Many of us younger generation adults are balancing work and college. Some of us are also adding a spouse and a child or two. We often find ourselves struggling to maintain a positive, healthy balance while juggling so many things on our never ending list of things we need to do. Fair season is upon many of us right now and this does not make that list any shorter!
Many of us are blessed to have an environment where we can carefully combine work and home life. Some of us are also blessed with a great support system at home. As our fair dates get closer and our work week escalates, keep in mind your happiness, health and wellbeing. Technology makes us accessible around the clock to our exhibitors, vendors and the 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:
Scholarships for Attendees
Scholarships are available to folks involved at member fairs who would like to attend the annual IAFE Convention and Trade Show. Below are the available scholarships with a small description. Applications are due August 31, 2017Many of us are blessed to have an environment where we can carefully combine work and home life. Some of us are also blessed with a great support system at home. As our fair dates get closer and our work week escalates, keep in mind your happiness, health and wellbeing. Technology makes us accessible around the clock to our exhibitors, vendors and the 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:
- Build some downtime into your schedule - even just a few minutes to recharge and rest. Remember that a little relaxation goes a long way.
- 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 (those darn greasy carbs), and exercise, to release those healthy endorphins
- Unplug. Take 10 minutes a day, if not more, just be offline
- 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
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 5 Application Two scholarships at $750
**Zone 6 Application Two scholarships at $500
**Zone 7 Application Two scholarships at $500
**Zone 8 Application Two scholarships at $500
IAFE Institute of Fair Management Course Enrollee Scholarships:
Bob Williams Application One scholarship at $500 Applicant must be an Institute enrollee, from Zone 4, and from a small fair (less than 50,000 in attendance).Bob Williams Memorial Application One scholarship at $500 Applicant must be an institute enrollee, from Zone 4
Cow Palace Scholarship Application One scholarship at $500. Applicant must be from Zone 8 and an enrollee in the Institute.
Errol McKoy Application Up to twenty scholarships of $500. Any Institute enrollee is eligible to apply. This will be the final year for the McKoy Scholarship.
Kitchen Craft Application Twenty scholarships at $500. Any Institute enrollee is eligible to apply.
- For more information on YPI Zone Scholarships checkout: https://www.fairsandexpos.com/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?Site=IAFE&WebCode=YPIScholarships
- For more information on IAFE Scholarships checkout: https://www.fairsandexpos.com/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?Site=IAFE&WebCode=InstituteScholarships
** YPI Zone Scholarships
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. A Rising Star recipient will be honored at the IAFE Convention. Nominations are due by August 31, 2017. For more information visit: https://s3.amazonaws.com/iafe/website/documents/2017RisingStarAward.pdf
Mentor Spotlight
Nancy Smith, CFEAssistant General Manager
South Caroline State Fair
Columbia, SC
- How long have you been in the fair industry? 35 + years
- What’s the best lesson you have learned in the industry / or the hardest? Always be a servant and remember it is a great opportunity to serve others in this industry. It's not about me, it's about those I serve.
- What’s your favorite fair food? Daley's Jalapeno Corn Dogs
- What do you feel is the biggest change / challenge you have faced? Keeping our industry relevant and telling the story of what fairs do and the positive difference they make in our communities and states.
- What question would you ask a mentor? Why do you do what you do
- If you could give one piece of advice what would that be? We have a unique opportunity to make a positive difference in many people's lives. Don't waste it!
- What’s the one thing during the fair you can’t live without? Smiles, Sounds, Smells, Lights, and Excitement of our patrons as I walk the grounds.
- What’s your advice on handling failure? Look at failure as a road to a better future. Learn from such, take a deep breath and move on.
- What’s your favorite quote? ʺJesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.ʺ
- Who is your role model / mentor? My now 100 1/2 year old mother, Mary Smith
YPI Spotlight
Michelle Johnson
Culinary Program Coordinator
California State Fair
California State Fair
Sacramento, CA
- How long have you been in the fair industry? Since 2002
- What advice do you have for anyone new to the industry? Make it fun. Make it nice. Make it a place for people. Our job is great because we get to create fun for our guests! Another great thing about this business is that there are seasons. Every year you will be surprised with new challenges, each of which will teach you something to make the next year better.
- What’s your favorite fair food? Every year I have to have one giant smoked turkey leg.
- What does the YPI network mean to you? At large fair conventions, it is nice to have a landing pad with built-in networking opportunities outside of my own organization, especially with peer colleagues who I know may be part of my professional life for the duration.
- What's your favorite fair? Monterey County Fair. The fairgrounds have a very comfortable and gentle atmosphere. I love all of the grass and trees. And my kids LOVE the golf cart shuttle from the golf course parking to the fairgrounds!.
- What is the best fair advice you've ever been given? ʺThe best thing you will get out of working at the fair are all of the relationships you make working with people on what they really care about.ʺ -Greg Kinder
- What’s your favorite fair memory? The first year of our ʺIn the Rawʺ produce sampling program, Frank Ratto, of Ratto Bros. personally came to sample out this great kale salad. After the first couple of hours, I caught him in passing backstage as he was running to get more kale salad. He was all flushed and happy. He told me the guests were loving it, and that most of them had never even tried kale before! If educating guests about our state's agricultural products is the heart of what we do, then connecting people to the source of their food, especially a new and healthy one, is most fulfilling.
- What is one item you can't live without during the Fair? I wouldn't survive our 17-day fair without a comfortable pair of walking shoes!
- How did you get involved in the Fair industry? I sort of stumbled into being a Youth Program Assistant one summer by running into an old friend who worked at the California State Fair. After one season of working on competitive programs, I was hooked! I returned every summer from college to work on the fair. I eventually become the Youth Programs Coordinator, and now I am the very happy Culinary Programs Coordinator.
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!
- Talk to us - To tell us what you want to see featured in the YPI Newsletter, click here.
