November 2015 YPI Newsletter

5 Ways to Make the Most of the IAFE Convention

Whether this is your first time attending the IAFE Convention or you come every year, there is a lot to experience in just a few short days. From preparing beforehand to having a great time while you're there, here's what you need to know to make the most of this event. 

1.  SET YOUR GOALS
Goal setting is often overlooked when preparing for a convention. Take time to think about what you would like to achieve while you’re at the IAFE Convention. Are you there to build or extend contacts, gain or share new ideas, or find answers to questions? Whatever your goals, if your focus is clear, you'll be more likely to maximize your experience. 

2. DO YOUR HOMEWORK
Once you set your goals, it is time to do a little research. Download the convention schedule before the event to familiarize yourself with the workshops, programs, roundtables and more. Make a list of hot topics to cover or booths to visit in the trade show to help achieve those goals. Need to learn what on Earth Snapchat is? Make a note to “BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)” to the Tech Workbench and someone can fill you in. Wondering what your Fair will do about poultry shows in 2016? Hit the round table and connect with your peers from other fairs.  

3. PLAN YOUR DAY
After reviewing the day’s agenda, make a plan. First, highlight events you want to attend, from workshops to round tables to visiting the Ed Shed. Since you can’t be in two places at once, consider splitting up and sharing notes later if you are attending with colleagues from your fair or festival. Next, work in any meetings with new contacts or friends from afar. Need a place to meet? Swing by the Chit Chat Suite. Finally, carve out some time to peruse the trade show. Be sure to walk through aisle by aisle so you don’t miss a thing! 

Helpful Hint: Have all your group members’ cell phone numbers programmed into your phone so that you can easily connect if you get separated or discover something you want to share.

4. HAVE YOUR MATERIALS READY
Pen? Check. Notebook? Check. Business Cards? Check and double check.
Be sure to have an ample supply of business cards that is easily accessible without having to dig through your purse or pockets. You don't want to keep people waiting or appear disorganized. Have a place to keep your incoming cards; your badge holder works well for this.  Since you'll be walking a lot, wear comfortable—but well-maintained—shoes. Speaking of walking - don't forget your pedometer. Bring your step count to the IAFE Registration Desk between 2 and 3 p.m. each day as a part of the Step It Up Challenge, sponsored by Swifty Swine Productions. The most steps for that day wins a prize!

Helpful Hint:  Always have a pen on hand to take notes on business cards you receive to remind you of why you met and any follow-up plans. 

5. PERFECT YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH
We could always use a little refresher when it comes to networking skills, and preparing a 30- to 60-second "elevator pitch" about you and your fair is the perfect way to get started. Given that you're bound to see others wearing their trusty IAFE Convention badges in the elevator and may really put the pitch to task, now is a great time to prepare to make a new friend on your way from the lobby to your destination. 

Helpful Hint: Need a little help? Mark your calendar for November 30 at 10:15 a.m. for “Pitch Perfect – Perfecting your Elevator Pitch” and you can learn all about how to get your pitch (and your fair’s) just right. 

Get Social - Ride the High Roller with YPI

The IAFE YPI has reserved a private cabin on the 550-foot-tall High Roller at the nearby LINQ promenade on Monday, November 30. The wheel takes 30 minutes to complete one full revolution and features 28 glass-enclosed cabins with broad views of the famed resort city. There are benches on either side of the cabin, with plenty of floor space in between. Due to limited space, you are encouraged to purchase your ticket in advance online.

Don’t love heights? Don’t worry. Let’s meet at the Yard House at 9:30 p.m. at the base of the High Roller for some social fun. Those riding can meet us after!

Get involved - volunteer!

IAFE needs you! Help make the Convention a success and meet a few friendly new faces in the process as a volunteer. There are still a few opportunities to get involved by clicking the links below: 

• Directions, EdShed, General Volunteer opportunities
• Door monitors
• Round Table monitors

YPI Convention Activities

Mentor Spotlight: Meet Russ Harrison

Russ Harrison, Rudy's Pizza

How long have you been in the fair industry?
25 years
 
What do you feel is the biggest change / challenge you have faced?
The biggest change and challenges are government regulations.
 
