September Newsletter

Balancing Work, Parenthood & Everything in Between

Fear that you are not spending enough time with the family, friends or furry companions?  Fair season can be stressful and packed with events that occupy most of your time.  The time you spend working not only affects you, but it also impacts those around you; husband, wife, children, pets, etc.  How do we manage to be our best in all of our roles as parents, spouses and professionals?  Many couples today are riddled with this question, so we’ve comprised a list of helpful tips to consider incorporating into your daily lives in order to prioritize your tasks at work and home.

• Plan in Advance:  Try to organize all of your activities in advance, whether that is making a list, jotting it down on a calendar or writing it down in a planner. By planning ahead, you can dodge unnecessary stress and make sure that no obligation falls through the cracks.

• Split Chores:  If you have another individual available to assist during this hectic time, divide and conquer! But remember, be flexible and be willing to adjust in critical times, as your priorities might clash with each other’s. Children will reach an age where they are capable of being added in the helping equation. Take full advantage of this opportunity, not only will it help you out, it will also benefit your children in inheriting good habits and creating a level of independence. Start with fun steps such as allowing them to be responsible for the house pet’s upkeep.    

• Assess Priorities: There will be times when you encounter situations that are out of your control. These situations love to present themselves on days when adding even one more thing to your to-do list is next to impossible. The best way to handle these situations is to calmly assess what is of utmost urgency and complete the things that are most important to overall success for that point in time. 

• Find Creative Ways to Spend Time with Your Kids:  There are plenty of opportunities to spend time with your family and furry companions, but they won’t last forever so don’t miss them. Taking the time to get to know them and what they like to do is a crucial part in the relationship. You don’t have to go out of your way, it could be something as simple as turning off the TV and IPad and discussing your day in the kitchen, playing with the pets in the backyard or using your imagination to build a blanket castle in the living room. Participating in activities with your kids alongside listening to them allows you to get a better understanding of who they are and how to effectively communicate with them on serious matters. 

• Manage Your Stress by Enjoying Their Innocence:  Be natural as parents, and follow your instincts, rather than allow guilt to drive your reactions and responses. Most important of all, enjoy the time you spend with family and furry companions, and always remember, you are doing your best!  Cherish the bonds you share, soak in the memories and it will be enough.  They will learn to value and respect you as a person.

Take a breath and relax.  It will all be okay, and with a little rearrangement of the schedule and a change in perspective, you will be able to break free of this constant worry about not doing enough at home and work and have a higher gratitude for life.

Fair Planning with FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been on a mission for 35 years to lead America to prepare for, prevent, respond to and recover from disasters with a vision of “A Nation Prepared.” Carrying out this mission successfully FEMA employees plan, prepare and mitigate all before during and after disasters. 

Businesses that are in charge of planning fairs, festivals and countless amounts of other events year round clearly have the capability and skills necessary to plan a successful function. As a planner of these events one of their most crucial steps in planning is having a plan for the unexpected natural disasters. This plan goes unnoticed majority of the time seeing as natural hazards are sporadic and not impacting every event, this step is still one of the most significant to each event planned. 

5 steps in developing a preparedness program are:

Program Management

• Organize, develop and administer your preparedness program
• Identify the regulations that establish minimum requirements for your program

Planning

• Gather information about hazards and assess risks
• Conduct a business impact analysis 
• Examine ways to prevent hazards and reduce risk

Implementation

• Write a preparedness plan addressing:
• Resource Management
• Emergency Response
• Crisis Communications
• Business Continuity
• Information Technology
• Employee Assistance
• Incident Management & Training 

Testing and Exercise

• Test and evaluate your plan
• Define different types of exercises
• Learn how to conduct exercises
• Use exercise results to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan

Program Improvement 

• Identify when the preparedness program needs to be reviewed
• Discover methods to evaluate the preparedness program
• Utilize the review to make necessary changes and plan improvements

FEMA also has a National Incident Management System (NIMS) which provides a common approach for managing incidents. FEMA provides Training Organizations such as Center for Domestic Preparedness, Emergency Management Institute, National Fire Academy and many others than what has briefly been discussed here. Check out the links below to learn more about all the training and safety FEMA has to offer for your assistance. 

FEMA Training                             FEMA Safety

YPI VIP Highlight
 

Cassie Roberts
Partnership Director
Saffire Events
Austin, Texas

Cassie Roberts has extensive experience with online marketing and event planning. She has planned strategic events with many companies including the Austin Sports Commission and the United States Olympic Committee. Ms. Roberts has two degrees from the University of Texas: her undergraduate degree is in public relations and her master’s degree is in sport management. She started working with Saffire Events in 2011. During her service there, the company has grown from supporting a few fairs in Texas to partnering with more than 130 unique events, venues, and destinations. 

Ms. Roberts enjoys traveling around the country to share strategic online planning tactics with event producers. Ms. Roberts lives in Austin, Texas, and loves to serve as a tour guide when people visit the city!

Join us in welcoming Cassie Roberts to the 2014 YPI Steering Committee. 

Mentor Spotlight

Kendra Wright
Saffire Events
Austin, Texas

How long have you been in the fair industry?
Five action-packed years!

What’s the best lesson you have learned in the industry / or the hardest? 

The best lesson is the wonderful information sharing that takes place in this industry! After working with large corporate clients for years, I can assure you that this doesn't exist in other industries! We can all steal ideas like crazy and elevate the whole industry!

