Last Call: Convention Pre-Registration Due Nov. 1
After November 1, all registrations must take place on-site in Las Vegas
Have you had the opportunity to attend the annual IAFE Convention in the past? There are many reasons to go, such as:
- Keynote speakers to get you motivated
- Workshops on top-of-mind topics that apply to your fair
- Networking opportunities to meet colleagues from all over, who can be just a call or email away for advice and insight
- Roundtables to sit and chat with fellow fair folks about specific topics and concerns
- A trade show that has to be one of the most unique you'll ever see; whether you're looking for potential fair entertainers, online entry software, credit card processors, cashless providers, mobile app developers, insurance providers, master planning services or dozens of the other things it takes to run a fair, you can meet face-to-face with associate members at the best trade show around
Ready to register? Head over to www.iafeconvention.com for all of the information you need to register, book a hotel room, find travel discounts and preview the schedule of events.
Hang out with us at the Convention!
Carve out a little time from your busy Convention schedule to engage with other young professionals in the industry at some of our YPI Steering Committee hosted events:
Workshop: Meet the Millennials Game Show
Monday, Nov. 27, 10:15 – 11 am
Bally’s Bronze 1 & 2
Millennials, those of us born between 1981 and 1997, not only are the nation’s largest generation, but we also make up most of the YPI group aged 40 and under. Join us at a "game show" where millennial contestants will answer our host’s questions and the audience's about everything from how they hear the day’s news to what they think the fair industry future will look like. Fairs in attendance will be intrigued, surprised, and will walk away with knowledge that will help to learn how to hold an event for millennials, how to market to millennials, and how to work with millennials.
Monday, Nov. 27, 3 – 4:45 pm
Meeting and Happy Hour
Mix and mingle (🍷psst…drinks are on the house 🍻) at our annual YPI networking meeting and happy hour. We’ll split into groups by zone for a chance to meet fellow young pros close to home, and by profession to “pick the brains” of fair colleagues in your area of expertise.
Monday, Nov. 27
Nightly Social, 9:30 pm (ish)
Meet at Le Centre, the “Circle Bar” in the Paris Lobby - Come when you can, leave when you’re ready. We’ll be informally gathering for conversation (and cocktails, if you choose).
Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2:45 – 4 pm
Ment-a-Minute
This popular annual speed networking event has to be the fastest way to meet industry pros from across the country, hands down.
Tuesday, Nov. 28, 7:30 – 9:30 pm*
TopGolf (behind MGM)
Trek over to TopGolf for a fun event sponsored by YPI, but open to everyone. Take a swing at the microchipped golf balls to see your accuracy and distance at a one-of-a-kind networking event. Last year’s TopGolf outing was a blast, and this year’s will only get better!
*Cost is $35 per person. Advance registration is required. Attendees will meet at 7 pm by the Paris Hotel check-in area, then walk as a group to TopGolf at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.
Wednesday, Nov. 29
Nightly Social, 9:30 pm (ish)
Meet at Le Centre, the “Circle Bar” in the Paris Lobby - It’s your last chance to gather with fellow industry young pros before you head home. Swing by at your leisure to chat and hang at the “circle bar” at Paris.
YPI VIP Spotlight
Workshop: Meet the Millennials Game Show
Monday, Nov. 27, 10:15 – 11 am
Bally’s Bronze 1 & 2
Millennials, those of us born between 1981 and 1997, not only are the nation’s largest generation, but we also make up most of the YPI group aged 40 and under. Join us at a "game show" where millennial contestants will answer our host’s questions and the audience's about everything from how they hear the day’s news to what they think the fair industry future will look like. Fairs in attendance will be intrigued, surprised, and will walk away with knowledge that will help to learn how to hold an event for millennials, how to market to millennials, and how to work with millennials.
Monday, Nov. 27, 3 – 4:45 pm
Meeting and Happy Hour
Mix and mingle (🍷psst…drinks are on the house 🍻) at our annual YPI networking meeting and happy hour. We’ll split into groups by zone for a chance to meet fellow young pros close to home, and by profession to “pick the brains” of fair colleagues in your area of expertise.
Monday, Nov. 27
Nightly Social, 9:30 pm (ish)
Meet at Le Centre, the “Circle Bar” in the Paris Lobby - Come when you can, leave when you’re ready. We’ll be informally gathering for conversation (and cocktails, if you choose).
Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2:45 – 4 pm
Ment-a-Minute
This popular annual speed networking event has to be the fastest way to meet industry pros from across the country, hands down.