If you could give one piece of advice what would that be?
  We are in the entertainment business and it's all about entertaining our guest.
 
What’s your advice on handling failure?
  Failure makes you evaluate yourself to do better
 
What’s your favorite quote?  
ʺYou can learn a lot just by observing.ʺ Yogi Berra
 
Who is your role model / mentor?
  In the outdoor amusement industry Mr. Bob Commerford has always been my role model/mentor.

Announcements

• Participate in the Igniter – IAFE Discussion Board! If you haven't already joined, now is the time to sign up for the IAFE's online member service. The board allows you to post questions/discussions, reply to topics, post document resources, look up contacts, and to network. This is an incredibly simple way for you to easily interact and communicate online and exchange ideas, experience, knowledge, and wisdom with your peers. Click here for instructions on how to use the board. Already signed up? Log in to participate and start a topic.
• Join the YPI Facebook Discussion Group - To connect with other YPI members, click here. 
• Post on social - Tell us what you're up to! Post using #IAFEYPI and #IAFE2015. You might just get retweeted! We're on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! 
• Talk to us - To tell us what you want to see featured in the YPI Newsletter, click here.

July 2015 YPI Newsletter

Work/Life Balance

Many of us YPI, constantly struggle to maintain a positive and healthy work/life balance. It is often a question many of us ask ourselves around that annual seasonal time of year: the Fair (YAY!).


Many of us are fortunate enough to have an environment where we can carefully combine work and home life. As Fair season starts to hit full swing and the working hours per week seem to escalate, keep in mind your overall happiness, health and well being. Technology makes us accessible around the clock to our exhibitors, stakeholders and public. Remember to put limits and prioritize continuously throughout your day.


Some suggestions to help get us through those months, where the to do list never ends:

• Don't be afraid to ask for help. Involve coworkers and family members. 
• Managing time appropriately. Set time limits to make you work faster and more efficiently 
• Living a well rounded lifestyle. Try not to eat so much fried dough, and exercise, to release those healthy endorphins 
• Unplug. Take 10 minutes a day to just be offline if not more. 
• Set goals for the day and prioritize continuously. 
• Remember, the Fair will come whether we are ready or not. Focus on the things that are most important and continue to pursue excellence in all things.

Scholarships for Attendees Under 40

Scholarships are available to folks under the age of 40 involved at member fairs who would like to attend the annual IAFE Convention and Trade Show for the first time. Working with the Young Professionals Initiative (YPI) committee, IAFE zones are providing scholarships to help cover the expenses of travel and accommodations to attend the convention. The IAFE is providing a complimentary delegate registration to each recipient. Applications are due August 31, 2015

Convention Scholarships
Zone 1 Application Two scholarships at $1,000

Zone 2 Application Two scholarships at $1,000

Zone 3 Application Five scholarships at $600 (one for each state/province in Zone 3)

Zone 4 Application Five scholarships at $500  (one for each U.S. state and Canadian 

provinces in Zone 4)

Zone 5 Application One scholarship at $750

Zone 6 Application One scholarship at $500

Zone 7 Application One scholarship at $500

Zone 8 Application Two scholarships at $500

For more information check out: http://www.iafeconvention.com/#!registration/cee5

Be A Rising Star!

One of the goals of the YPI was to create a “Rising Star Award” to recognize leadership and industry contributions of IAFE members, age 40 and younger. Nominate an outstanding young person leading the way in the IAFE. Rising Star recipients will be awarded at the convention. Nominations are due by August 31, 2015. For more information visit: https://www.fairsandexpos.com/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?Site=IAFE&WebCode=YPI

Mentor Spotlight

John Sykes, East Texas State Fair
Chair, IAFE Board Of Directors

How long have you been in the fair industry?

20 + years

What’s the best lesson you have learned in the industry / or the hardest?

Plan, plan, plan, plan and then execute. Don't execute before you've planned and re-planned at least four times. Fighting fires during the event because the team planned improperly is exhausting. Plan for everything in advance and then execute the plan with a smile.

Also, never be afraid to try something new. Widen your stripes!