What’s your favorite fair food? 

A funnel cake - generally I'm a purist about these things, but I had a jelly doughnut funnel cake at North Texas Fair that changed my life.

What do you feel is the biggest change / challenge you have faced? 

Our challenge is convincing boards that with our industry niche of almost 150 event clients, we can do better than the guy down the street! I understand and appreciate the loyalty to people who love the fair though, and if I'm going to lose a job, I'd rather lose it because of loyalty every time.

What question would you ask a mentor? 

I always ask my fellow service members what they've done that works and doesn't working in this industry. And I'm happy to say that our service members are as open to helping as our fair members!

If you could give one piece of advice what would that be? 

Be patient! Oh wait, you mean advice for someone else? I have to remind myself often to be patient, that change takes time... that there are other really important issues for fairs to solve than their virtual front door!

What’s the one thing during the fair you can’t live without? 

Since I don't actually run a fair, the thing I can't live without is my five year old son Hudson. We go visit as many fairs as we can, and I have to remind him that not everyone gets to go to fairs every weekend. But the real reason I can't live without him during the fair is that he gave me the chance to see the magic of the fair through the eyes of a child, which gave even more meaning to everything we do to support the fair industry.

What’s your advice on handling failure? 

I'm lucky that I don't think we've had a lot of failure yet. Things that didn't seem to work out eventually did. So back to my earlier self-advice - be patient!

What’s your favorite quote? 

Leap, and the net will appear! Someone said this to me when I started designing websites. I didn't have a single client before i quit my day job. I realized that it was because there are a whole lot of talkers but not nearly as many do-ers. The minute I "did," clients came knocking! That faith in the universe, paired with a whole lot of hard work, is how I attribute the success I've had.

Who is your role model / mentor? 

I love music, and I'm inspired by it. Musically, I love Willie Nelson and Justin Timberlake (and many in between). In the industry, Mike Hnatt from ShoWorks has been tremendously inspiring and helpful to me - I want to be him when I grow up!

YPI Reminders

• Start seeding change and share how your fair is positively impacting your community. For more information and how to share your story, CLICK HERE.
• Join the YPI Facebook Discussion Group to connect with other YPI members, CLICK HERE.
• Tell us what you want to see featured in the YPI Newsletter, CLICK HERE.

August Newsletter

Financial Planning

Financial responsibility is something that almost all young adults run from. Maybe it's because it sounds grown up, maybe it's because almost all young adults have no idea where to begin. Some people would be happier just having a sack of money under their mattress or perhaps going one step further by maintaining a savings account, but with all the advancements in technology and helpful resources right at our fingertips there are so many more options on how to plan for your future. Below are a few helpful tips to help you!

• Recognize Your Most Essential Financial Asset - Don’t be bashful! Your skills, experience and knowledge is without a doubt the biggest asset you have. Come to find out investing in yourself, payoffs in the future! 

• Become a Planner, Not a Saver - You don’t need to hire a financial planner to tell you that your spending is out of control, try adding a large dose of self-discipline to your life and see where it takes you! 

• Stay Aware - Keep up with the most recent changes, new technologies and financial opportunities in the world. In saying that here are a few helpful apps to manage your current finances. 
• Manage Credit Card and Money Apps: Wallaby, Larky, Level and Mint
• Saving Money Apps: Earmark, BillGuard and SavedPlus
• Investing Apps: Estimize, FutureAdvisor and SigFig

• Have Fun - Saved the best for last! You will have plenty of time to act old when you are old; being young is about finding that perfect balance between hard work and play. Just remember it’s hard to play without working and having the funds to support the leisure activities of your choice.

For Millennia’s there's a fear in planning a financial future because they don't want to think about where life could be in 10 years but the truth is it doesn't matter where your life is as long as there's a means to pay for it. We can now all be free spirits and still make sure that our rent will get paid next month. It's a perfect balance of freedom and responsibility. Growing up without turning into your parents just might be the optimism your financial life needs to get on the right track.  

IAFE Awards & Contest: Updated Rules

The International Association of Fairs and Expositions has announced updated rules and regulations for the upcoming year. The areas that have been revamped are Agricultural Awards, Communication Awards and Competitive Exhibits. Check out the links that follow for the updated rules and regulations! 

Agricultural Awards purpose is to improve the agricultural educational programs of fairs, to help fairs determine ways they might be of service to their exhibitors, the fair going public, and agricultural businesses, and to provide recognition of those fairs doing an outstanding job. 

• Agricultural Awards Rules  

The Communication Competition goal is to improve the advertising and publicity programs of fairs and to provide recognition for those fairs doing an outstanding job. Because who wants to go unnoticed for superb work? 

• Communication Awards Rules

Last but not least, Competitive Exhibits which strives to encourage fair members to share methods, ideas, props, new or unique classes, fair theme areas and any other mechanics involved in fairs and expositions, have also updated the rules and regulations to better accommodate the members of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions.   

• Competitive Exhibits Rules

Agricultural Awards, Communication Awards and Competitive Exhibits all have a clear purpose and high goals to reach every year. With these new improvements made alongside the help of everyone involved it will make the process of reaching these goals and achieving the purpose that much more attainable!     

