March 2017 Newsletter

The YPI Journey

A message from our Outgoing Chair, Amanda Blair 

The journey through YPI and my time as Chair, has been one of my most memorable IAFE experiences.  When approached several years ago, it was perfect timing and I wanted to get plugged in to where I could make a difference.  Through my involvement in YPI, I have met amazing individuals from all over the United States and abroad.  The support I received as your chair, has opened doors and developed relationships that I will continue to cultivate. 

During my journey, I have had the opportunity to develop as a speaker, be in mentorship roles and experience a trip of a lifetime.  As your YPI Chair, speaking in Singapore at the Royal Agriculture Conference Society (RACS) was a fulfilling role, which I will never take for granted.  From experiencing the culture, to learning about food safety and vertical farming, being part of the RACS this past fall was an amazing part of my journey.  Looking back on my career, I never would have imagined being selected to represent IAFE and our awesome YPI program on the other side of the World.  It has been humbling, and I will never be able to express the gratitude I have for such a unique opportunity.   Singapore welcomed our delegates with open arms.  The focus was learning and creating a collaborative unit to improve food security around the globe.  During the trip we sampled food, such as squid ink scallops to durian, many bowls of rice, and of course sipped on an original Raffles Hotel Singapore Sling. 

It is with enthusiasm I know YPI will continue to grow and be able to pave the future as adversity continues and Fairs adjust to modern times.  Your steering committee includes influential, talented individuals who without a doubt, will lead YPI to an even greater tomorrow.  Thank you for the opportunity to serve, and I look forward to YPI’s continued success in 2017.

Warm regards,

Amanda Blair

Tulsa State Fair

We Are Here to Support YOU! 

A message for your 2017 YPI Chair, Chelsey Jungck 

I still remember my first IAFE Annual Convention in 2009. I was brand new to the fair industry. I had one fair under my belt as a seasonal employee and I had recently committed to joining the Nebraska State Fair as a full-time employee, which included moving with the fair to Grand Island, NE. The week before convention I had just made that move, lugging all of my belongings 90 miles west, from Lincoln to Grand Island, NE. Our adventure in Grand Island would begin once we returned from convention.

            So, life was a whirlwind, to say the least, and I wasn’t entirely sure what I had signed up for as I rolled into the Paris/Bally’s convention center in Las Vegas. Admittedly, I was quite nervous! But, it was within the first few hours of convention that I began to meet members of the IAFE’s Young Professionals Initiative (YPI). They were friendly, welcoming, and quick to invite me to join them at various events throughout the week. By the time I left convention my nerves were gone, I had a network of friends from across the country, and I knew the fair industry was my professional home.

            I applied to join the YPI Steering Committee with this experience in mind. I knew that I wanted to be part of the team that had the opportunity to make a similar impact on other young professionals in our industry. I am so very honored and thankful that that application would lead to four years of service on the YPI Steering Committee, and that this year I will serve as the YPI Steering Committee Chair.

            The YPI’s page on the IAFE website states that, “In addition to providing professional development, networking and educational opportunities for its members, YPI serves as a channel for idea sharing and furthering relationships among fair leaders across the U.S. and Canada.” That has indeed been my experience with YPI! I am proud and excited to be a part of the team that will strive to further those goals for all young professionals in the fair industry, in 2017.

            Thank you to Amanda Blair, the 2016 YPI Steering Committee Chair, and the outgoing even zone representatives for their commitment and service to YPI. This year, we will be welcoming applications for new odd zone representatives on the Steering Committee. If you are from Zones 1, 3, 5, 7, or an associate, under 40, who would like to help shape the future of YPI, I encourage you to apply! Please remember that myself, Miranda Muir (2017 YPI Steering Committee Vice Chair), and the rest of the 2017 YPI Steering Committee are here to support YOU, the young professionals in the fair industry. I invite you to check out our webpage, follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, or join us at any IAFE event this year. We are always gathering and engaging, as a group, to support the future of the fair industry!  

Here’s to the IAFE YPI in 2017!

Chelsey Jungck

Scholarship Awards - 2016 Convention

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 begun 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 2016 recipients:

ZONE 1: 

• Carly Reyna – Schaghtcoke Fair
• Paula Smith – Erie County Fair

ZONE 2:

• Suzanne Holcomb – Greater Hillsborough County Fair
• Andrea Simeone – South Florida Fair

ZONE 3:

• Mike Berkery – Indiana State Fair
• Tara Sheldon – Holmes County Fair
• Alyssa Szafasz – Porter County Fair

ZONE 4:

• Chrissy Gluege – Waukesha County Fair
• Ian Heilmann – Wisconsin State Fair
• Katy Stenerson – Red River Valley Fair
• Angela Stern – Wisconsin State Fair
• Kayla Thuemling – Wisconsin State Fair

ZONE 5:

• Greg Heine – Cedar County Fair
• Alyssa Preston – Warren County Fair

ZONE 6:

• Cody Rosenbalm – East Texas State Fair
• Brent Talley – Four State Fair

ZONE 7:

• Jillian Cook - Calgary Stampede
• Leslie Gorman – Canyon County Fair

ZONE 8:

• Rachel Jacobson – Alameda County Fair
• Alison Wells – California State 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! 

