Wednesday, April 25, 2018

April 2018 Newsletter

The YPI Journey!

A message from our Outgoing Chair, Miranda Muir


When I submitted my application to serve as the Zone 2 YPI Representative in 2014 I honestly thought I did not have a chance at being selected. I was new to the state of Florida, with only my 1st Osceola County Fair under my belt, and had officially met only a few of our active IAFE Members, Staffers, and Supporters. Although I had attended the convention several times, it was more as a tag-a-long to my good friend Elizabeth McDevitt. However, having recently learned a great life lesson, if you do not let people know you are interested they will never know your desire to join the action, I applied. 

Now 4 years later I am the Outgoing Chair of this committee, serving an absolutely amazing group of young professionals. It has been a tremendous honor and I have gone from being scared to death to walk into the first on-site meeting to being sad that I soon have to say goodbye. It has truly been an experience like no other and I have had the opportunity to meet so many of our industry leaders, both newer and more experienced. I am forever grateful.

I am often asked, "how do I get involved with YPI?" The answer is simple, sign up for our email blasts so you know what's happening and then, just show up! Take that brave first step into the room, reach out your hand, and introduce yourself. Soon, like me, you will have true friends across the country and beyond. 

Those of us who have grown up in this industry or perhaps have just found a true passion and calling for it, usually have a few Fair Heroes. Recently I shared a story of my opportunity to meet one of those heroes and how completely amazed I was when he said, "I know who you are." My OMG! Moment. Since that time I have had the opportunity to get to know this person so much better and this week while attending IAFE Management Conference he shared how very proud he was of my work and what I have accomplished. His praise was overwhelming, but as awesome as it made me feel, I still found myself more thankful for having had the chance to shake his hand, soak up his knowledge, and having his number stored in my phone. No matter what Fair life throws at me, help, understanding, and guidance is just a phone call away. I truly believe that, and I know, without a doubt, it would not be the case, had I not sent that original application. 

If you are a young professional in the industry, in my opinion the best industry there is, and you truly want to learn and grow, seek out your fellow YPI'ers, attend the functions sponsored by the group, and know and understand all your hard work, dedication, and interest is being recognized, even though you might not realize it. The IAFE Family and the YPI Steering Committee are truly here to support you, cheer you on, and also be a crutch when needed. You will not be sorry.

Lastly, I must say a big THANK YOU to my committee members past, present, and future. I have learned so much from all of you. I have been completely impressed with your professionalism and talent and challenged to step up my game to keep up with you all. Thank you for making my year as your leader unforgettable. 

I hope to see you all in San Antonio for "First Impressions!"

Miranda Muir, CFE
Kissimmee Valley Livestock Show & Fair 
Kissimmee , Florida 

Looking to Get Involved?

The YPI Steering Committee is seeking new members from Zones 2, 4, 6, 8 and an associate steering committee member.  If you are under 40 years old and from an IAFE member fair in one of these Zones, we encourage you to apply to serve on the YPI Steering Committee.  All applications must be submitted by May 31, 2018.

  • For more information about being a YPI Steering Committee member, click here.
  • To download an application,  click here.


2018 Convention - Scholarship Awards

Each year the IAFE zones select young professionals from their geographic areas to attend the annual IAFE Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.  The YPI Zone Scholarship program began in 2010 and has expanded with a total of 21 scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000. This is made available to young adult’s ages 21 to 39 from IAFE member fairs. Here is a shout out to the 2017 recipients:


ZONE 1: 
  • Chantel Ford - New Brunswick Provincial Exhibition

ZONE 2:

  • Nicole Jones - Saint Lucie County Fair
  • Michelle Estrada - Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair

ZONE 3:

  • Jane Moore - Elkhart County 4-H Fair
  • Michael Smith - Ionia Free Fair
  • Spencer Morris - Indiana State Fair
  • Michael Strathmore - Canadian National Exhibition Association

ZONE 5:

  • Ashley Fitzgerald - Boone County Fair

ZONE 6:

  • Abbington Suchomski - Tennessee Valley Fair

ZONE 7:

  • Elise Burton - North Idaho State Fair
  • Ryan Modica - Adams County Fair

ZONE 8:

  • Ciera Keith - Douglas County Fair
  • Elisa Seppa - Marin County Fair


If you see any of these recipients at your events this year, congratulate them! These are just a few folks who are the future of our industry and their hard work and dedication will pay off.