YPI VIP Highlight
 

Rebecca Peters
Marketing Manager
Clay County Fair
Spencer, Iowa

From the moment she was old enough to plant seeds, Rebecca Peters’ grandmother had her sisters and her working in the garden to grow prize-winning vegetables and flowers to exhibit at the Plymouth County Fair in Le Mars, Iowa. When she was old enough, Ms. Peters joined 4-H and continued to be involved with the fair until she graduated from high school.

Ms. Peters graduated from Drake University with a degree in graphic design. While working for the Iowa Rock’n Roll Music Association, she had the opportunity to team up with the Clay County Fair to promote a Rock’n Roll Day at the fair. When a position at the fair opened up, she saw it as a perfect fit.

Ms. Peters has served as the Marketing Manager at the Clay County Fair for three and a half years. She oversees all advertising, public relations, and sponsorships for the fair and has seen the fair’s relationships with media and sponsors grow since she arrived. 

“The best part of my job is seeing the happy faces of fairgoers nine days each September,” stated Ms. Peters.

In February, she attended the IAFE Spring Seminar in San Antonio that focused on marketing and sponsorship.  

“It was a wonderful opportunity to meet other people doing what I do in the fair industry, but the best part was that I returned to my office with a new excitement for my job,” stated Ms. Peters.

Outside of work, she stays active in her community by serving on the Pearson Lakes Art Center Board and serving as chair of their Visual Arts Committee and vice president of the Dickinson County Conservation Foundation.  In her free time, Ms. Peters enjoy boating, wakeboarding, playing tennis, cross-country skiing, costume parties, gardening, and reading.

YPI Reminders

• Start seeding change and share how your fair is positively impacting your community. For more information and how to share your story, CLICK HERE.
• Join the YPI Facebook Discussion Group to connect with other YPI members, CLICK HERE.
• Tell us what you want to see featured in the YPI Newsletter, CLICK HERE.

May Newsletter

Summer Snoozin'

Sometimes the summer months have their way of stealing away your attention. Warm weather rolls around and suddenly you begin to feel like your younger self again, waiting at school for the bell to ring, to release you from all your duties. Unfortunately, the real world doesn't believe in a summer break. Your office may feel more like a holding cell than a work place over the next few months, but with ingenuity and a few cool apps here are a couple ways to keep your mind focused and your day flying by! 

• Plan ahead – Create a to-do list before starting the work day.  

• Do smaller tasks – One large project can be overwhelming, split projects into smaller and easier tasks to accomplish in a timely manner.  

• Simplify your work space - Have the bare minimum on your desk, in an effort of making your tendency to get less distracted compared to a cluttered work space.  

• Take little breaks – Hard work followed by quick breaks, is more beneficial then never taking a break and becoming lackadaisical.  

• Reward Yourself – You don’t have to wait until your vacation to receive a reward. You can look forward to getting a candy bar at lunch, if you have completed the most crucial parts of your to-do list. 

• Pinpoint the problem – Realizing the cause behind your loss of focus is the first step in fixing the problem.   

• Wear headphones – Take advantage of the unspoken rule that you can’t speak to someone wearing headphones, and in that time work at your own pace or the pace of your music, but either way work interruption free. 

• Try Caffeine – It helps you stay alert and concentrate throughout the day. If coffee isn’t an option for you, try chewing gum! 

• Try an App -
• Plan Ahead Apps : Wunderlist, Asana and  Evernote
• Take a Break Apps: Quiz up and Anxiety Free 
• Music Apps: Pandora, Spotify and Stitcher radio

We can all agree being stuck in an office probably isn’t at the top of our list of fun summer activities to do, but hopefully these useful tips and apps can help you stay focused and actually get some work done this summer between your daydreams of being at the beach.

Seeding Change

All of us in the fair industry have been extremely challenged by our chair, Debbie Dreyfus-Schronk, and her “Seeding Change” initiative.

Last year’s “Dream Big” campaign showed the entire world the impact our industry could have when we worked together toward the common goal of combating hunger in our communities.  Debbie’s challenge simply takes that collaboration to a whole new level as we explore all of the areas in our communities that fairs can impact.

So what is “Seeding Change”?  As defined by Nancy Smith of the South Carolina State Fair, “’Seeding Change’ is (a) sharing stories of how fairs are impacting/changing/collaborating with their communities and (b) encouraging other fairs to start seeding change – to understand the vital role they play in their community and tools to help them take the lead. It’s also about impacting lives and recognizing the important role fairs play in educating our communities about everything from agriculture to technology.”

When one pauses for a moment to take in that definition, it might be easy to get overwhelmed.  Is my fair “seeding change” in any way?  Are we doing anything to impact our community?

Don’t search or think too hard, but the reality is that every fair is “seeding change” in some way.  Whether it is providing opportunities for school kids to learn about agriculture, or giving 4-H Clubs a place to have their meetings during the year; whether it’s donating admission and carnival tickets to local libraries to encourage reading, or hosting a local Relay for Life, we are all “seeding change” – without even realizing it.

To get some ideas on what other fairs are doing, please visit the IAFE website to read the “harvest stories” and watch the video clips that have been submitted by other fairs.  It will inspire you to think about all of the positive change and impact our fairs are having on our communities and our nation.

Perhaps it will even inspire you to submit your “seeding change” project so others can see what you are doing!  Be proud – you are “seeding change”!