Looking to Get Involved?

The YPI Steering Committee is seeking new members from Zones 1, 3, 5, 7 and an associate 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, 2017.

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

YPI Spotlight:

Justin Iwankow

Entertainment Coordinator   
Erie County Fair

Hamburg, NY

• How long have you been in the fair industry? 4 years at my current position.   9 years prior as a fair seasonal employee
• What advice do you have for anyone new to the industry? Don't lose focus on why you are in the Fair Industry.  It isn't always easy and fun, and things will get difficult, but remember why you are putting in the work, and that it is worth it.  
• What’s your favorite fair food? Funnel cake has to be my favorite fair food, just be careful with the powdered sugar on a windy day.  
• What does the YPI network mean to you? To me, YPI means that the fair business isn't going anywhere.  It is great to see other young professionals in this field who care about fairs as much as you do.  Together we can find ways to honor the past fair traditions and mix them with new ideas in order to adapt to our changing society and world.  
• What is the best fair advice you've ever been given? Slow Down and Breathe.  Even if it is for a second, take the time think before jumping to a conclusion or making a rapid decision. 
• Position: Entertainment Coordinator
• What’s your favorite fair memory? My parents, grandparents, 5 brothers and I would pack into the van with a cooler full of lunch food and snacks and just enjoy all the free things to do at the fair.  My Grandpa would sit at a picnic table all day watching the shows on the community stage (the stage I eventually began to run) and love every minute of it.  I would sit with him and he made you realize how easy it is to enjoy the little things in life.  
• What is one item you can't live without during the Fair? At least 1 pair of good sneakers.  A lot of walking!
• How did you get involved in the Fair industry? My fair was looking for a stage manager to run a community stage and I had experience in that field from running my High School Stage Crew. 
• 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! Anyone who has met me knows that I always have a smile on my face and I stay positive.  Life is too short not be happy.  You're attitude and energy is contagious.  You never know who you will meet that might need that smile to turn their day around.   There is no such thing as a bad day, it is just a different day.

Mentor Spotlight:

Celeste Settrini

Salinas, CA

Celeste was nominated by Emily Grunewald as a mentor.  Celeste is very active in the Ag. Industry.  She is an active advocate for Agriculture and the Fair Industry.  

• How long have you been in the fair industry? Involved with Fairs since I started showing livestock projects at age 9. I have worked at numerous fairs in the entry department and assisted with special projects. I was also on the board of our local fair - Friends of the Fair group
• What’s the best / hardest lesson you have learned in the industry? I think dealing with so many personalities can be the best and the hardest. So many people passionate about so many things and you come to realize that the passion you hold for a certain " something " is comparable to someone else " something"  Once you learn that everyone has a thought and you learn to deal with that then things seem to fall into place and many times you can get your point across. Never go in thinking that your way is the only way. Lots of people, lots of personalities, lots of ideas make a great fair !
• What’s your favorite fair food? Old Country Cinnamon Rolls with TONS of cream cheese frosting - WARM - Oh I want one right now!
• What do you feel is the biggest change / challenge you have faced? I really have not been involved in depth enough with the fair industry to face challenges but I do know that when fair managers or board members move on from their positions it seems like with any other business or industry it takes adjustments and understanding on all parts.  One thing I think we sometimes don't like to admit but it's true is that everyone can be replaced.  Once you leave a position someone can come and fill that spot. Never think you are too good cause there is always someone that can come along and " be gooder."  ( Yes I realize that is not a word but it makes sense :) 
• What question would you ask a mentor? What is your greatest life experience? With experiences come lots of good stuff. When folks share their life experiences from their areas of expertise it is a good way for the rest of us to learn.  Someone once told me " You are an expert in your own experiences." That is such a great piece of advice, by sharing experiences we become well rounded.
• If you could give one piece of advice what would that be? Never sacrifice your true self no matter what.  We are in a world where we seem to always compare ourselves to others, there will always be someone who has a higher degree than you, in better shape than you, has more money than you , etc etc but YOU are the only YOU there is and others are looking at you thinking the same thing . Always do your best, try hard and that is the most you can ask for. 
• What’s the one thing during the fair you can’t live without? Livestock Exhibits - especially the cattle! 
• What’s your advice on handling failure? Accept with grace and move ahead, you are not always going to win, it makes it that much sweeter when you do .
• What’s your favorite quote? Never let the noise of others drown out your own inner voice - this is so very important because there is so much " noise" out there from people who might not fully understand what we do or why we do it.  But...... 
• Who is your role model / mentor? My mom - we lost my dad very suddenly a few years back and my mother did not miss a beat in making sure that our family ranch kept on track. As hard as it was without him she did not falter in making sure that we would continue as a successful business. She never says she can't . She just does it , whatever she is faced with .  When you think of it we really all need to be that way. Accept challenges that arise and TRY.  Never say you can't do something.

