July 2017 Newsletter

Balancing Life

Many of us younger generation adults are balancing work and college.  Some of us are also adding a spouse and a child or two. We often find ourselves struggling to maintain a positive, healthy balance while juggling so many things on our never ending list of things we need to do. Fair season is upon many of us right now and this does not make that list any shorter!
Many of us are blessed to have an environment where we can carefully combine work and home life. Some of us are also blessed with a great support system at home. As our fair dates get closer and our work week escalates, keep in mind your happiness, health and wellbeing. Technology makes us accessible around the clock to our exhibitors, vendors and the public. Remember to put limits and prioritize continuously throughout your day.

Some suggestions to help get us through those months, where the to do list never ends:

• Build some downtime into your schedule - even just a few minutes to recharge and rest. Remember that a little relaxation goes a long way.
• Don't be afraid to ask for help. Involve coworkers and family members. 
• Managing time appropriately. Set time limits to make you work faster and more efficiently 
• Living a well-rounded lifestyle. Try not to eat so much fried dough (those darn greasy carbs), and exercise, to release those healthy endorphins 
• Unplug. Take 10 minutes a day, if not more, just be offline
• Set goals for the day and prioritize continuously. 
• Remember, the Fair will come whether we are ready or not. Focus on the things that are most important and continue to pursue excellence in all things.

 
Scholarships for Attendees

Scholarships are available to folks involved at member fairs who would like to attend the annual IAFE Convention and Trade Show. Below are the available scholarships with a small description. Applications are due August 31, 2017

Convention Scholarships

**Zone 1 Application Two scholarships at $1,000

**Zone 2 Application Two scholarships at $1,000

**Zone 3 Application Five scholarships at $600 (one for each state/province in Zone 3)

**Zone 5 Application Two scholarships at $750

**Zone 6 Application Two scholarships at $500

**Zone 7 Application Two scholarships at $500

**Zone 8 Application Two scholarships at $500

IAFE Institute of Fair Management Course Enrollee Scholarships: 

Bob Williams Application One scholarship at $500 Applicant must be an Institute enrollee, from Zone 4, and from a small fair (less than 50,000 in attendance).

Bob Williams Memorial Application One scholarship at $500 Applicant must  be an institute enrollee, from Zone 4

Cow Palace Scholarship Application One scholarship at $500. Applicant must be from Zone 8 and an enrollee in the Institute.
 
Errol McKoy Application Up to twenty scholarships of $500. Any Institute enrollee is eligible to apply. This will be the final year for the McKoy Scholarship. 

Kitchen Craft Application Twenty scholarships at $500. Any Institute enrollee is eligible to apply.

• For more information on YPI Zone Scholarships checkout: https://www.fairsandexpos.com/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?Site=IAFE&WebCode=YPIScholarships


• For more information on IAFE Scholarships checkout: https://www.fairsandexpos.com/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?Site=IAFE&WebCode=InstituteScholarships

** YPI Zone Scholarships 


Be A Rising Star!

One of the goals of the YPI was to create a “Rising Star Award” to recognize leadership and industry contributions of IAFE members, age 40 and younger. Nominate an outstanding young person leading the way in the IAFE. A Rising Star recipient will be honored at the IAFE Convention. Nominations are due by August 31, 2017. For more information visit: https://s3.amazonaws.com/iafe/website/documents/2017RisingStarAward.pdf

 

 

Mentor Spotlight

 

Nancy Smith, CFE
Assistant General Manager
South Caroline State Fair
Columbia, SC

• How long have you been in the fair industry? 35 + years
• What’s the best lesson you have learned in the industry / or the hardest? Always be a servant and remember it is a great opportunity to serve others in this industry. It's not about me, it's about those I serve.
• What’s your favorite fair food? Daley's Jalapeno Corn Dogs
• What do you feel is the biggest change / challenge you have faced? Keeping our industry relevant and telling the story of what fairs do and the positive difference they make in our communities and states. 
• What question would you ask a mentor? Why do you do what you do
• If you could give one piece of advice what would that be? We have a unique opportunity to make a positive difference in many people's lives. Don't waste it!
• What’s the one thing during the fair you can’t live without? Smiles, Sounds, Smells, Lights, and Excitement of our patrons as I walk the grounds.
• What’s your advice on handling failure? Look at failure as a road to a better future. Learn from such, take a deep breath and move on. 
• What’s your favorite quote? ʺJesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.ʺ
• Who is your role model / mentor? My now 100 1/2 year old mother, Mary Smith

 

 

 

YPI Spotlight

 

 

Michelle Johnson

Culinary  Program Coordinator   
California State Fair

Sacramento, CA

• How long have you been in the fair industry?  Since 2002
• What advice do you have for anyone new to the industry? Make it fun. Make it nice. Make it a place for people. Our job is great because we get to create fun for our guests! Another great thing about this business is that there are seasons. Every year you will be surprised with new challenges, each of which will teach you something to make the next year better. 
• What’s your favorite fair food? Every year I have to have one giant smoked turkey leg.  
• What does the YPI network mean to you? At large fair conventions, it is nice to have a landing pad with built-in networking opportunities outside of my own organization, especially with peer colleagues who I know may be part of my professional life for the duration.
• What's your favorite fair? Monterey County Fair. The fairgrounds have a very comfortable and gentle atmosphere. I love all of the grass and trees. And my kids LOVE the golf cart shuttle from the golf course parking to the fairgrounds!.  
• What is the best fair advice you've ever been given? ʺThe best thing you will get out of working at the fair are all of the relationships you make working with people on what they really care about.ʺ -Greg Kinder
• What’s your favorite fair memory?  The first year of our ʺIn the Rawʺ produce sampling program, Frank Ratto, of Ratto Bros. personally came to sample out this great kale salad. After the first couple of hours, I caught him in passing backstage as he was running to get more kale salad. He was all flushed and happy. He told me the guests were loving it, and that most of them had never even tried kale before! If educating guests about our state's agricultural products is the heart of what we do, then connecting people to the source of their food, especially a new and healthy one, is most fulfilling.
• What is one item you can't live without during the Fair? I wouldn't survive our 17-day fair without a comfortable pair of walking shoes!
• How did you get involved in the Fair industry? I sort of stumbled into being a Youth Program Assistant one summer by running into an old friend who worked at the California State Fair. After one season of working on competitive programs, I was hooked! I returned every summer from college to work on the fair. I eventually become the Youth Programs Coordinator, and now I am the very happy Culinary Programs Coordinator.

Announcements!

• Participate in the Igniter – IAFE Discussion Board! If you haven't already joined, now is the time to sign up for the IAFE's online member service. If you have questions or need help logging in, please contact the IAFE office at 800-516-0313. The board allows you to post questions/discussions, reply to topics, post document resources, look up contacts, and to network. This is an incredibly simple way for you to easily interact and communicate online and exchange ideas, experience, knowledge, and wisdom with your peers. Click here for instructions on how to use the board. Already signed up? Log in to participate and start a topic.
• 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.

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.