YPI VIP Highlight
 

Casandra Bossingham
Corporate Sales & Premium Seating Manager
Front Row Marketing
Loveland, Colorado

Casandra Bossingham was born and raised in Gering, Neb. Her parents ran a catering business where she worked special events at a very young age. This is where she was introduced to the county fair scene by working at her parents’ food booth at the Scotts Bluff County Fair, Mitchell, Neb., beginning at age 8 and continuing well into her adult years.

After high school, Ms. Bossingham attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and received her bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Administration with an emphasis in Special Event Management. She worked for a destination management company, Baskow & Associates in Las Vegas, for a year and then returned home to work as an event manager for her parents’ catering company.

“I worked the booth at Scotts Bluff County Fair even when I was attending college in Las Vegas. The county fair was my ‘vacation’ every year,” stated Ms. Bossingham.

In 2011, she took the marketing & office manager position with Laramie County Fair in Cheyenne, Wyo. Here, she was responsible for the exhibitors, vendors, advertising, public relations, facility rentals, and bookkeeping, as well as, assisting with entertainers. During her short time at Laramie County Fair, attendance increased by 300% and the fair saw a 95% increase in sponsorship. Ms. Bossingham also worked hard to restructure the fair’s budget and in turn, was able to place $160,000 in two years into a building fund to help begin the process to build the first home the fair could call its own in over 80 years.

In October of 2013, Ms. Bossingham was offered a position with Global Spectrum at Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colo., as group sales manager. This took her out of the position of having just a fair to plan and into a venue management position with large events held every weekend. In January of 2014, Ms. Bossingham was promoted to corporate sales & premium seating manager with Front Row Marketing. She is now selling sponsorship for the Larimer County Fair and for events year round on the 374 acre fairground complex, The Ranch, as well as, inside the 7,200 seat Budweiser Events Center.

In addition to her career, Ms. Bossingham has been involved with Leadership Scotts Bluff, Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs, Wyoming Association of Fairs, Colorado Association of Fairs and Shows, the IAFE Sponsorship Committee, and the IAFE YPI Steering Committee. She enjoys golfing, skiing, and spending time with her 9-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter.

Mentor Spotlight

Gene Cassidy
Eastern States Exposition
West Springfield, Massachusetts

How long have you been in the fair industry?
Since December 6, 1993

What’s the best lesson you have learned in the industry / or the hardest? 

Those of us who are fortunate enough to work in this industry, are among the luckiest people on earth. What we do is important. We promote values and principles and hard work. In fact, I suggest that what we do in a society that continuously compromises itself, becomes more important every day. So, the lesson is, to pay attention to our impact, nurture it, because in life you'll encounter many who say all the right things, but its far more important to do the right things; and that's what we do, we do good.

What’s your favorite fair food? 

Shushhh! I'm not supposed to have a favorite: I love all fair food. But if you promise not to tell, I absolutely love and MUST have as frequently as possible.....fried cheese curds.

What do you feel is the biggest change / challenge you have faced? 

In my 20 year career at Eastern States Exposition, what I have seen change most are the regulations we have to deal with, and how those regulation impact the events we produce. Those impacts often limit what we can show and compromise educational efforts. Those impacts are often created by special interests who have no knowledge of agriculture and it troubles me greatly.

What question would you ask a mentor? 
How would you recommend I increase admission sales?

If you could give one piece of advice what would that be? 

Be kind. Kindness in the one thing you can invest in that never fails to earn a return. I'm a big fan of St. Paul and he said it best: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in all circumstances give thanks.

What’s the one thing during the fair you can’t live without? 

I suppose if I responded by saying "sunshine" that would sound trite. The fact is, what carries me through the length of the fair each year are the people of the fair, the friendships, the admiration that I feel for so many volunteers and employees, and concessionaires and exhibitors all who work so hard in their respective roles. It is most rewarding to be a witness to that each year.

What’s your advice on handling failure? 

No one likes to fail. But failure isn't bad unless you make it so. Failure should be used as a personal learning tool. The fact is; if you don't fail once-in-awhile, it means you aren't doing enough, you're not trying enough. Now, learn from it, get over it and move on.

What’s your favorite quote? 

"Time is an army marching against us. It cannot be fought, it cannot be outrun. Use what time you have prudently and be just." (Eugene P. Kearns 3/27/01) That is a quote written to me by my maternal Grandfather (I always capitalize reference to him) on the occasion of his 94th birthday. That quote, put in the context of a 94 year life tells us that a lifetime is short, no matter its length. I think that is very powerful. As the Latin's would say: Carpe Diem!

Who is your role model / mentor? 
The Grand Gentleman quoted above.

YPI Reminders

• Start seeding change and share how your fair is positively impacting your community. For more information and how to share your story, CLICK HERE.
• Join the YPI Facebook Discussion Group to connect with other YPI members, CLICK HERE.
• Tell us what you want to see featured in the YPI Newsletter, CLICK HERE.

March Newsletter

Put a Lil' Spring in your Step... AGAIN

Spring is in the air, which means we need to put a little bit of spring back in our step.  It is very typical over the winter months to lose focus on your health and exercise program.  Many of us probably set New Year’s Resolutions to lose a few pounds or workout more….statistics show you might be off track from that goal.  Don’t worry, you can’t change yesterday but you can start again today.  Here are a few ideas to get moving and have a healthier lifestyle:

• Download the Nike Training Club App (It’s FREE and designed to fit the amount of time you have that day)
• Schedule workout time; find a workout partner to make you more accountable
• Drink more water
• Sign-up for a 5k in your home town; you will be exercising while giving to a good cause (you don’t have to run, you can even walk)
• Walking has many proven benefits, which include: losing weight, increase self-esteem, increase metabolism, improves mood, decrease chance of injury and reduces risk of high blood pressure.