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. 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.

November 2016 Newsletter

Convention is Coming!
5 Biggest Mistakes To Avoid

1. Not coming with an open mind. Sure, we all have our way. Maybe we’ve done something in a particular fashion for decades. It just works. And we don’t want to reinvent the wheel. But we can’t let fear of change hold us back from moving forward.
2. Not listening. Aristotle said the greatest art is listening, and we learned in last year’s closing speech from Dr. Rick Rigsby that we immediately forget 50% of what we just heard, and of the remaining 50%, we forget 38% within 24 hours. Let’s not be a statistic and retain only 12% of the knowledge we could have gained at the Convention.
3. Not exchanging business cards. It’s easy to be guilty of this. Go to a round table, get great ideas and write them down, but fail to get the contact information for those people we’ve just had an intense one-hour discussion with. Build your network. You and the colleague you just met can each be one another’s sounding board – so connect!
4. Doing whatever you want, whenever you want. If you travel with a group of representatives from your Fair, use that to your advantage. Sometimes, you may want to be in two places at once, and a colleague can take great notes and learn from a session while you aren’t there. Take others’ schedules into consideration and meet as a staff before you leave, highlighting workshops and roundtables to divide and conquer.
5. Letting your ideas sit dormant. So many amazing ideas are shared at the convention – but sometimes those ideas sit jotted in a forgotten notebook for eternity. Pick a day after you return to sit down, look through your notes and make actionable plans to implement ideas. Mark this day on your calendar, phone or even ask Siri to remind you.

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Mark your calendar: YPI events at Convention

Time flies! It is hard to believe that the Convention is later this month. We know you have busy schedules with meetings, workshops, roundtables and more – but we’d love for you to carve out a little time for YPI festivities. So, grab your schedule and pencil us in!

• Monday, Nov. 28 (3 – 4:45 pm, Paris Versailles 3 & 4) - Mixing, Mingling & Merriment with fellow YPI’s at our meeting and happy hour
• Monday, Nov. 28 (9:30 pm-ish, Le Centrale) – Come when you can, leave when you’re ready. We’ll be informally gathering for conversation (and cocktails, if you choose) at the “circle bar” at Paris; it’s near the elevators.
• Tuesday, Nov. 29 (2:30 – 4 pm, Paris Versailles 3 & 4) - Ment-A-Minute – Join us for a fast-paced mixer with mentors that provides a great opportunity for young leaders to network with career mentors, which includes a number of well-established fair executives, as well as fellow young professionals in the fair industry.
• Tuesday, Nov. 29 (7:30 pm, TopGolf*) - TopGolf –Sponsored by YPI, but open to everyone. TopGolf is a four-level entertainment venue with interactive golf games. It features climate-controlled hitting bays. Players hit golf balls containing computer microchips that track each shot’s accuracy and distance while also awarding points for hitting targets on the outfield.
• Wednesday, Nov. 30 (2 – 3 pm, Bally’s Skyview 1) Finding Balance: Enhancing Fair Traditions with the Flair of Today workshop - Come join this group of long-time fair managers and their new co-workers, as they share ideas and examples of how they have worked together balancing honored traditions with modern enhancements.
• Wednesday, Nov. 30 (9:30 pm-ish, Le Centrale) – It’s your last chance to gather with fellow YPIs before you head home. Swing by at your leisure to chat with fellow young pros at the “circle bar” at Paris. 

*Pre-registration required
 

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Input needed: how to blend your fair's history with today's trends

The YPI needs your help by submitting questions and discussion topics for our Convention workshop! The workshop (Finding Balance: Enhancing Fair Traditions with the Flair of Today) will be held Wednesday, November 30th at 2 pm. The idea is bridge the gap between old and new, how we've ALWAYS done it and moving forward, or simply welcoming the next generation and their fresh perspective. Our panel of seasoned professionals and industry newbies will be taking your questions and sharing ideas and ways to make these transitions seamless. What do you want to know about? What are your questions? What struggles are you facing right now? Post your questions and comments on our Facebook post or on the Igniter message board and we'll make sure they are discussed during this panel presentation!

New to the Igniter message boards? 
It's easy to get started. Click here for instructions on how to use the board. Already signed up? Log in to participate and start a topic.