Are you interested in receiving a scholarship this year? Announcements and other scholarship information will come in the upcoming months - stay tuned! 

New Adventures


New adventures are always fun, especially in our industry.  Scott Stoller has been a huge supporter of the fair industry and the IAFE YPI.  Mr. Stoller is currently the Fair Manager at the Silver Dollar Fair in California, however, his family is in for a large "new" adventure.  Mr. Stoller has recently been hired as the new General Manager at the Colorado State Fair. Safe travels to the Stoller Family and have fun on your new adventure!   




YPI Spotlight

Chris Pickering 
Western Fairs Association
Sacramento, CA 


  • How long have you been in the fair industry? I've worked many summers at various fairs, however, 2011 is the first year as a career.
  • What advice do you have for anyone new to the industry? This industry is all about people. Get to know everyone; we're a fun bunch! Also, stand in the shade and on the grass as much as possible during fair time. Your un-sunburnt skin and somehow-still-sore feet will thank you.
  • What’s your favorite fair food? Big Bubba's Bad BBQ - Chicken Kabob 
  • What’s your favorite fair (other than your own) that you've visited? I visited the Big Fresno Fair for the first time in 2016 and was blown away.
  • What does the YPI network mean to you? YPI provides a structured opportunity for me to not only network with my peers, but also to access a wealth of knowledge and experience from industry greats.
  • What is the best fair advice you've ever been given? My Dad would tell me and some of his business partners: "We've made a lot of money together." That's really helped me re-frame my view of fairs as a business where fair managers support the vendors, carnival, and concessionaires to be successful together.
  • Position: Communication Director
  • What’s your favorite fair memory? As a 'Youth Ambassador' at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, I interviewed Carrot Top for our radio station. I had watched him perform there for years, so I was ecstatic. He proved even funnier backstage.
  • What is one item you can't live without during the Fair? Sunglasses
  • How did you get involved in the Fair industry? I grew up running around fairs, so my return to the industry for a career was inevitable.
  • Have any other great tips or words of wisdom you'd like to share? It could be anything - work/life balance, organization skills, etc. Please share it here! During my first fair in a management position, I collapsed midday. I hadn't eaten, and I hadn't taken a break...I was just too busy relieving my staff for their breaks and 'putting out fires.' That's when my Dad told me: "You can't take care of others if you don't take care of yourself." As exemplified later in my military career, I still let my soldiers eat first...but I also carried snacks.




Mentor Spotlight

Steven Muir
Osceola County Fair
Kissimmee, Florida

  • How long have you been in the fair industry? Since June 2009. My wife convinced me I needed to build a pirate ship for the kids area and I've never stopped. 
  • What’s the best / hardest lesson you have learned in the industry? Figuring out who you can depend on at 3am the morning of opening day. Working with a large number of volunteers you have to quickly learn who is hard-working and dependable and who just shows up for the party. It's difficult to accept, but a lesson worth learning.
  • What’s your favorite fair food? Funnel cakes, corn dogs, and mini donuts. All the Fair staples.
  • What do you feel is the biggest change / challenge you have faced? My wife being my boss. She's passionate about what she does and likes things to be perfect. Not sleeping the week before opening day is pretty much the normal routine. It's always a challenge to live with a Fair Manager.
  • What question would you ask a mentor? What has and has not changed? It's all about balancing the past and traditions while moving towards the future at the same time. The more I can learn about our past, the more helpful I can be in the future. 
  • If you could give one piece of advice what would that be? Remember why we do what we do... for the kids and community. They days get long and nights even longer. You will be tired, cranky, and ready to quit, but it is all worth it when you can give a child a fun day they will never forget.
  • What’s the one thing during the fair you can’t live without? Pepsi and Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
  • What’s your advice on handling failure? Nothing is a complete failure because you can learn from it and make it better or completely change it.  
  • What’s your favorite quote? "It's Ricky's Fault!" It's an inside joke, but always makes everyone laugh and lightens the mood.
  • Who is your role model / mentor? Although he was not involved in the Fair Industry, my Grandfather was a strong community advocate. He was involved in many different service oriented organizations, always put others first, and was extremely well respected by everyone. You could not go anywhere without him running into someone he knew. He was a wonderful person and taught me quite a bit about life and who I should strive to be.


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

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