Remember, you don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.  Post about your exercise and healthy lifestyle success on the YPI Facebook page.  It will be motivation for us all.

Limiting Risks in Livestock Environments

Many of us are working on (or at least starting to think about) posting and publishing our fair books online for the 2014 show season.  For those of us in the Industry, we know that animals shown at an exhibition, sale or show have an increased risk of spreading disease. 

This Spring, there has been an epidemic of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV), among pigs and piglets, in our production and breeding herds.  It poses no risk to humans or other animals as well as having no impact on food safety. We also know pigs are a large attraction to our fairgoers and the general public. However, as with those who have taken the Consumer Protection Workshop as part of Institute, we know it is about limiting the risk.  

Some suggestions:

• Ensure all staff know clinical signs of pig sickness
• Write up and discuss a plan to address potential animal health issues
• Identify a veterinarian that can assist with health evaluation, sample collections or determining actions for sick pigs
• Make sure Exhibitors know that sick pigs will be sent home or isolated for the duration of the event

To read more, visit the National Pork Board website, or check out the latest issue of Fairs and Expos.

YPI Steering Committee

The YPI Steering Committee exists to provide overall direction, dialogue with IAFE board and staff, and professional development and networking opportunities for the under-40 fair professionals group at large.  

Interested in serving on the committee?  Simply fill out the Steering Committee Application Form and e-mail it Marla Calico, marlac@fairsandexpos.com, no later than May 30, 2014.  Only individuals within IAFE Zones 2,4,6 and 8 can apply.

YPI Steering Committee members serve two-year terms and are responsible for:

• Participating in bi-monthly conference calls
• Assisting with planning YPI events at conventions and conferences
• Recruiting and encouraging new under-40 professionals to join YPI
• Attending YPI events at conventions and conferences

The YPI Steering Committee is continually looking for ways to grow the YPI group and make new connections.  If you are a young fair leader or know someone who is, connect with YPI via Facebook by searching "YPI Professionals Initiative - IAFE" or send contact information to YPI Steering Committee Chair, Jeremy Parsons, jeremy.parsons@claycountyfair.com.

YPI VIP Highlight
 

Jennifer Rhodes
Office Manager
Fowlerville Family Fair
Fowlerville, Michigan

Jennifer Rhodes first became involved with the Fowlerville Family Fair in Fowlerville, Michigan, at the age of 6 through 4-H. At 14, she began showing sheep, hogs and poultry at the fair. She showed sheep in open class throughout Michigan. In 2003, she began volunteering at the Fowlerville Family Fair. She was responsible for organizing and overseeing the antique tractor pulls. In 2008, Ms. Rhodes received a call from the fair while she was on maternity leave with her second child. She was asked if she was interested in the office manager position at the fair, which had lost its office manager five weeks prior to the fair. Up until that moment, she did not know what she wanted to do when she “grew up,” but she knew then that was what she wanted to do.

Ms. Rhodes attended the Detroit College of Business and had a double major in Economics and Business Marketing. Prior to joining the fair full-time, she served at several auto dealerships and a John Deere implement dealer. As office manager, Ms. Rhodes is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Fowlerville Agricultural Society/Fowlerville Family Fair. She works directly with the Livingston County 4-H extension office, books entertainment and vendors with board direction, oversees the fair’s social media and web presence, books off-season events, and more. 

Ms. Rhodes is an active member of the IAFE. She is a 2013 graduate of the IAFE Institute of Fair Management. She currently serves on the IAFE Membership and Commercial Exhibits & Concessions Committees. She also serves on the IAFE YPI Steering Committee. She serves on the Workshop and Round Table Committee for the Michigan Association of Fairs and Expos.

Ms. Rhodes married her husband Jimmy in 2001. They have two children: Wyatt, age 10, and Katie, age 6. Her interests include antique tractor pulling, reading, writing, agricultural education and advocacy, visiting fairs and volunteering for various community organizations including Relay for Life and the Farm Bureau.

Mentor Spotlight

Debbie Dreyfus-Schronk
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
San Antonio, Texas

How long have you been in the fair industry?
Since 1994. 

What’s the best lesson you have learned in the industry / or the hardest? 

Best Lesson --- Mistakes are not something to be ashamed of... You should always own up to mistakes and learn from them... they're really just a way of letting us know we really don't know everything!  

What’s your favorite fair food? 
I'm a traditionalist --- I like corn dogs and big, soft pretzels.

What do you feel is the biggest change / challenge you have faced? 

Learning that I don't have to be in control of everything... this is really important when you work with a large number of volunteers.  You need to be able to trust that other people can and will get things done.

What question would you ask a mentor? 
What is it that makes you passionate about the fair industry?

If you could give one piece of advice what would that be? 
Welcome feedback, critique and ideas from others.

What’s the one thing during the fair you can’t live without? 
Support from my family.

What’s your advice on handling failure? 

No one likes to fail, but sometimes I think we need to experience a failure in order to be better... Just don't let it stop you from trying again.  Too often, people look at failure as the end, when really it's just the start.  You know the old saying... "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again!"

What’s your favorite quote? 
"Believe you can and then you will."

Who is your role model / mentor? 