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Relax with us at evening social gatherings

After a long day at the Convention, it’s time for some play! Meet up with YPIers and others from the fair industry at Le Centrale (the circle bar) in Paris. We’ll be meeting there at 9:30 pm both Monday and Wednesday. Come and go as you please!

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Mentor Spotlight: Kendra Wright

Kendra Wright
Saffire, President
Austin, Texas

How long have you been in the fair industry? For about 7 years, when we were contacted by a fair to do their website, and it instantly felt like "home." We knew we wanted to serve this industry, but we had no idea that it would become our family within just a few years.

What’s the best / hardest lesson you have learned in the industry? One great lesson is that fairs talk about us, and we just need to make sure we're providing great service so they're saying the right thing!

What is your favorite fair food? Funnel cake, hands down. Generally, I'm a purist - it has to be topped with powdered sugar - none of that frosting or crushed cookies. ButI had one at North Texas Fair once that was like a cherry-filled donut, and it was life changing.

What do you feel is the biggest change / challenge you have faced? I think getting into such a tight knit industry can be hard, but people are also so welcoming. When I go to IAFE, I know I'm among friends. I love walking the corridor between Bally's and Paris and know I'll be stopped 100 times, and I secretly love it! I also love sitting in Circle Bar to "get some work done" and know I'll see so many friends. I can't wait to find the equivalent places to these in San Antonio!

On a more serious note, when we first came to IAFE, there weren't any other fair website providers, and so it was an interesting trail to blaze, but so worth it! This was an industry that needed digital marketing help, and we've been so lucky to get to provide it!

What question would you ask a mentor? I would ask about balance, except that I've come to feel that balance is an illusion. I've always been so driven, sometimes at the expense of other areas of my life. It's sometimes hard to feel that I'm doing any area well! But so many friends express this feeling that I've come to terms with the fact that balance just might be the impossible dream.

If you could give one piece of advice what would that be? I would say don't be too tied to what you think you want to do. Not to sound ancient, but the internet didn't exist when I was in college. If I hadn't been open, I would have missed the opportunity to work in this industry for almost my whole career!

People will define you how you define yourself. Over 20 years ago, someone asked if I was a writer, and my slightly-exaggerated yes led me to becoming one of the earliest (and among extremely few women) webmasters, because my writing needed to go on this new thing called "the internet." Put simply, I'd "just say yes" more.

What’s the one thing during the fair you can’t live without? My sneakers, so I can experience the entire fair without my dogs barking! :)

What’s your advice on handling failure? Gosh, that's hard. I think you really just have to try and learn from it and move on. It's like dating; every bad date you go on helps you determine what you're looking for, so you can't see them as failures, no matter how painful they are!

What is your favorite quote? My favorite quote is "Leap, and the net will appear."

I first heard this when I was contemplating leaving my corporate job to start my digital marketing company, and it was so perfect. You can work really hard and try to do the right things, but at a certain point, you just have to take a leap. If you wait for the net, it's not really leaping.

Being comfortable leaping not knowing how the net will look is an acquired taste, earned by doing it many times and having things work out. I also love the concept that the world is conspiring in my favor. This belief that things are happening that are beyond our control is calming and hopeful to me.

Who is your role model/mentor? My dad has been my mentor. He was the ultimate entrepreneur, taking risks that would have caused sleepless nights for many people. When he was 40, he moved his young family to Branson, Missouri without a job or place to live.

So when I've taken risks, such as adding ticketing to our offering a few years ago, we did it extremely carefully, but we did it. And it has been amazing! Here's to leaping!

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Announcements

• 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. Heading to the Convention? Don't forget to use #IAFE2016. 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.

September 2017 Newsletter

5 Checks for Website Success

By: Cassie Roberts, Saffire

Whether you’re thinking about getting a new website or just looking to make updates to your current online presence, the process can be fairly daunting! There’s so much “noise” living on the web. It’s hard to know what will attract the most eyeballs and lead to the most revenue. After all, that’s one of the main reasons you have a website—to increase your bottom line by attracting more customers! By following these five tips, you’ll be on the path to website (and revenue) success!

1. You MUST BE MOBILE 

For some of us it seems obvious, but having a mobile website isn’t always a given. We recently attended a fair where a whopping 73% of traffic on their website during their fair was from a smart phone! Go to your own website from your phone often. Make sure it’s easy to find your way around. You may even want to make the first image on your website link to something like your schedule or directions—things that people visiting on their phone might care most about. It may not seem like that’s what someone would want to see on their desktop computer, but if more people are coming on mobile, then that should be more important! Do you need a mobile app? Many fairs & fairgrounds have one and love it! Before you even consider an app however, your mobile website must be up to par. No one goes to the app store when they are looking for directions or trying to get a last minute ticket. Customers have been trained to go to Google, and this is where your extremely important mobile site lives.

