Tuesday, October 30, 2018

November 2018 Newsletter

Meet Your New YPI Representatives 



Nicole Jones is 35 years old and joining us on behalf of Port Saint Lucie Florida, Zone 2.. She is a mother to a 13 year old daughter Rhegan and 16 year old son Joseph. She is a full time ER nurse and involved in a local soccer lead, being a member of the board. She is a junior board member for the St. Lucie County Fair. She first became involved with the fair industry in 2001 when she began dating her husband Joe. It started as hanging out while he worked, to then becoming hands on and helping. It’s only grown and never stopped from there. In 2014 Nicole and her Husband experienced their first FFF convention in St Augustine. They’ve made many connections since then as well as friends and can’t say we’d change a thing. In 2017 she accepted a role as the Florida Federation of Fairs YPI chair and led her first successful charity drive and 2nd successful YPI mix n mingle event. Nicole is honored to be selected as the Zone 2 YPI rep for the IAFE and hope to continue to excel at every task she is set forth to achieve. As well as fill the shoes left before her. Nicole and her family continue to be involved in many aspects of her local fair and will continue for years to come. The fair industry is one big family for her and she loves every moment.
Beth Pomije from the Wisconsin State Fair will be representing Zone 4.  Beth is excited to be celebrating her 13th anniversary of helping Fairgoers shop until they drop and start (and sometimes complete) their holiday gift-buying at the Wisconsin State Fair. Currently holding the title of Commercial Vendor Coordinator, she has held positions such as Customer Service Representative, Vendor Services Administrative Assistant, and Vendor Communications Coordinator. In her former professional life, Beth taught high school Health and Physical Education and coached girl’s ice hockey for five years. During that time, she realized her heart was at the Fair, and she could not be happier to be part of the industry full-time. You can also find Beth outside enjoying all Wisconsin has to offer with her husband, Taylor, and fostering her daughter Cady’s love for Fairs.  
 

Zone 6: Accepting applications.  Deadline is December 7th.



Alexcia Jordan from is joining us from Zone 7 where she manages the North Idaho State Fair. Alexcia has been an ag lover from the start, growing up with horses and competing in rodeos was her main passion for the majority of growing up.  She studied Equine Business and Accounting at Midway College in Kentucky continuing to pursue her love of horses. After college she found a home at the Appaloosa Horse Club as their Judges’ and Racing Program Coordinator, a job which allowed her to travel organizing World and National level horses shows and coordinate judge’s seminars across the county. After becoming a mom she looked for a position that would take her closer to her family and keep her home more with her kids,  luckily for her a position opened up at the North Idaho State Fair in February of 2015. Growing up in the fair industry between her involvement with 4-H and a mom who was a Fair Manager for 16 years it just seemed like the perfect fit. Hired in as Assistant Fair Manager she eagerly learned the ropes. Then in September 2016 she stepped into the role of Interim General Manager which in December led her into accepting the position of General Manager. Her passion shows through each day and her willingness to never stop learning extends to her team.  Under her leadership the North Idaho State Fair broke all records for 2018 and she is already looking at improvements for an even bigger and better 2019!

Our Zone 8 Representative is Chris Garmon from the Kern County Fair in Bakersfield, California, where he serves as Deputy Manager. He supervises the Finance Dept., Maintenance Dept., and the Livestock Dept. since 2016. Chris is originally from Santa Paula, CA where he worked at the Ventura County Fair for 14 years as the Exhibit Representative and Livestock Superintendent.  Chris is active in the California Farm Bureau where he is the YF&R District Representative for Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties. He also serves on the Kern County Farm Bureau Board of Directors.  Chris grew up on the family ranch where they grew cereal grains while in 4-H and FFA. Having raised heifers and steers, he earned his American Farmer Degree in 2003. He then attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where he majored in Agriculture Science with a concentration in Fair Management. While in college, he was able to attend the Calgary Stampede in Alberta, Canada. He has also been to the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh, Scotland.  