I think I've had a lot of mentors, but the two people in my life that I consider role models are my grandfather on my Dad's side and my husband... both were/are strong willed, passionate about what they did and very caring.

YPI Reminders

• Start seeding change and share how your fair is positively impacting your community. For more information and how to share your story, CLICK HERE.
• Join the YPI Facebook Discussion Group to connect with other YPI members, CLICK HERE.
• Tell us what you want to see featured in the YPI Newsletter, CLICK HERE.

November Newsletter

Marketing Outside of the Box - Creative Ideas

It is always a challenge to develop a comprehensive marketing plan that is impactful. Listed are creative ideas submitted that are unique and outside of the traditional box:

Guerilla Tactic Signage Plan: Instead of utilizing traditional signage component such as billboards, banners or marquees, think bigger and in locations such as the streets and sidewalks; because everyone watches where they are going.

• Idea 1 
• Idea 2
• Idea 3

- Chelsey Jungck, Nebraska State Fair

We film a commercial during current year using the new fair queen for the following year's fair commercial that runs at the local movie theaters throughout the summer. Inexpensive and is viewed by many with cash to spend.

- Jennifer Rhodes, Fowlerville Family Fair

Street teams are a great way to get the word out about the Fair! Have teams go to other community events, ball games, or a local gathering place to give away Fair tickets, hand out brochures, and invite people to your Fair. 

- Jen Puente, Wisconsin State Fair

To further meet your marketing and communication goals, create a Pinterest account for your fair with boards that address frequently asked questions or specific demographics. For example, if a common inquiry from guests revolves around seeking out healthy food options, create a board with photos and suggestions of places to stop for healthier fare. If you hear from moms who are looking to make a trip to the fair less of a hassle, create a board specifically catered to them with photos and information about: ways save money before and during your event; options for free transportation to and from; and free attractions and educational exhibits for school-age children. The use of Pinterest boards to address specific communications challenges or goals is an easy, free, effective and visually stunning way to market everything your fair has to offer.

- Brienna Schuette, Minnesota State Fair 

We had our sponsor, Murdochs, donate a gift card of $100 for us to run a Facebook contest. Our ultimate goal was to increase the number of fans on our page so we could utilize the free aspect while making announcements. The more fans we had, the more messages we could get across at a much cheaper rate than traditional advertising. We posted this contest on our page around 4:00 PM on the evening when we had our biggest night event. We encouraged everyone who was already a fan to share the page, which would enter them into the chance to win as well. The contest was mentioned several times during our night event, encouraging the 5,000 guests to get on their mobiles and like us immediately. We were giving the gift away as soon as we reached 1,000 likes. I know doesn't seem like much but we are a small fair and saw a 300% increase in attendance this year alone. We increased by 255 fans in the one night by doing our contest. We now have all of those fans to market to next year when we start doing promotions about the upcoming events.

- Casandra Bossingham, Budweiser Events Center

The Washington County Fair's marketing strategy is to market the fair as a "family fun fair" where everyone can experience and learn about agriculture. Our fair does not sell alcohol and most of all the entertainment is family friendly. We want everyone to come to the fair, but our marketing is geared towards young families.

One tip for productive marketing is "word of mouth". Many of our fairgoers still do not have easy access to Internet and are too busy to watch TV so the best way to promote our fair is by making a good impression on the people that visit fair so that they will tell their friends.

- Renee St. Jacques, Washington County Fair

Secrets to Become More Productive - Tips & Tricks

In this fast paced event environment, it is essential to stay productive and organized. Please find helpful tips below that will keep you engaged and ready to take on any challenge:

Favorite productivity tip is to utilize “To Do” lists, and that means multiple. By incorporating Outlook’s Task Manager, you can set deadlines, determine importance, add notes, email and delegate.

- Chelsey Jungck, Nebraska State Fair

I take breaks, and have a kitchen timer on my desk. Give myself a limited amount of time to complete a task. When timer goes off (and if something that I can put off) I stop that and move on to something else. It keeps me from feeling like I cannot accomplish something. Kind of like biting off more than one can chew. Makes it like a game, and I am trying to beat the clock. It works for me, and keeps me motivated, also  helps with the productivity because it allows the task to be fun.

- Jennifer Rhodes, Fowlerville Family Fair

Meetings seem to consume all of our lives….Make meetings with yourself to get work done. Scheduling work time to hit important deadlines minimizes stress – and meetings! 

- Jen Puente, Wisconsin State Fair

Nothing is more valuable for productivity and staying on task than a really good list. You can be more productive and manage priorities with tiered lists: a list for what needs to happen TODAY; a list for what needs to happen this week; and a final list for tasks with long-lead due dates. A pad of lined Post-Its and a pen is all you need to become more efficient and effective. 

- Brienna Schuette, Minnesota State Fair

My best tip for productivity is utilizing Google calendar. Doesn't seem like much because this is something I am still trying to learn how to be better at. But we have several different options when scheduling things from color coding to separate calendars that can all be shown together. I put my entire life on my calendar and check it first thing every morning so I know what my day brings.  Without my calendar, I feel completely lost!

- Casandra Bossingham, Budweiser Events Center

YPI VIP Highlight

Chelsey Jungck
Events & Entertainment Director
Nebraska State Fair
Grand Island, Nebraska

Growing up, Chelsey Jungck and her family annually attended the Nebraska State Fair over Labor Day weekend. The grounds attractions, Hotdog Alley (food vendors), and the commercial exhibits were at the top of their list for their visit every year. Ms. Jungck never imagined that someday she would be part of the team that made those things possible at the Nebraska State Fair.