2. Give visitors PURCHASING POWER. 

That doesn’t mean just having one link on your website that takes buyers to an external website to buy tickets. You want as many big BUY buttons as possible!
Think about when you go to Amazon.com—there are buy buttons on every product, with a minimal number of clicks to purchase. That’s what you want too! How many clicks does it take before someone is entering in their credit card information to buy a ticket to your fair? Minimize the number of clicks and maximize your sales! Reviews or testimonials next to a ticket or product are great too. One of the key factors that influences a millennial’s purchasing decision (one of the largest purchasing audiences) is what other people think about the product that have used it before. Incorporating thoughts from other people’s experiences on your tickets page can be a great way to boost revenue.

3.  Keep your EYE ON EMAIL.
It’s easy to get caught up in all the fancy social media posting and advertising options that are available out there, and while many of those options are viable and profitable, email is still the number one predictor of a sale. Your email list is your most captive audience—people that have given you their contact information and are BEGGING for your ticket information! Make sure to have a place for people to sign up for your email list on every page of your website, and that you are sending emails with links to buy. The fewer clicks rule applies again—the less someone has to work to sign up, the more sign ups you are going to get.

4. VIDEOS ARE VIRAL. 
Having video on your website is the most surefire way to make people see how much fun they can have at your fair as well as increase the likelihood that a visitor will make a purchase. Most people’s attention span on a particular page of a website is 15 seconds or less; however, with a video, you have a completely captive audience for up to a few minutes. Studies show that customers who watch a video of a product are as much as 85% more likely to purchase from you! It does take extra effort to add videos to your homepage and event pages, but it will be worth it!

5.  Think about CREATIVE CUSTOMIZATIONS FOR CUSTOMERS. 
More and more, people want to go to a website, and feel like you’re talking just to THEM individually. For a fair, this means making each person feel like they’re the most important, regardless of if they’re coming to your site for competitive events information, carnival rides or rodeos. Having big photographic links & buttons on your homepage that take visitors to what they care about most is key. Another great idea is having homepage modules that let a visitor enter information such as their address, and then giving directions based on where THEY are coming from. You could also allow customers to build a custom itinerary of events or click on polls—remember others’ opinions are a valuable part of the purchasing process too! The more customers feel like you are catering to them & their individual needs, the more likely they will be to keep coming back.

Cassie Roberts has extensive experience with online marketing and event planning. She started working with Saffire in 2011 after managing events herself, and since then, the company has grown from supporting a few great organizations in Texas to partnering with hundreds of events, venues and destinations across the country. Cassie lives in Austin, TX, and if you’re looking to visit, can rival any tour guide in the city! Give her a call or shoot her an email if you want more website tips or are coming to visit: 512.430.1123 or cassie@saffire.com. 

2016 IAFE Convention YPI Events

Raisin' for a Reason - Sunday, November 27, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at BLOQ

This redesigned event will replace what was formally known as the Wine and Dine.  The Young Professionals group will be a part of the action supporting new games and fundraising activities. This event requires a ticket and funds raised will benefit the IAFE Education Foundation.

YPI Meeting & Happy Hour - Monday, November 28, 2016 at 3:00 p.m.   

Come mingle with old friends, meet new friends, and relax for this free social hour.  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.

Ment-A-Minute - Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 2:30 p.m.

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.

TopGolf - Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

If you haven't tried this new way to golf, you won't want to miss this fun for all activity.  Meet up with other young professionals for a great time with no agenda.  No golfing skills required, just wear your comfy shoes and relax.  Visit www.topgolf.com to see more!  Additional purchase required to golf, but everyone is welcome to join in the fun.

Finding Balance: Enhancing Fair Traditions with the Flair of Today - Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. 

Join us for this informative workshop as we hear from both industry greats and rising stars, as they share how they were able to balance tradition with change.  Finding a path to successfully transition your Fair related events and activities can be difficult, but we hope you will leave this session with some tips and a dose of encouragement.

IAFE Awards Gala - Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. 

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.  And don't forget to stay for the goodies and social hour!

Announcements 

• REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the 2016 IAFE Convention, November 27 - 30 in Las Vegas, NV.  TheREVOLUTION is happening and you won't want to miss it.  Be sure to register before October 3 to take advantage of early bird pricing!
• 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.

July 2016 Newsletter

Meet Your New YPI Representatives 

Zone 2 Representative Laura Murek is the Event & Sponsorship Coordinator for the Montgomery County Agricultural Center in Maryland.. She is honored to be serving on the YPI Committee because she loves the industry and knows the benefits networking and learning from one another can provide. She currently also serves on the Sponsorship and Commercial Space committees for the IAFE and having been a newcomer, she is looking forward to helping bridge the gap, welcoming those new to the industry with open arms.

