Thursday, November 1, 2012

November Newsletter

YPI Events at IAFE Convention

Sunday, November 25

  • YPI Wine Pull: 6pm - 8pm, Planet Hollywood London Club


Monday, November 26

  • Rising Star Award Presentation: 8:30am, Champagne Ballroom
  • Mentor Mixer: 4:30pm - 6pm, Paris Versailles 3 & 4


Tuesday, November 27

  • YPI General Committee Meeting: 2:30pm, Bally's Event Center
    (All under-40 IAFE fair and associate members are invited!)
  • YPI Reception: 7:30pm - 8:30pm, Paris Versailles 1 & 2
    (Sponsored by Noise New Media and Sapphire Events)
  • Informal Night on the Town: 8:30pm, TBD

Wednesday, November 28

  • Generational Differences: 3:15pm - 4:30pm, Bally's Skyview 1
    How Do They Affect Us? (Sponsored by the Young Professionals Initiative)


New YPI Steering Committee Members

Amanda Blair, Tulsa State Fair, Zone 6 - Amanda Blair is an Oklahoma native, with strong ties in the Tulsa community.  After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, Amanda began her career at Expo Square, advancing from Assistant Ticket Office Manager to the Executive Manager of Sales & Maketing for Expo Square, as well as the Manager of the Tulsa State Fair.  While pursuing her career, she has completed her Master's in Public Administration and is a graduate of IAFE's Institute of Fair Managemnet.  In addition to her work at Expo Square, Amanda serves on the Event, Entertainment and Tourism Advisory Committee for Tulsa Technology Center and Habitat for Humanity Board.

Sara Renee Hallman, Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo, Zone 8 – Sara Renee Hallman was new to the fair industry when she joined the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo in Kennewick, Wash., as a temporary employee inputting entry data in 2005. Even though she didn’t have a background in fairs or knowledge of livestock terminology, she proved to be a quick learner and was soon hired as a full-time permanent employee. In her seven years at the Benton Franklin Fair, Sara Renee’s role has evolved and she now manages contracts, vendors, exhibitors and volunteers.

J.D. Linn, Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, Associate Representative - J.D. Linn is a producer for the recreation division of Haas & Wilkerson Insurance.  His division specializes in providing risk management consulting and insurance services to fairs, festivals, and large special events. He is also on Florida Festivals & Events Association’s board of directors. Prior to working at Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, J.D. graduated from the University of Kansas’ School of Economics.

Leah Norris, Lake County Fair, FL, Zone 2 - Norris was born and raised in Eustis.  She graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Food and Resource Economics.  While at UF, she was active in Sigma Alpha sorority, Gator Collegiate Cattlewomen, FRE-NAMA, and the Agriculture & Life Sciences College Council.  She is the 4th generation to be involved with the Lake County Fair, through either volunteering on the Board or as part of the staff.  Norris grew up on the fairgrounds, where her father, Happy Norris, CFE has been Manager since 1997.  Norris began her career in October of 2005, and became Assistant Manager in November 2011. 

Jen Puente, Wisconsin State Fair, Zone 4 - Jen Puente has been part of the fair her entire life.  In her current role as Sponsorship Manager for the Wisconsin State Fair, Jen focuses on securing, fulfilling and maintaining over 100 corporate partnerships totaling over $2.2 million dollars in gross sponsorship revenue for the annual Fair.  She is also involved with the Wisconsin Association of Fairs and the Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs program.  Outside of the Fair, she enjoys cheering for her favorite sports teams, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.

Steve Richo, Noise New Media, Associate Representative - Steve is currently in his fourth year of business at Noise New Media, the preeminent social media strategist for fairs, festivals and rodeos across the US. He oversees all aspects of technical and visual development at Noise. He is originally from Connecticut and enjoys traveling, baseball and all that Music City has to offer.


Zone Scholarships Awarded

Using their Zone Account funds, the IAFE Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 have selected young professionals from their geographic areas to attend the 2012 IAFE Annual Convention and Trade Show.  The YPI Zone Scholarship program, begun in 2010, has expanded with a total of 15 scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000 made available to young people ages 21 to 39 from member fairs.  Here’s a salute to the 2012 recipients:

Zone 1
Brandon Johnson, 29, is the entertainment chairperson for the Orleans County 4-H Fair in Medina, N.Y.  In this volunteer capacity, Brandon is responsible for booking and managing all aspects of the entertainment for his fair. He has attended the state association meeting in New York for seven years and attended the Pennsylvania association meeting on his own for two years just to see how fairs in other states are operating!

Paul Kennedy, 31, is the elected president of the Schuykill County Fair (PA) board serving in his 7th term as director. For his fair, he is the midway coordinator as well as the chief of safety and security.  He has been active in the Pennsylvania association meeting as a round table moderator and seminar presenter on issues of venue security and traffic.

