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.
