealing away your attention. Warm weather rolls around and suddenly you begin to feel like your younger self again, waiting at school for the bell to ring, to release you from all your duties. Unfortunately, the real world doesn't believe in a summer break. Your office may feel more like a holding cell than a work place over the next few months, but with ingenuity and a few cool apps here are a couple ways to keep your mind focused and your day flying by!
- Plan ahead – Create a to-do list before starting the work day.
- Do smaller tasks – One large project can be overwhelming, split projects into smaller and easier tasks to accomplish in a timely manner.
- Simplify your work space - Have the bare minimum on your desk, in an effort of making your tendency to get less distracted compared to a cluttered work space.
- Take little breaks – Hard work followed by quick breaks, is more beneficial then never taking a break and becoming lackadaisical.
- Reward Yourself – You don’t have to wait until your vacation to receive a reward. You can look forward to getting a candy bar at lunch, if you have completed the most crucial parts of your to-do list.
- Pinpoint the problem – Realizing the cause behind your loss of focus is the first step in fixing the problem.
- Wear headphones – Take advantage of the unspoken rule that you can’t speak to someone wearing headphones, and in that time work at your own pace or the pace of your music, but either way work interruption free.
- Try Caffeine – It helps you stay alert and concentrate throughout the day. If coffee isn’t an option for you, try chewing gum!
- Try an App -
- Plan Ahead Apps : Wunderlist, Asana and Evernote
- Take a Break Apps: Quiz up and Anxiety Free
- Music Apps: Pandora, Spotify and Stitcher radio
We can all agree being stuck in an office probably isn’t at the top of our list of fun summer activities to do, but hopefully these useful tips and apps can help you stay focused and actually get some work done this summer between your daydreams of being at the beach.
Seeding Change
All of us in the fair industry have been extremely challenged by our chair, Debbie Dreyfus-Schronk, and her “Seeding Change” initiative.
Last year’s “Dream Big” campaign showed the entire world the impact our industry could have when we worked together toward the common goal of combating hunger in our communities. Debbie’s challenge simply takes that collaboration to a whole new level as we explore all of the areas in our communities that fairs can impact.
So what is “Seeding Change”? As defined by Nancy Smith of the South Carolina State Fair, “’Seeding Change’ is (a) sharing stories of how fairs are impacting/changing/collaborating with their communities and (b) encouraging other fairs to start seeding change – to understand the vital role they play in their community and tools to help them take the lead. It’s also about impacting lives and recognizing the important role fairs play in educating our communities about everything from agriculture to technology.”
When one pauses for a moment to take in that definition, it might be easy to get overwhelmed. Is my fair “seeding change” in any way? Are we doing anything to impact our community?
Don’t search or think too hard, but the reality is that every fair is “seeding change” in some way. Whether it is providing opportunities for school kids to learn about agriculture, or giving 4-H Clubs a place to have their meetings during the year; whether it’s donating admission and carnival tickets to local libraries to encourage reading, or hosting a local Relay for Life, we are all “seeding change” – without even realizing it.
To get some ideas on what other fairs are doing, please visit the IAFE website to read the “harvest stories” and watch the video clips that have been submitted by other fairs. It will inspire you to think about all of the positive change and impact our fairs are having on our communities and our nation.
Perhaps it will even inspire you to submit your “seeding change” project so others can see what you are doing! Be proud – you are “seeding change”!
YPI VIP Highlight
Corporate Sales & Premium Seating Manager
Front Row Marketing
Loveland, Colorado
Casandra Bossingham was born and raised in Gering, Neb. Her parents ran a catering business where she worked special events at a very young age. This is where she was introduced to the county fair scene by working at her parents’ food booth at the Scotts Bluff County Fair, Mitchell, Neb., beginning at age 8 and continuing well into her adult years.
After high school, Ms. Bossingham attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and received her bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Administration with an emphasis in Special Event Management. She worked for a destination management company, Baskow & Associates in Las Vegas, for a year and then returned home to work as an event manager for her parents’ catering company.
“I worked the booth at Scotts Bluff County Fair even when I was attending college in Las Vegas. The county fair was my ‘vacation’ every year,” stated Ms. Bossingham.
In 2011, she took the marketing & office manager position with Laramie County Fair in Cheyenne, Wyo. Here, she was responsible for the exhibitors, vendors, advertising, public relations, facility rentals, and bookkeeping, as well as, assisting with entertainers. During her short time at Laramie County Fair, attendance increased by 300% and the fair saw a 95% increase in sponsorship. Ms. Bossingham also worked hard to restructure the fair’s budget and in turn, was able to place $160,000 in two years into a building fund to help begin the process to build the first home the fair could call its own in over 80 years.
In October of 2013, Ms. Bossingham was offered a position with Global Spectrum at Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colo., as group sales manager. This took her out of the position of having just a fair to plan and into a venue management position with large events held every weekend. In January of 2014, Ms. Bossingham was promoted to corporate sales & premium seating manager with Front Row Marketing. She is now selling sponsorship for the Larimer County Fair and for events year round on the 374 acre fairground complex, The Ranch, as well as, inside the 7,200 seat Budweiser Events Center.