Zone 2
Ismael Ramos, Jr. is on the staff of the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition, Fla., serving as the competitive exhibits manager. He coordinates over 400 volunteers in the department at the fair in addition to many other duties. He also is the key staff member working with schools to insure students have information about fair participation. Ismael, 32, recently enrolled in the IAFE’s Institute of Fair Management.

Hank Luton, 30, is the box office supervisor at the Salem Civic Center in Salem, Va., and part of the staff charged with putting on the annual Salem Fair. In addition to working with ticketing, Hank is involved in the social media and promotional marketing of the fair.  In the coming year, he will be picking up additional staff duties booking commercial exhibits.

Zone 3
Matt Wells and is director on the board for the Porter County Fair (Ind.) and also serves on the executive board. Matt, 27, works with the junior board, 4-H projects, the veterans’ recognition program and is also the fair’s historian. He has participated as a round table moderator and attended the Indiana association’s annual meeting for five years.

Jessica Vanderschee is the administrative assistant and event coordinator for the Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show (Simcoe, Ontario).  This 30 year old works with commercial exhibitors, assists with marketing to local schools and community groups, handles customer service and facility bookings – a “jack of all trades” according to the fair manager!

Zone 4
Maria Budnik, 29, is the fair administrator for the Wisconsin Valley Fair in Wausau, Wis.  She is responsible for all financial records and bookkeeping, working with 4-H, FFA, media, vendors, exhibitors and the fair board. She also supervises up to seven seasonal workers and over 80 fair-time employees.  Just 15 months on the job, Maria has already attended the Wisconsin State Convention and served as host for the IAFE Zone 4 meeting in 2012.

Jennifer Pickett is a director on the board of the Fillmore County Fair, Preston, Minn. All directors “work,” and this 34 year old has been involved in building stages, maintaining the conservation fish exhibit as well as doing plumbing on the grounds!  Jennifer is in charge of the sponsorship program for the fair. This fair has only been an IAFE member for two years, but Jennifer has represented it at the Zone 4 meetings both years. She also has attended the Minnesota Federation’s state and regional meetings.

Zone 5
Heidi Steffen, 34, is the marketing manager for the Linn County Fair in Central City, Iowa.  She develops the marketing plans, handles all aspects of promotion and production and is also the fair’s official spokesperson.  In addition, she manages the grandstand events and serves on a number of fair committees.  Since joining the fair in 2005, Heidi has attended every state Convention and attended her first Zone 5 meeting in 2012.

Zone 7
Alli Barnes, 27, is just four months on the job as the coordinator for the Davis County Fair in Utah.  Alli is responsible for all fair preparations, marketing, sponsorships, promotions, and volunteers – all aspects of the fair.  She brings to the county fair a background in event planning and is excited about the opportunities and challenges she is encountering in her new job.


YPI VIP Highlight

Amanda Blair
Fair Manager
Tulsa State Fair
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Amanda Blair is a Tulsa-born native with deep roots in the Sooner State. After finishing high school, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Oklahoma. While pursuing her career at Expo Square, she has completed her Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma and is a graduate of the IAFE Institute of Fair Management.

Blair is the executive manager of sales and marketing for Expo Square, as well as the manager of the Tulsa State Fair. She began her career path at Expo Square as the assistant manager of the ticket office in 2005. Since then, Ms. Blair contributed to the organization as the marketing and media relations manager from 2007-2008. Both roles provided a foundation and well-rounded background in event planning and execution. Her leadership and accomplishments at Expo Square and the Tulsa State Fair illustrated her commitment to excellence, which earned her the opportunity to become fair manager in October 2008.

Over the past four years, Ms. Blair has been challenged to produce the community’s largest event, the Tulsa State Fair, which she called “an enriching opportunity to provide an educational and entertaining experience that continues our Oklahoma heritage.” She possesses a great deal of gratitude to those who have taught her, and is a firm believer that one’s education is never complete.

During her career as fair manager, she has emphasized a collaborative team effort approach with a focus on creativity, professionalism, and striving to have a lasting impact on the Tulsa community. In 2011, she was instrumental in the Inaugural Corndog Classic 5K Run, which provided an avenue for the fair to give back to a community that has been supportive for more than 100 years. Ms. Blair’s passion and progressive approach has enabled her to refine the Tulsa State Fair’s focus, creating an environment that has yielded an increase in revenue and attendance.

In addition to her career, she serves on the Event, Entertainment and Tourism Advisory Committee for Tulsa Technology Center, Habitat for Humanity Board, and most recently, has been elected to serve on the IAFE YPI Steering Committee as the Zone 6 Representative beginning November 2012. Ms. Blair is currently in Leadership Tulsa Class 47 and has been recognized by Tulsa Business Journal and Oklahoma Magazine as a Top 40 under 40.

She thrives in a fast paced environment and looks forward to continuing her career in the fair and event industry.