Carnival & Fair News

New Mission Statement, Strategic Plan, and Executive Director, the annual convention of the Florida Federation of Fairs focused on the future. With some of the largest fairs in North America, Florida fairs bookend the fair season with iconic late-Fall and early-Winter events – add to that a thriving agricultural industry as well as headquarters for most of the major and many of the minor carnival companies – this year's annual FFF convention – the association's 74th – was a turning point watched by entire fair industry.

The 41-member association attracted more than 650 attendees to its 3-day, Mid-May event, with 65 percent of attendees being fair professionals and 35 percent associate members and other industry professionals. The theme of the convention, “FAIRS GROW,” selected by Fran Crone, FFF president and fair manager of the Southwest Florida-Lee County Fair  and Convention Program Chairman and Federation Vice-President Rita De Mier-Lincoln, (South Florida Fair) along with Committee Chairmen, Board members and Zone 2 Fairs. “who worked tirelessly to create a convention that was as informative and engaging as it was memorable,” said Jay Spicer, the new Executive Director of the association, replacing Dan West, who was elected Mayor of the city of Palmetto last year. Spicer is the Executive Director of the Martin County Fair. “Fran wanted to remind us that like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one.” 

New Growth 

The theme hit the winning note, highlighting the new direction of the association, boosting attendance and inspiring the state's fair industry. “It was probably one of the best conventions we've had in years,” said Spicer. “Highlights include more member recognition and promotion, more open communication, adding virtual education sessions, increased social media engagement, expanded professional development, promoting community inclusivity, promoting agricultural education and traditions, and building political support for our industry.”

He added there was “More participation in our sessions. We plan to increase our attendance at conventions going forward, as well as get more participation from IAFE Zone 2 Fairs.” Meeting highlights also included talks by the new IAFE CEO, David Grindle and  Ken Karns, Chief Operating Officer of the OC Fair and Event Center, new IAFE chairman.  

The Floridian Fair conclave featured 45+ sessions, educational program tracks, new awards and an array of receptions, events and networking opportunities.  Associate of the Year Award Reception, and the first ever Volunteer of the Year recognition were some of the new and improved offerings at the convention this year. “This year's convention was met with pleasant surprises and high energy,” said Spicer. “The program included 15 new changes to prior conventions.” 

Educational programming was diverse, relevance and wide-ranging. According to Spicer, top educational sessions included: ‘Smart Strategies for Tight Budgets; Agricultural Programming; Communication Expectations Between Entertainers and the Fair; Can Your Fair Create a Positive Business Culture With Your Partners; and AI in the Fair Industry. “The more popular sessions in the educational side were Entertainment and Livestock,” said Spicer.

Bird Flu Threats

Livestock is under threat by the spread of H5N1 – Bird Flu – which has been detected in not just poultry, but dairy cattle and other livestock – a situation that Florida Fair Mangers are closely watching. “Bird Flu is certainly a real threat,” he said. “Many fairs opted to not have any dairy cattle on site this year due to the threat.  Fairs are always sensitive to the conditions, the children and the work they put in raising these animals and balancing the risk to all. Fairs are actively employing enhanced biosecurity measures.” 

The trade show showcased 131 booths, aa real boom in participation. “We're the largest Fair Trade Show on the East Coast,” claimed Spicer. “ We are limited only by the ballroom space.  If we had more, we would fill it. This year brought 22 new trade show exhibitors.  They were happy to be there and many secured work as a result.”

Unlike fair conventions in New York, Michigan and elsewhere, where the dearth of carnival companies is causing concern and consternation, Florida's robust fair sector is seeing a carnival company boom. “There were several new carnival companies in the trade show, looking to fill their winter route and service some of our smaller fairs.”

Spicer noted that the entertainment showcases were stronger than previous conventions and included “country recording artist Chad Brock (promoting his new album), and country newcomer Coffey Anderson who stopped in before heading to play the Grand Ole Opry.”  

Mission Statement

Perhaps most prominent were the approvals of the new mission statement and new strategic plan. Of the former, the new statement clarifies the essentials of the Floridian fair industry: “We are the premier advocate and support network for fairs in Florida through advocacy, education, and collaboration ensuring growth and sustainability for future generations.  We have developed a set of core values driven by Membership Support, Member Engagement, Advocacy & Influence, Education, Community, Integrity, Tradition, and Innovation.”

The strategic plan is just as forthright, extending and applying the ethos of the mission statement. Spicer, who will be “driving the initiative” said of the new plan: “Highlights include more member recognition and promotion, more open communication, adding virtual education sessions, increased social media engagement, expanded professional development, promoting community inclusivity, promoting agricultural education and traditions, and building political support for our industry.”

Spicer noted that the optimism among the attendees was high, with most Florida fairs experiencing robust attendance, free spending and happy fairgoers. “[Fair] turnout was better than previous [conventions].  More energy, more excitement, more things to do.”

 Top of mind among convention attendees was the economic outlook. Inflation is the leading worry. The litany of increased cost of nearly all budgetary line items is nearly unnerving. “Inflation's impact is felt mostly on the fair's expenses.  Equipment rental fees, trash removal, National Act entertainment costs, fuel costs, food costs, all contribute to lower profit margins,” said Spicer. “The cost to produce our events is increasingly more expensive, and eating into the bottom line.  Trying to determine costs to the customers, creating value, and still making a profit is getting more difficult.”

But rising costs are not just affecting fair operations. Spicer said, “Families are cost-conscious, so fairs must prove their value more than ever.”

Conventioneers also much discussed agricultural declines in the citrus state. This “Loss of agricultural lands,” Spicer pointed out as a major factor going forward for the FFF members, most of whom are agricultural events. “Too much development is taking farmland. A fair's main purpose is to educate people about agriculture and we need families to thrive in agricultural environments, continue to work the land.”

On the legislative front, the status quo seems sustained. “We do have a lobbyist in Tallahassee,” said Spicer. “He constantly keeps an ear out for any issues contrary to our cause. Financial support from the state seems solid.  We only had 14 fairs apply for grants this year and hopefully they will all be funded. At this moment in time [early June], it appears all 14 Fair Facility grant applications have been approved, but not yet signed into the budget by the Governor.”

All in all, his freshmen year in the captain's seat of one of the most crucial fair associations of any state, was a success. “People left invigorated, ready to take what they learned home to start planning their next fair programs”

With a leadership change, new mission statement and initiative, the FFF has been strengthened by a membership committed to their communities and the state's farming industry, one of the largest in the U.S. “Fairs are a tradition, one of the last slices of Americana left in this country,” Spicer declared. “Fairs are built to serve and celebrate their communities. For some, fairs are the closest children will get to see goats, cows, and other farm animals up close and personal. Parents can learn about the foods they provide their families and teach everyone about “where their food comes from.”