Emily Grunewald will be representing Zone 4.  Ms. Grunewald has been a part of the Red River Valley Fair Association in North Dakota for 3 years and currently manages their annual Big Iron Farm Show and oversees the Livestock Department.  She says the Fair is her passion.  As an active volunteer from a young age, she has a strong desire to do more, becoming actively involved through IAFE programs both as a presenter and future leader.

Lisa Rogers comes to the committee representing Zone 6 and the Rogers County Fair in Oklahoma. Lisa is the only full-time paid staff for the Fair so she is in charge of almost everything.  She sees and understands the importance of getting our young professionals engaged and involved.  As a Graphic Designer, she is looking forward to helping with YPI promotional materials, offering her services to help push the group to the next level.

Our Zone 8 Representative is Courtny Conkle from the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in California.  Ms. Conkle is the Exhibit Representative for the Fair and also manages year round facility rentals.  She is proud to have grown up in the industry and had the opportunity to meet and get to know many amazing mentors.  She has traveled to over 300 Fairs exploring new ideas and events and will bring a wealth of knowledge to the Committee.

The Associate Representative is Sara Novak with Triangle Talent in Louisville, Kentucky.  Sara is currently the Vice President and works with clients to book and produce talent and entertainment.  She also provides on-site production assistance throughout the duration of various fairs and events.  Ms. Novak is currently enrolled in the IAFE Institute of Fair Management and believes all organizations need to "invest in their younger demos so that they have the leadership in place for years to come."

Current Zone 2 Representative, Miranda Muir from the Kissimmee Valley Livestock Show & Osceola County Fair in Florida, has been selected to move to the Vice Chair position.  Miranda is the General Manager for her Fair and also serves as the YPI Chair for the Florida Federation of Fairs. Her proudest YPI Moment came this past year when the Florida team raised over $4,000 for a local charity at the FFF Annual Convention.  She is looking forward to further promoting our young professionals and hi-lighting 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.  They are the next BIG thing to hit your Fair!"

Announcements

• REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the 2016 IAFE Convention, November 27th - 30th in Las Vegas, NV.  The REVOLUTION is happening and you won't want to miss it. Be sure to register before October 3rd to take advantage of early bird pricing! 
• Show me the MONEY - Find out how you can save some cash and still attend convention.  Scholarships are available for YPI Members, New Fairs, Small Fairs, Advertising/PR Professionals, and more. Check out the convention website for all the details!
• VOLUNTEER for a 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.
• Do you know a industry RISING STAR?  Nominate them for this 2016 award. The Winner will be honored at the 2016 IAFE Convention, REVOLUTION. The deadline is August 31st so don't delay! Click HERE for more information.

January 2016 newsletter

Volunteer in your local community this year

A Message from YPI Chair Amanda Blair

Our goal is to develop a platform where YPI can be impactful in big ways throughout the year.  Each of you are part of organizations where collectively we can make an enormous difference.  We want to encourage you all to "Get Plugged-In," and commit time through service with your peers. 

It will be a fun activity where you can:

• Give back to your individual communities
• Visit assisted living centers to interact with the elderly.
• Volunteer time at the local food bank to assist the homeless and underprivileged families.
• Donate unwanted or unused items of your own to local homeless shelters.
• Help local animal shelters and rescue clinics spread the word about adoption. 
• Adopt a highway to assist in the litter removal program.
• Develop camaraderie and build your teams
• Make a fun competition out of the service work, like a group scavenger hunt.
• Try to provide snacks, drinks and music at the event to keep fellow volunteers happy to be there.
• Produce an impactful outcome
• Opportunity to meet new people and learn new things while gaining pride in the community. 
• It’s rewarding to be able to take credit for a change that benefits the community where you live. 
• Choose an organization that you value to create significant importance to the services you provide. 

Just think, if each of us are the medium to stimulate service work, we will have a significant number to report during the Annual Convention next year.  I want to challenge each of you to discuss what is important to you, or your community, and find a way to give back through service hours in 2016.

Our goal is to have measurable success that we can illustrate at next year’s convention, and highlight the fun activities YPIers are doing across the country.  During your time with your Zones, please think about this powerful objective, and help us get to an achievable goal, make an individual difference, that collectively will be significant for IAFE YPI.

Once Service Projects / Activities are completed, help us illustrate our impact by completing the Service Project /Activity Form.

Tulsa State Fair Community Service Experience

The Tulsa State Fair employees were excited to have the opportunity to serve at the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma in December of 2015. Employee’s site wide geared up in the busy holiday season to volunteer their time. Transportation was offered to employees from the work site to the volunteer site. The ride to the Food Bank allowed the employees to gain camaraderie and enjoy a fun time that is hard to capture on a typical workday. Having fun and sharing laughs didn’t stop there!