Tuesday, Nov. 28, 7:30 – 9:30 pm*
TopGolf (behind MGM)
Trek over to TopGolf for a fun event sponsored by YPI, but open to everyone. Take a swing at the microchipped golf balls to see your accuracy and distance at a one-of-a-kind networking event. Last year’s TopGolf outing was a blast, and this year’s will only get better!
*Cost is $35 per person. Advance registration is required. Attendees will meet at 7 pm by the Paris Hotel check-in area, then walk as a group to TopGolf at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.
Wednesday, Nov. 29
Nightly Social, 9:30 pm (ish)
Meet at Le Centre, the “Circle Bar” in the Paris Lobby - It’s your last chance to gather with fellow industry young pros before you head home. Swing by at your leisure to chat and hang at the “circle bar” at Paris.
Get Involved: Volunteer at the Convention!
Sign up by October 17
Sign up by October 17
Whether it is staffing the information booth, greeting fellow Convention attendees at the door, or volunteering in the IAFE Ed Shed, volunteers are vital to the Convention. Being a volunteer not only helps make the Convention a success, it also allows you to meet new people and learn more about the IAFE! Use the links below to sign up for current opportunities:
YPI VIP Spotlight
Cara Muhlenkamp
Fair Manager
Mercer County Fair
Celina, Ohio
Fair Manager
Mercer County Fair
Celina, Ohio
- How long have you been in the fair industry? - 13 years
- What advice do you have for anyone new to the industry? - Try to learn as much from the elders on your board. These individuals are a wealth of knowledge that will truly help you out. Also, know that change can be a good thing. Improvements and the path to success typically involves some sort of change.
- What’s your favorite fair food? - I really like it all, but if I had to pick one thing it would be the butterfly pork chop!
- What is your favorite fair (other than your own) that you've visited? - Indiana State Fair - I am originally from Indiana and have many fond memories of attending the Indiana State Fair with my family.
- What does the YPI network mean to you? - YPI is a great opportunity to connect with individuals in your industry, that have faced or are facing the same challenges. It is about learning from someone else's experiences.
- What is the best fair advice you've ever been given? - "It is what it is." Regardless of what happens, the fair is still going to happen every August in Mercer County. It doesn't matter what challenges arise. All bumps in the road will be worked through and we will still have a Fair that the community can be proud of.
- What’s your favorite fair memory? - We had not had concerts at our fair for many years. The public was wanting us to bring them back. In 2013, Joe Nicholas performed in front of our grandstand. It was such a wonderful feeling of accomplishment to see the community enjoying the concert.
- What is one item you can't live without during the Fair? - My awesome staff and board members! They keep everything going and put up with me asking them to do a million things during the week. They also keep me smiling during the stressful moments. We typically are always laughing and having fun.
- How did you get involved in the Fair industry? - My husband was on our local Fair Board. We made it a family affair and helped out together at all the events. Eventually I started working seasonally in the office to help prepare for the Fair. The position of Fair Manager opened up in 2012. It has been a fun and rewarding career path.
- Words of wisdom - Enjoy what you are doing! If you don't enjoy your job and show enthusiasm about your position, how are you going to fire up your board members, co-workers, and the community?
Mentor Spotlight
Danny AguilarThe Delaware State Fair, Inc.
Assistant General Manager & Director of Marketing
Harrington, Delaware
- How long have you been in the fair industry? - 10 years
- What’s the best / hardest lesson you have learned in the industry? - A very difficult lesson for me was you can't please everybody all the time, try to step back a look at the bigger picture.
- What’s your favorite fair food? - Shaved Ice & Deep Fried Snickers
- What do you feel is the biggest change / challenge you have faced? - Customer expectations have changed, customers are expecting more for their money and we are in competition for their entertainment dollar. It is important to engage the customer through as many communication channels as possible. #experientialmarketing
- What question would you ask a mentor? - I would want to chat about his/her thoughts on how to best reach the multiple generations that visit our fairs.
- If you could give one piece of advice what would that be? - Take time to drive in like you were a customer, get their perspective on parking, shuttles, buying a gate admission, and walking through the grounds.
- What’s the one thing during the fair you can’t live without? - A low temperature, low humidity day - we need a break from traditional July weather.
- What’s your advice on handling failure? - Learn from it - we are not perfect, mistakes happen.
- What’s your favorite quote? - "The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude in life" by Charles Swindoll
- Who is your role model / mentor? - My Parents - they taught me the importance of respect, patience and being committed to a cause.
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. If you have questions or need help logging in, please contact the IAFE office at 800-516-0313. 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 Young Professionals Initiative-IAFE - To connect with other YPI members, click here.
- Post on social - Tell us what you're up to! Post using #IAFEYPI. You might just get retweeted! We're on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