Ms. Jungck graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and a Master of Arts in Marketing, Communications, and Advertising. Following grad school, she worked a temporary position for Events Solutions magazine, helping to plan their annual conference for event planners in Las Vegas.

Ms. Jungck began serving at the Nebraska State Fair in 2009 as a seasonal employee, planning the last fair in Lincoln. She then moved to Grand Island in late 2009 with the relocation of the Nebraska State Fair. She joined the staff full-time and assisted in the planning of the first state fair in Grand Island.

In her current position as events and entertainment director, Ms. Jungck is responsible for booking entertainment and planning the festivals, programs, and special events at the fair. She also oversees the Nebraska State Fair’s website, social media sites, and mobile application.

Ms. Jungck serves on the IAFE Membership Committee and was recently selected to serve as the Zone 5 representative on the IAFE Young Professionals Steering Committee. She will graduate from the IAFE Institute of Fair Management at the Annual Convention. Ms. Jungck is working with a Steering Committee in Nebraska to develop a Young Professionals Initiative for the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers. 

Ms. Jungck enjoys being an active community member in Grand Island. She serves as secretary on the College Park Board of Directors and vice president on the Grand Island YWCA Board of Directors. She is a member of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, the Grand Island Chamber’s Annual Meeting Planning Committee, is a mentor for the University of Nebraska -- Lincoln Public Relations Student Society of America, and is a graduate of the Grand Island Leadership Tomorrow, class 25. Ms. Junck was selected as one of the Grand Island Chamber’s Top 35 under 35 in 2012.

Mentor Spotlight

Dave Snowden
Triangle Talent, Inc.
Louisville, Kentucky

How long have you been in the fair industry?
40 years.  

What’s the best lesson you have learned in the industry / or the hardest? 

How different each Fair is and actually how different each day is. So many elements, weather being the number one!!

What’s your favorite fair food? 
Fried everything!!

What do you feel is the biggest change / challenge you have faced? 

The economy but also the Casino business has grabbed many acts from the Summer tours.

What question would you ask a mentor? 
What are your goals?

If you could give one piece of advice what would that be? 

To stay focused on your goals, listen to your audience (Fair Goer) always keep progressing with new ideas!!

What’s the one thing during the fair you can’t live without? 
Smiles!!!!!

What’s your advice on handling failure? 
Face it head on and never let the same thing happen the second time!!

What’s your favorite quote? 
Really don't have one!!

Who is your role model / mentor? 

Vince Lombardi, win, but win the right way, but work harder each day, and never let defeat get you down.

Convention Calendar & Updates

Mark your calendars to get plugged-in to YPI at the Annual IAFE Convention.  These events will be a great way to learn, meet new people and get more involved:

• Wine & Dine - YPI Representation
  Sunday, December 8, 6pm - 8pm, Planet Hollywood's second level
  The IAFE's Young Professionals Initiative invites you to Unlock your Dreams at this year's Wine and Dine. Tickets will be available for $20 each, with additional tickets being $10 each or 3 for $20. With initial purchase you will receive a custom labeled white or red wine, wine key and tote; as well as an opportunity to win the Dream Package, which includes one 2014 IAFE Convention Registration, Gordon Ramsey Gift Card, and other delights from participating zones. Don't miss out on your opportunity to Unlock Your Dreams and be part of a fun event for a great cause, the IAFE Education Foundation to benefit YPI Scholarships.
• YPI-Sponsored Workshop with Gary Berg on Work / Life Balance
  Monday, December 9, 3pm, Bally's Silver Room
• Ment-A-Minute Mixer
  Monday, December 9, 4:30pm - 5:30pm, Paris Versailles 3 & 4
• YPI Large Group Committee Meeting
  Tuesday, December 10, 2:30pm - 3:30pm, Bally's Bronze 3 & 4
• YPI Social Reception Sponsored by Noise New Media
  Tuesday, December 10, 7:30pm - 8:30pm, Paris Versailles 1 & 2
• Post Reception Get-Together
  Tuesday, December 10, after 8:30pm, location TBD

YPI Updates

• Join the YPI Facebook Discussion Group to connect with other YPI members, CLICK HERE.
• Tell us what you want to see featured in the YPI Newsletter, CLICK HERE.

September Newsletter

How To R.O.C.K A Presentation

Let’s face it, we all have been in the position of having to present for a meeting or for educational purposes.  Most people often have presentation jitters and anxiety, so how can you R.O.C.K. your next presentation and overcome the obstacles?

Research – The biggest culprit for presentation anxiety is not researching your material and preparing in an adequate manner.  So don’t delay, when it is more enticing to push off the task, you are only hurting yourself from rocking it on the big day.  

Overcome – You are able to overcome many of the presentation jitters by simply practicing your presentation.  It may be as simple as visually going through your presentation; it often helps to find key words that you assign as a trigger to advance to the next segment of the presentation.

Colorful – No one wants to sit through a presentation that puts you to sleep.  It is imperative to put your best foot forward by being colorful; which can mean many things.  Being colorful, could be utilizing vivid graphics and / or video.  Or it could mean being genuinely enthusiastic about your materials.  If you are not enjoying the subject matter yourself, it will be difficult to illustrate your message to your audience. 