In addition to her career, Ms. Bossingham has been involved with Leadership Scotts Bluff, Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs, Wyoming Association of Fairs, Colorado Association of Fairs and Shows, the IAFE Sponsorship Committee, and the IAFE YPI Steering Committee. She enjoys golfing, skiing, and spending time with her 9-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter.
After high school, Ms. Bossingham attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and received her bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Administration with an emphasis in Special Event Management. She worked for a destination management company, Baskow & Associates in Las Vegas, for a year and then returned home to work as an event manager for her parents’ catering company.
“I worked the booth at Scotts Bluff County Fair even when I was attending college in Las Vegas. The county fair was my ‘vacation’ every year,” stated Ms. Bossingham.
In 2011, she took the marketing & office manager position with Laramie County Fair in Cheyenne, Wyo. Here, she was responsible for the exhibitors, vendors, advertising, public relations, facility rentals, and bookkeeping, as well as, assisting with entertainers. During her short time at Laramie County Fair, attendance increased by 300% and the fair saw a 95% increase in sponsorship. Ms. Bossingham also worked hard to restructure the fair’s budget and in turn, was able to place $160,000 in two years into a building fund to help begin the process to build the first home the fair could call its own in over 80 years.
In October of 2013, Ms. Bossingham was offered a position with Global Spectrum at Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colo., as group sales manager. This took her out of the position of having just a fair to plan and into a venue management position with large events held every weekend. In January of 2014, Ms. Bossingham was promoted to corporate sales & premium seating manager with Front Row Marketing. She is now selling sponsorship for the Larimer County Fair and for events year round on the 374 acre fairground complex, The Ranch, as well as, inside the 7,200 seat Budweiser Events Center.
In addition to her career, Ms. Bossingham has been involved with Leadership Scotts Bluff, Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs, Wyoming Association of Fairs, Colorado Association of Fairs and Shows, the IAFE Sponsorship Committee, and the IAFE YPI Steering Committee. She enjoys golfing, skiing, and spending time with her 9-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter.
Mentor Spotlight
Gene Cassidy
Eastern States Exposition
West Springfield, Massachusetts
How long have you been in the fair industry?
Since December 6, 1993
Eastern States Exposition
West Springfield, Massachusetts
How long have you been in the fair industry?
Since December 6, 1993
What’s the best lesson you have learned in the industry / or the hardest?
Those of us who are fortunate enough to work in this industry, are among the luckiest people on earth. What we do is important. We promote values and principles and hard work. In fact, I suggest that what we do in a society that continuously compromises itself, becomes more important every day. So, the lesson is, to pay attention to our impact, nurture it, because in life you'll encounter many who say all the right things, but its far more important to do the right things; and that's what we do, we do good.
What’s your favorite fair food?
Shushhh! I'm not supposed to have a favorite: I love all fair food. But if you promise not to tell, I absolutely love and MUST have as frequently as possible.....fried cheese curds.
What do you feel is the biggest change / challenge you have faced?
In my 20 year career at Eastern States Exposition, what I have seen change most are the regulations we have to deal with, and how those regulation impact the events we produce. Those impacts often limit what we can show and compromise educational efforts. Those impacts are often created by special interests who have no knowledge of agriculture and it troubles me greatly.
What question would you ask a mentor?
How would you recommend I increase admission sales?
If you could give one piece of advice what would that be?
Be kind. Kindness in the one thing you can invest in that never fails to earn a return. I'm a big fan of St. Paul and he said it best: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in all circumstances give thanks.
What’s the one thing during the fair you can’t live without?
I suppose if I responded by saying "sunshine" that would sound trite. The fact is, what carries me through the length of the fair each year are the people of the fair, the friendships, the admiration that I feel for so many volunteers and employees, and concessionaires and exhibitors all who work so hard in their respective roles. It is most rewarding to be a witness to that each year.
What’s your advice on handling failure?
No one likes to fail. But failure isn't bad unless you make it so. Failure should be used as a personal learning tool. The fact is; if you don't fail once-in-awhile, it means you aren't doing enough, you're not trying enough. Now, learn from it, get over it and move on.
What’s your favorite quote?
"Time is an army marching against us. It cannot be fought, it cannot be outrun. Use what time you have prudently and be just." (Eugene P. Kearns 3/27/01) That is a quote written to me by my maternal Grandfather (I always capitalize reference to him) on the occasion of his 94th birthday. That quote, put in the context of a 94 year life tells us that a lifetime is short, no matter its length. I think that is very powerful. As the Latin's would say: Carpe Diem!
Who is your role model / mentor?
The Grand Gentleman quoted above.
YPI Reminders
- Start seeding change and share how your fair is positively impacting your community. For more information and how to share your story, CLICK HERE.
- Join the YPI Facebook Discussion Group to connect with other YPI members, CLICK HERE.
- Tell us what you want to see featured in the YPI Newsletter, CLICK HERE.