The Associate Representative is Dennis Friebe from Kardeni Entertainment in Orlando, Florida. His magic act, known as Kardenni (Car-Denny) has performed in Spain, Portugal, England, the Bahamas, Canada and all across the US. You may have also seen him at your state or county fair as well as the grand stage of Disney World. As an actor Dennis has been on such shows and films as Swamp Murders (ID Channel), MacGyver (CBS), Savannah Sunrise (Netflix), and independent film sensation A Brilliant Monster. Dennis is self-motivated, a team player and hardworking.

Current Zone 4 Representative, Emily Grunewald from the Red River Valley Fair in West Fargo, North Dakota, has been selected to move to the Vice Chair position.  Emily is the Big Iron Exhibit Coordinator and Livestock/Ag Education Coordinator for her fair. She is looking forward to further promoting our young professionals and highlighting their amazing skills and talents.  "As a group, our Young Professionals Initiative can make a huge impact on this one-of-a-kind industry. Whether they are doing community service, inventing new technologies, or embracing traditions our next generation is full of talented, hard-working individuals!"
2018 IAFE Convention YPI Events
For all convention information, please visit the new website - http://www.iafeconvention.com/
Raisin' for a Reason - Sunday, November 25, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: LDR Room - Convention Center
Enjoy a social evening full of wine, spirits and food while supporting a great cause. Auction proceeds benefit the IAFE Education Foundation which supports the Institute of Fair Management.  The Young Professionals group will be a part of the action with a fundraising activities. Additional fee required. Inquire at the IAFE Registration Desk or at the door of the event.


YPI Sponsored Workshop - Monday, November 26, 2018 from 10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Millennials, Boomers, Traditionalist, Oh My!
Location: Room 221 B&C
This panel workshop is going to be one session you don't want to miss. One unique aspect of the Fair Industry is the broad age range that we work with. From our Jr. Fair Boards and 4-H, to the influx of traditionalist that we see on Senior's Day, this session will serve as a crash course in the "need to know" traits of Millennials, Boomers, & Traditionalists, Oh My!


YPI Meeting & Happy Hour - Monday, November 26, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Room 220   
Come mingle with old friends, meet new friends, and relax for this free social hour. Join the YPI for an afternoon of networking and fun for your chance to learn about their involvement within the industry. Several YPI Steering Committee Members will be on hand and can tell you more about who we are, what we do and why you should be involved.
Sponsored by Haas and Wilkerson Insurance.
Ment-A-Minute - Tuesday, November 27, 2018 from 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Room 225 B&C
Facilitated by the YPI Steering Committee, all convention attendees under the age of 40 (and invited mentors) are welcome. Interact with established industry professionals and have a chance to gain insight from them. This fast paced meet and greet is designed to introduce our up and coming professionals with our season veterans.  It is speed dating without fear of commitment, as you jump from table to table to find an industry mentor who is happy to help you on your way to success.
Sponsored by The Best Around
IAFE Closing Party & Awards Reception - Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Lilsa Cockrell Theatre
Our committee is proud to be a part of this celebratory event as we honor our membership for their hard work and dedication.  Come cheer on your friends, celebrate your own accomplishments, or even steal some awesome ideas for your next fair. Reward yourself with complimentary beer, wine, and hors d’oeuvres.
Sponsored by Spectra by Comcast Spectacor
Announcements

  • REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the 2018 IAFE Convention, November 25 - 28 in San Antonio, Texas.  First Impressions will happen and you won't want to miss it!
  • VOLUNTEER for an IAFE Committee and the opportunity to learn more about the industry, make new connections, and best of all, HAVE FUN!  Check out the IAFE website for more details and an application.  
  • Get SOCIAL! Tell us what you're up to!  Post using #IAFEYPI. You might just get retweeted!  We're on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
  • What's ON YOUR MIND? Talk to us!  To tell us what you want to see featured in the YPI Newsletter, click here.

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