Know Your Stuff – As you research and prepare you are actually familiarizing yourself more with the material.  As you become more knowledgeable about your subject matter you are able to recall the information in a more fluid manner, ready to tackle any questions that might otherwise catch you off guard.

Agriculture Insight

Brandi Herndon

Agribusiness Manger
Tulsa State Fair
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Now days, when people think of the Fair, they think of the outstanding food and fun rides, often times neglecting the foundation of Fairs, agriculture.  Not only do Fairs across the country provide competitive opportunities for our livestock exhibitors and agriculture youth, but also, educational opportunities for our Fair patrons.  Educating the general public about agriculture is probably one of the most important jobs we have has a Fair with the simplest of lessons like, “where our food and fiber comes from”.  Last year during the Tulsa State Fair, more than ever did I realize how important continued education really is.

It was closing time the last day of the Fair and we were in our birthing center getting ready to close down and load out all the animals.  We were standing by the bottle calves when a young boy, approximately 12, approached us.  In pure amazement he asked, “what is that?”.  This simple question provided us the opportunity to not to just explain to him what animal(s) he was looking at, but gave the opportunity to share where his food comes from.  If we did not make an impression on a single person during the duration of our Fair, we know we left an impression on this young man.  He left with a greater understanding of where his “hamburger” comes from and hopefully he shared the message with his family and friends.  

More now than ever, it is so important to continue to find more educational opportunities.  Each of us in the Fair industry should feel so privileged to have the opportunity to carry on the tradition of educating our Fair patrons!

YPI VIP Highlight

Letrice Midgett
Commercial Space Administrator & Administrative Assistant
North Carolina State Fair
Raleigh, North Carolina

Letrice Midgett has been employed with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer services for 17 years and has served the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh, since 2006. She serves as the Commercial Space Administrator & Administrative Assistant.

As a child, Ms. Midgett went to the fair with her parents. She grew up in the city, so when the fair was going on she was exposed to farm animals. She saw chickens, cows, sheep, rabbits, and visited the petting zoo. Her family would stay all day and enjoy the numerous treats available at the fair, including sausage dogs with onions, candy apples, funnel cakes, and more. She has an AAS degree in Office Systems Technology and completed the Administrative Professionals Certificate Program from Wake Technical Community College.

In her current position, Ms. Midgett is responsible for more than 500 vendors/exhibitors for the NC State Fair and the Got to Be NC Festival. She creates contracts, suggests and approves products and locations, collects payments, and finds new vendors and exhibitors. She also assists Fair Manager Wesley Wyatt and Assistant Fair Manager Ray Frost by scheduling meetings, answering customer questions and complaints, performing clerical duties, backing up the receptionist, and generally helping out in the daily operations of the office.

“I have truly enjoyed the experience of working at the North Carolina State Fair and know that it’s not just a one person job. Every employee at fair goes beyond their job duties to make sure we put on the BEST and SAFEST fair. Working with great people and sharing great moments is worth all the headaches we all endure in the planning process,” stated Ms. Midgett.

Ms. Midgett volunteers with the Big Brother Big Sister program, Career Day, local homeless shelters, and her church. She is a member of NICA and is currently enrolled in the IAFE Institute of Fair Management. She currently chairs the IAFE Commercial Exhibits & Concessions Committee. 

Ms. Midgett and her husband Terrell have one child and are expecting their second child on Jan. 3, 2014. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and traveling.

Mentor Spotlight

Marlene Pierson-Jolliffe
State Fair of West Virginia
Lewisburg, West Virginia

How long have you been in the fair industry?
Summer job from 1984 - August 1, 1989.  Full time since August 1, 1989.  

What’s the best lesson you have learned in the industry / or the hardest? 

Best Lesson - Without a doubt, my best lesson is that no one is perfect and people make mistakes. You have to find the good in everyone and decide if it is enough to give them additional chances. More often than not, it is. 

Hardest Lesson - The hardest lesson learned is that not everyone will always be as committed to the job as you are but it doesn't mean they are not engaged and interested.

What’s your favorite fair food? 
Fried Green Tomato Sandwich.

What do you feel is the biggest change / challenge you have faced? 

Professionally it has been the challenges with school start dates in our region impacting our attendance. The growth of non-fair events has changed the nature of our jobs and challenges us as far as work load.

What question would you ask a mentor? 
How do you find the time to think about the big picture?

If you could give one piece of advice what would that be? 
Respect those around you and lead among them, not above them.

What’s the one thing during the fair you can’t live without? 
A new pair of boots and hugs from my kids.

What’s your advice on handling failure? 

Having the strength to try new ideas is far more important than being afraid to try them and not knowing what the outcome would be. I have always believed it was better to try and fail than to never have tried at all. Failure is part of the game.

What’s your favorite quote? 
"If You Are Going to Dream, Dream Big"

Who is your role model / mentor? 

I've been blessed with several but I would have to say that the one person who has helped me understand the challenges of motherhood, work, the fair industry and life in general would have to be my dear friend Cindy Hoye.

YPI Updates

• Food from Fairs will Feed the Hungry through the Dream Big Food Drive in 2013. For more information and how to get involved, CLICK HERE.
• Join the YPI Facebook Discussion Group to connect with other YPI members, CLICK HERE.
• Tell us what you want to see featured in the YPI Newsletter, CLICK HERE.