Wednesday, November 15, 2017

November Newsletter

5 "musts" when attending the IAFE Convention

So, you’re heading to the IAFE Convention later this month? You know we’re going to tell you that you must, must, MUST attend the YPI events (scroll down, you’ll read all about it), and that you absolutely can’t miss the Closing Party as we say goodbye to Las Vegas. Beyond that, though, there are a few things that you can do RIGHT NOW to get prepared for what’s to come.
  1. Pack your business cards. I admit, I’ve failed to bring enough business cards. I’ve also let it slip my mind to ask a colleague from another fair for their card. Both of those were big mistakes. They don’t call it IAFE: The Network for no reason. You’re meeting with your peers who face the same challenges as you every day. We can lean on each other for expertise and insights, and you can’t do that unless you know how to find someone. So, for crying out loud, put your business cards in a "to pack" pile right now.
  2. Set goals for what you want to learn. Are you thinking about adding a new element to your fair? Love the way another fair does something? Make it a point to meet with representatives from fairs who you think “do it right” to get your idea off the ground.
  3. Plan ahead. Whether you are the only person going from your fair or an entire team is coming from your neck of the woods, you’ve got to plan. There are tons of amazing workshops, keynotes, roundtables, and by far the coolest Trade Show I’ve ever seen. Sometimes, you’ll wish you could be in two places at once – but you can’t. So, visit www.iafeconvention.com, check out the schedule, and map out your day. Divide and conquer with your colleagues, if possible. Can't make it to everything? Check the IAFE website later - notes and handouts are often added after the Convention. 
  4. Get involved. The IAFE has a number of committees for different areas within the industry (competitive events, agriculture, budget & finance, entertainment, advertising, sponsorship, etc.), and even has a special time carved out for these committees to meet during the Convention – Tuesday, Nov. 28 from 1:15 – 2:15 pm. Pick one that best reflects your role at your fair and go to the meeting. You’ll meet your counterparts from all over, and you won’t regret it.
  5. Join the IAFE Igniter message board. If you aren’t already on it, go right now, and sign up on the IAFE Igniter message board. Not only is it a great all-in-one-place to have discussions with other industry leaders about any topic (trending right now: text message alert systems, saying “no” to events, driving fairgoers to commercial booth areas), but it is also like its own little fair industry LinkedIn. You can upload your photo and build connections with colleagues right there within the system. 
BONUS: download the Convention App! You can download it for either iOS or Android, and it has the schedule, speaker info, photo gallery, and so much more. You can even see the social feed from the hashtag #IAFE2017 right there in the app - so tweet away, you might see yourself in the feed! 

Mark your calendar: Convention events for young professionals
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
Paris Versailles 3 & 4
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, 3 – 4:30 pm
Ment-a-Minute
Paris Versailles 3 & 4
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! Don't want to golf? Come join us for FREE to hang out and socialize.
*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
Nicola Martinez
Exhibits Supervisor

San Diego County Fair
San Diego, Ohio
  • How long have you been in the fair industry? - Almost 7 years - it's flown by!         
  • What advice do you have for anyone new to the industry? - Stay calm and positive. I've never regretted the situations [when] I took a step back and didn't let a stressful situation get the best of me. Keeping a positive attitude during the Fair goes a long way and saying "thank you" is an easy way to help others feel positive as well!
  • What’s your favorite fair food? - Can I opt for a beverage? We produce a beer, wine and spirits festival during our Fair so I look forward to trying some award-winning beverages (after work of course).
  • What is your favorite fair (other than your own) that you've visited? - I love the OC Fair- they have an amazing concert venue and neighborhood charm to their Fair. I try to visit every year!
  • What does the YPI network mean to you? - YPI is not only a great resource for information but a welcoming community for those new to the Fair Industry. I have YPI to thank for many of the wonderful fair friendships I have today and am thankful for such a great network!
  • What is the best fair advice you've ever been given? - "Nobody else will know it's missing" - in my younger years I was a bit of a perfectionist so when an exhibit didn't turn out just the way I envisioned and/or something fell through I would sweat the small stuff. In the end, those projects turned out great and I've learned (and continue to learn) to focus on the positive.
  • What’s your favorite fair memory? - I don't have a specific moment but the memories I cherish most are seeing the faces on our fair kids when they are taking a field trip to the Fair for the first time, highlighting a local hero on the 4th of July and walking through the Fair late at night and taking it all in.
  • What is one item you can't live without during the Fair? - Definitely my cell phone.
  • How did you get involved in the Fair industry? - After a few internships in the events industry, I applied for a marketing internship at the San Diego County Fair my senior year of college. It was a hands-on internship unlike any of my previous internships and I loved the experience and fair community.

Mentor Spotlight

Lonna Brushers
Business Manager
Western Idaho Fair
Boise, ID
  • How long have you been in the fair industry? - 7 years
  • What’s the best / hardest lesson you have learned in the industry? - The hardest lesson I have learn is even though you try, you can't make everyone happy all of the time.
  • What’s your favorite fair food? - Indian Fry Bread Tacos or Finger Steaks...it's a toss up!
  • What do you feel is the biggest change / challenge you have faced? - The biggest challenge I face is handing over responsibilities to others, even though I know they are capable of performing the duties. I have a hard time with people doing things differently then I would do them myself. But I am working on that each day.
  • If you could give one piece of advice what would that be? - Don't give up! Some days are much more challenging then others. When I am having a rough day during fair, wander the grounds and look at the joy on all of the kids faces as they learn new things, are going on a ride for the first time, or are covered in cotton candy. These little walk reminds me why I love what I do, it's about keeping the industry alive and planting that seed in future generations.
  • What’s the one thing during the fair you can’t live without? - Simply put....CAFFEINE 
  • What’s your advice on handling failure? - You can't win them all, but you can learn where improvement is needed. Sometimes it takes going back to the drawing board and recreating the way you do something for it to be successful. Just because something may not have worked the first time, doesn't mean it won't work if you try again with adjustments.
  • What’s your favorite quote? - "Don't downgrade your dreams to match your reality. Upgrade your faith to match your destiny." - DeVon Franklin
  • Who is your role model / mentor? - Since 1998 when her first book was released in the U.S., I have admired and looked up to J.K. Rowling. Her story on perseverance is a powerful one. Her story reminds me not to give up on myself and to keep trying for the things I want in life, no matter how hard the struggle may currently be.
    Professionally, my mentor is Bob Batista. It is truly an honor and a privilege to work with and learn from him each day. He challenges me to try new things and to push myself one step further. He has helped me realize my enthusiasm for this industry and empowers me as I learn exactly what that means for my future.

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.
  • Post on social - Tell us what you're up to! Post using #IAFEYPI. You might just get retweeted! We're on FacebookTwitter and Instagram