What’s your favorite fair food?

Don't really have a favorite. I'm one of those fair people who lose their appetite during the fair (probably due to adrenaline). But, I will always consume at least one corn dog, a smoked meatloaf sandwich and a grilled pepper during the fair. I'm not a big sweet eater so if I get a funnel cake, I make sure I have several people to share it with!

What do you feel is the biggest change / challenge you have faced?

Addressing a stagnant, declining event with a new strategic, contemporary plan that I knew would not make everyone happy. It took a sound plan bought into by a majority of stakeholders, high communication with all parties, consistent enforcement and promises upheld. We now have a 100 year old fair that has returned to being a very family oriented event, very safe and is prospering. The fair is reaching a new audience via a new generation. It has kept its roots, but is appealing to 25-35 year olds as its main audience.

What question would you ask a mentor?

Did you stay too long? Was there a time when you needed to reach higher or move out of the way? Was there a new challenge you missed you wished you could go back and take? Were the boundaries around your career limiting or comforting.........or both?

(I know this is written in past tense, so, understandably, I would change it to present tense for some mentors).

If you could give one piece of advice what would that be?

Stay calm in all cases. Whatever the situation, lead with whatever leadership style(s) you are gifted with, but stay calm. This is the inner core characteristic of a respected leader.

I know you asked for one, but I cannot ignore this one: Don't be afraid to share control. Sharing control can be very good provided you as the leader have set sound, proper goals to achieve. Control too many times is linked to ego and too much of one ego can sink a ship. Just be sure you work closely with the people who areʺhelpingʺ steer the ship. 

What’s the one thing during the fair you can’t live without?

Comfortable shoes. (and iced tea)

What’s your advice on handling failure?

In most cases, the word failure does not exist in my vocabulary. Mistakes are possible, but not failure. Mistakes, made while in action trying to succeed and working hard, will get praise. Mistakes made while being inattentive, lazy or disconnected will get you in trouble. So, as long as you're working and trying to achieve your goal, mistakes are going to happen. Just correct your course, learn from them and move on.

Also, read my favorite quote below. It addresses failure in a different perspective.

What’s your favorite quote?

ʺIt is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.ʺ - Theodore Roosevelt from ʺCitizenship in a Republic,ʺ Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910 

Who is your role model / mentor?

I have many. While it is not fair to list them, I can tell you the characteristics of my role models: Dignity. Grace under pressure. Honest. Clear/transparent. Decisive. Inspirational. Strategic. Knows when to fold 'em. Sets goals, writes them down, makes a plan and then works on them every single day. Trustworthy. Confident he/she won't change in mid-course causing catastrophe for the followers.

Announcements

Participate in the new Igniter – IAFE Discussion Board! This is an online member service allowing you to post questions/discussions, reply to topics, post document resources, look up contacts, and to network. This is an incredibly simple way for you to easily interact and communicate online and exchange ideas, experience, knowledge, and wisdom with your peers.
For instructions on how to use the board, CLICK HERE.   When you're ready to participate or even start a topic, 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

April Newsletter

Spring Cleaning Challenge

It is spring cleaning time! Spring is the season when many of us set aside more time than usual to get rid of the grime and dirt that has accumulated between now and the previous year’s spring cleaning.  This spring you are challenged to not only take on the cleaning side of spring, but to make an effort to clear the excess clutter from your living area. This clutter includes; your junk drawers, hall closets, bathroom cabinets, clothes you never wear and any other areas that accumulate junk. 

Why is this challenge one worth accepting? It will pay off in the end! It will not only clear and simplify your living space, you could also get rewarded financially! The average home has $7,000 worth of unused items taking up space, according to a study by market research firm NPD Group. (CNNMoney)  With the easy access to helpful websites and apps, it is easier than ever to turn your unused items that cause clutter into cash in your pocket!
 Listed below are ideas of where to sell your unwanted items online!  

• A little bit of everything
• Shopify
• Local Online Garage Sale Facebook group
• Amazon
• Craigslist
• Electronics
• Nextworth
• Furniture
• Chairish
• Clothing
• Thredup
• Books
• Bookscouter
• Gift Cards
• Giftcardgranny  
• Allows you to turn in an unwanted gift card in exchange for one you want!