Once at the Food Bank the competition was on to see which team could get the most bags of Corn Flakes packed and sealed the quickest. This kept the excitement and fun going while volunteering. Once the service was complete the Food Bank then praised the Tulsa State Fair employees on their time and efforts leaving them with a sense of pride that they had impacted their community. At the end of the night the bus offered to take employees back to their cars before beginning the Christmas light tour of Tulsa. This was a great outing because employees were able to offer their time and service as well as being appreciated for their efforts at the same time. 

 

Community Service Opportunities from A-Z

• 4-H
• Adopt a Highway (adoptahighway.net)
• After School Tutoring Programs
• Aide to Elderly, Handicapped or Chronically Ill
• Animal Rescue (www.SPCA.org)
• Awana (awana.org)
• Big Brother Big Sister (www.mentorbig.org)
• Boy Scouts Sponsor
• Canned Food Drives
• Church Camp Counselor
• Community Center Volunteer
• Community Clean Up
• Food Pantry Programs
• Fostering Animals
• Gardening in Community Parks
• Girl Scout Sponsor
• Helping Hands (www.hhrd.org)
• Hospital Volunteer
• Jared Boxes (www.thejaredbox.com)
• Kiwanis Club (www.kiwanis.org)
• Library Volunteer
• Lifeguard Certification
• Meals On Wheels (www.Mealcall.org)
• Mission Trips
• Operations Christmas Child (www.samaritanspurse.org)
• Plant Trees
• Reading Buddy Programs
• United Way (www.unitedway.org)
• Walks / Runs for a cause
• YMCA Volunteer
• Zoo Volunteer

5 Tips for Creating a YPI group in your state or province

Not all young professionals in the Fair industry are able to annually attend the IAFE Convention, so many states have started to build their own YPI groups for networking, service projects and more. Interested in getting one started in your state or province? Here are a few tips to help get started.

1.  START SMALL AND WORK YOUR WAY UP.
Chelsey Jungck, who was instrumental in starting the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers (NAFM) YPI group, highly recommends meeting informally for the first few years. “It gave us an opportunity to hold open discussions on how we would like to form the group, and what we would like to see the YPI do/accomplish. We were also able to test out a variety of activities – round tables, large group discussions, speakers, socials, etc.”

2. CONSIDER A STEERING COMMITTEE.
If your state is divided into regions or districts, seek out representation from each of those geographic areas. They can serve as the liaison to the young professionals nearby and help to generate ideas and secure programming for upcoming meetings and conventions. Don’t forget about governance – as you grow, you may want to pull together bylaws and hold elections for positions such as a chair or vice chair within your group.

3. CARVE OUT A LITTLE TIME AT YOUR STATE OR PROVINCIAL CONVENTION.
Conventions pack a ton of sessions and activities into a small amount of time, so be cognizant of the fact that young professionals have sessions and meetings to attend, and schedule YPI events in dedicated time slots or the limited “down time” available. Chelsey explains, “With a very short convention weekend, it is very difficult to find time in the convention schedule for the YPers to meet. The NAFM Board, and our founding group of YPers, agreed that we did not want to prevent the YPers from participating in the general convention activities.” The NAFM YPI usually holds one social event and one business/development event over the course of two days, both about an hour to an hour and a half in length. Another great tip from Chelsey – “avoid early morning meetings at all costs!”

4. INTEGRATE WITH MORE SEASONED PROFESSIONALS.
Don’t forget that topics that might be of interest to young professionals are also engaging for those over 40. If you’re hosting a speaker, consider opening the session up to all attendees but “sponsoring” it from the YPI group.

5. FIND A MISSION
Is it networking? Do you want to contribute or volunteer to a charity? The Florida young professionals have found that working as a unified group to hold a charity drive at their state convention helps the group maintain focus. Start small with one goal or mission to work toward, and build as necessary.

Interested in starting a YPI group in your state and need a little help? Don’t hesitate to contact Chelsey Jungck at cjungck@statefair.org or Miranda Muir at miranda@osceolacountyfair.com.

Zone meetings announced

The Zone meetings have been announced! Mark your calendar and check your mail for more information about how to attend!

• Zone 1 - May 6 - 7 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, N.H.
• Zone 2 - May 12-14 in St. Augustine, Fla. in conjunction with the Florida Federation of Fairs
• Zone 3 and 6 Combined Meeting - April 14 - 17 at Schlitterbahn Beach Resort in South Padre Island, Texas
• Zone 4 - April 4 - 6 in at the Radisson Hotel in Green Bay, Wisc.
• Zone 5 - March 4 - 6 at Kansas City Marriott Country Club in Kansas City, Mo.

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. 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 YPI Facebook Discussion Group - 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.