Also, let’s not forget the good old fashion garage sale, pawn shops, and resale shops.  If all else fails, no need to be discouraged, there are countless charities and organizations that are more than happy to take your clutter off your hands. Some groups will even go as far as picking it up from your doorstep upon your request! Look at your local Habitat for Humanity and Goodwill for locations and services.  


Once you are free of your clutter it will make the annual deep cleaning process that much more rewarding. Not only will you walk away from this year’s spring cleaning with some extra cash in your pocket, you could also make your future cleaning and organizing sessions half the time and work! 

We want your input on the future of Convention

The contract IAFE has with The Paris/Bally’s hotel in Las Vegas is ending after the 2017 Convention and it is necessary for the Association to consider other facilities for 2018 and beyond. Last year RFPs were sent to numerous potential facilities in Las Vegas and around the US. Essential elements in those proposals included affordable hotel room rates for our members attending, the costs for our exhibitors in the trade show, and availability of our preferred dates.  Five facilities are now under consideration based upon those criteria.

Your feedback is important to us. On the very short survey at the link below you will be asked simply if you would or would not attend a Convention in the particular location noted. There is of course, a place for you to anonymously provide comment or other feedback.

Click on this link, please, by April 13! 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1LijAlgTZR8rNx5gVi5mFbuWdhlHY_uD2FT0YaNZ3Xd8/viewform?edit_requested=true

YPI Steering Committee

The YPI Steering Committee exists to provide overall direction, dialogue with IAFE board and staff, and professional development and networking opportunities for the under-40 fair professionals group at large.

Interested in serving on the committee? Simply fill out the Steering Committee Application Form and e-mail it to Marla Calico, marlac@fairsandexpos.com, no later than May 29, 2015. Only individuals within IAFE Zones 1,3,5, 7 and associate members can apply.


YPI Steering Committee members serve two-year terms and are responsible for:

• Participating in bi-monthly conference calls
• Assisting with planning YPI events at conventions and conferences
• Recruiting and encouraging new under-40 professionals to join YPI
• Attending YPI events at conventions and conferences

The YPI Steering Committee is continually looking for ways to grow the YPI group and make new connections. If you are a young fair leader or know someone who is, connect with YPI via Facebook by searching "YPI Professionals Initiative - IAFE" or send contact information to YPI Steering Committee Chair, Jen Puente, Jennifer.Puente@wistatefair.com.

Download the application link here:  https://www.fairsandexpos.com/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?Site=IAFE&WebCode=YPI#committee

YPI Spotlight

Mallory Hines
Entertainment Director
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
San Antonio, Texas

Can’t live without during fairtime: Sleep! Oh, you mean a physical item? A Neti Pot.  It isn’t pretty, but it’s my secret to staying healthy while surrounded by dirt.

Favorite Spot to unwind after the fair: The coast. Spending time on the water in beautiful sunshine is refreshing after being hunkered down in the arena basement.

If you weren’t involved with fairs: I am lucky to have the opportunity to work with music at a fair, combining many things I’m passionate about. If I had to do something else, I would love anything that preserves and teaches music history.

Favorite involvement outside of the fair: Big Brothers Big Sisters is dear to my heart; we get the opportunity to mentor the coolest kids. My match is a dynamic high school senior that I’ve had the pleasure of growing up with since she started middle school. I love picking the kids’ brains about the latest entertainment trends.

Most important issue facing the fair industry today: 
Relevancy. Maintaining the traditional elements of our events that are so important to our industry and long-time patrons, while embracing changing demographics, priorities, and attitudes without compromising our family first approach to bring new patrons to our grounds to hear the story of agriculture.

YPI Reminders

• Participate in the new Igniter – IAFE Discussion Board! This is an online member service allowing you to post questions/discussions, reply to topics, post document resources, look up contacts, and to network. This is an incredibly simple way for you to easily interact and communicate online and exchange ideas, experience, knowledge, and wisdom with your peers.
  For instructions on how to use the board, click here.
  When you're ready to participate or even start a topic, 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.