November 2015 YPI Newsletter

5 Ways to Make the Most of the IAFE Convention

Whether this is your first time attending the IAFE Convention or you come every year, there is a lot to experience in just a few short days. From preparing beforehand to having a great time while you're there, here's what you need to know to make the most of this event. 

1.  SET YOUR GOALS
Goal setting is often overlooked when preparing for a convention. Take time to think about what you would like to achieve while you’re at the IAFE Convention. Are you there to build or extend contacts, gain or share new ideas, or find answers to questions? Whatever your goals, if your focus is clear, you'll be more likely to maximize your experience. 

2. DO YOUR HOMEWORK
Once you set your goals, it is time to do a little research. Download the convention schedule before the event to familiarize yourself with the workshops, programs, roundtables and more. Make a list of hot topics to cover or booths to visit in the trade show to help achieve those goals. Need to learn what on Earth Snapchat is? Make a note to “BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)” to the Tech Workbench and someone can fill you in. Wondering what your Fair will do about poultry shows in 2016? Hit the round table and connect with your peers from other fairs.  

3. PLAN YOUR DAY
After reviewing the day’s agenda, make a plan. First, highlight events you want to attend, from workshops to round tables to visiting the Ed Shed. Since you can’t be in two places at once, consider splitting up and sharing notes later if you are attending with colleagues from your fair or festival. Next, work in any meetings with new contacts or friends from afar. Need a place to meet? Swing by the Chit Chat Suite. Finally, carve out some time to peruse the trade show. Be sure to walk through aisle by aisle so you don’t miss a thing! 

Helpful Hint: Have all your group members’ cell phone numbers programmed into your phone so that you can easily connect if you get separated or discover something you want to share.

4. HAVE YOUR MATERIALS READY
Pen? Check. Notebook? Check. Business Cards? Check and double check.
Be sure to have an ample supply of business cards that is easily accessible without having to dig through your purse or pockets. You don't want to keep people waiting or appear disorganized. Have a place to keep your incoming cards; your badge holder works well for this.  Since you'll be walking a lot, wear comfortable—but well-maintained—shoes. Speaking of walking - don't forget your pedometer. Bring your step count to the IAFE Registration Desk between 2 and 3 p.m. each day as a part of the Step It Up Challenge, sponsored by Swifty Swine Productions. The most steps for that day wins a prize!

Helpful Hint:  Always have a pen on hand to take notes on business cards you receive to remind you of why you met and any follow-up plans. 

5. PERFECT YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH
We could always use a little refresher when it comes to networking skills, and preparing a 30- to 60-second "elevator pitch" about you and your fair is the perfect way to get started. Given that you're bound to see others wearing their trusty IAFE Convention badges in the elevator and may really put the pitch to task, now is a great time to prepare to make a new friend on your way from the lobby to your destination. 

Helpful Hint: Need a little help? Mark your calendar for November 30 at 10:15 a.m. for “Pitch Perfect – Perfecting your Elevator Pitch” and you can learn all about how to get your pitch (and your fair’s) just right. 

Get Social - Ride the High Roller with YPI

The IAFE YPI has reserved a private cabin on the 550-foot-tall High Roller at the nearby LINQ promenade on Monday, November 30. The wheel takes 30 minutes to complete one full revolution and features 28 glass-enclosed cabins with broad views of the famed resort city. There are benches on either side of the cabin, with plenty of floor space in between. Due to limited space, you are encouraged to purchase your ticket in advance online.

Don’t love heights? Don’t worry. Let’s meet at the Yard House at 9:30 p.m. at the base of the High Roller for some social fun. Those riding can meet us after!

Get involved - volunteer!

IAFE needs you! Help make the Convention a success and meet a few friendly new faces in the process as a volunteer. There are still a few opportunities to get involved by clicking the links below: 

• Directions, EdShed, General Volunteer opportunities
• Door monitors
• Round Table monitors

YPI Convention Activities

Mentor Spotlight: Meet Russ Harrison

Russ Harrison, Rudy's Pizza

How long have you been in the fair industry?
25 years
 
What do you feel is the biggest change / challenge you have faced?
The biggest change and challenges are government regulations.
 
If you could give one piece of advice what would that be?
  We are in the entertainment business and it's all about entertaining our guest.
 
What’s your advice on handling failure?
  Failure makes you evaluate yourself to do better
 
What’s your favorite quote?  
ʺYou can learn a lot just by observing.ʺ Yogi Berra
 
Who is your role model / mentor?
  In the outdoor amusement industry Mr. Bob Commerford has always been my role model/mentor.

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. 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 YPI Facebook Discussion Group - To connect with other YPI members, click here. 
• Post on social - Tell us what you're up to! Post using #IAFEYPI and #IAFE2015. 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.