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Serving Iowa Fairs Since 1907

www.iowafairs.com

2019 CONFERENCE

& ANNUAL MEETING DECEMBER 13 - 15, 2019

AIRPORT HOLIDAY INN CONFERENCE CENTER 6111 FLEUR DRIVE, DES MOINES, IOWA

Conference Registration – Des Moines Room

FRIDAY: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

SATURDAY: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

SUNDAY: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Updated December 5, 2019

2019 “BLUE RIBBON FAIR” AWARDS

Blue Ribbon Fair displays located in Iowa Foyer

Northwest District Pocahontas County Fair Pocahontas

North Central District Hancock County Fair Britt

Northeast District Allamakee Big Four Fair Postville

Southwest District Cass County Fair Atlantic

South Central District Wayne County Fair Corydon

Southeast District Clinton County Fair De Witt

Posting Conference photos or comments to Social Media? Include #iowafairs in your posts.

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FRIDAY - DECEMBER 13

10:00 a.m. - Iowa A

Association’s Opening Business Meeting Association President Mark Drost will preside. Introductions, appointment of committees, and related business.

10:30 a.m. - Iowa A

What’s On Your Mind? AIF Host: Jo Reynolds

This is a very popular workshop where topics come from those attending, involving discussion on the many aspects of the fair industry.

11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Associate Member Rooms/Courtyard Tables are open for business.

Note: Associate members may be available for business outside of the hours posted.

12:30 p.m. – Westview Room

Conference Newcomer AIF Host: Joe Yedlik

First time attending the AIF Conference? This session will guide you through the ‘ins and outs’ of the Conference.

1:30 p.m. Workshops

Iowa A

“Great Food on a Stick Starts with Healthy Animals”

AIF Host: Steve Voss

Presenter: Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle DVM, MPH, PhD, DACVPM

Associate Director for the Center for

Food Security and Public Health

Dr. Bickett-Weddle will review some practical disease prevention practices that can be put in place to minimize disease risk and maximize attendees positive experience seeing where their “food on a stick” comes from.

Iowa B/C

Fair Vendors Enhance Your Fair &

Attract More Fairgoers AIF Host: Jon Baltes

Fair vendors are important to any Fair. Whether food or non-food, they offer an opportunity to not only attract more fairgoers but bring much needed revenue to a Fair. This workshop will feature open discussion on how Fairs handle vendors, from contracts, fees, how vendors are placed on your grounds to attracting new vendors. Interaction by attendees is encouraged.

Iowa D/E

Beer Concession Basics

AIF Host: Danny Olson

An open discussion on operating a

beer/liquor concession, either during your

Fair or at off-season events. Areas of

discussion could include licensing and

licensing requirements, ID checks, product

pricing, promotions, concession setup and

help, as well as other items as brought

forward for discussion.

Attendee participation encouraged.

3:00 p.m. - AIF District Meetings Workshops to consist of AIF & District procedures, and general items as presented to the session.

NW District, Iowa B; NC District, Iowa C; NE District, Iowa D

SW District, Iowa E; SC District, Westview North; SE District, Westview Central

4:00 p.m. - Des Moines Room

AIF Committee Meetings Audit, Credentials, Elections, Resolutions and State Funding Committees meet

4:00 p.m. – Room 397

IAFE’s Young Professionals Initiative (YPI) Social & Networking Hosts: Jenn Dunn CVFM, Linn County Fair and Kurt Palmer, Delaware County Fair

Stop in and enjoy networking with your fellow colleagues... The IAFE's Young Professional's Initiative (YPI) is comprised of dozens of under 40-year-old fair industry leaders who are passionate about the progression and growth of fairs for the future. 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.

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Friday continued …

6:00 p.m. – Iowa Hall

Awards Banquet Honoring “Fairman of the Year”, Showman of the Year”, “Blue Ribbon Fairs”, Hall of Fame Inductees and Scholarship Winners.

(Ticket is required – must be purchased prior to Conference).

8:30 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. - Ballroom

Entertainment Showcasing - Showcasing Details on Page 8

SATURDAY - DECEMBER 14

7:00 a.m. – Room 397

Joint Board Meeting - Association Board and Iowa State Fair Board

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Associate Member Rooms/Courtyard Tables are open for business. Note: Associate members may be available for business outside of the hours posted.

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Items on silent auction will be displayed in

Iowa Foyer Area.

Silent Auction results announced just prior to Live Auction at 6:30 p.m.

8:30 a.m. - Iowa A -- Keynote Address

“Me, We and Glee” How to have a great attitude, work as a team,

and keep your sense of humor.

The title pretty much describes Nick’s keynote address. It encompasses maintaining a positive outlook during

these changing and stressful times, defining teamwork and enhancing humor both at work and at home.

Nick Arnette has written a book with the same title that goes along with this presentation.

Meeting Rooms Available to Fair Boards Rooms 298 and 398 are available for Fair Boards to use as a meeting location to

discuss proposed entertainment, workshop ideas or any other business. Not required to reserve a time to use a room. Be courteous of others using the rooms.

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Saturday continued …

11:15 a.m. - Iowa A

Box Lunch Served Ticket required. Lunch may be taken to other areas of the Conference Center… Showcasing, Courtyard, etc.

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Ballroom

Entertainment Showcasing - Showcasing Details on Page 8

10:00 a.m. Workshops

Iowa A

Livestock Updates Youth Shows, Check-in/Weigh-in Procedures, & State of Iowa Livestock Show Regulations

AIF Host: Kerry Scheidegger

Presenters: Dr. Jeff Kaisand, State Veterinarian

Amy Powell & Mike Anderson

ISU Extension Youth Livestock Specialists

Among discussion points will be State of Iowa regulations,

public health issues and concerns, proper animal presentations,

trends in livestock production, responsibilities of a county fair and

ethical practices by exhibitors and families.

Input from attendees is welcomed and encouraged.

Westview Room

Secretary/Managers’ Workshop

AIF Host: Tricia Rosendahl

This workshop will focus on the responsibilities of those persons

serving as the secretary and/or manager of their county fair. Both

volunteer and paid secretary/managers are welcome.

Topics of discussion include board and committee meeting

minutes, board correspondence, assisting board treasurer, meeting

agendas, agent of the board and other areas of responsibility.

Audience participation is encouraged.

Iowa B/C

Livestock Buildings AIF Host: Randy Beckman

Is your Fair planning on building a new livestock building, or

renovating an existing building? This is a workshop that will help

your Fair Board make some sound decisions.

Discussion will focus on all types of livestock buildings, including

but not limited to construction methods, pens, building layouts and

fairgoer safety. Workshop attendees are requested to share their

own Fair’s experiences in building new or renovating their own

livestock buildings.

Iowa D/E

Creating a VIP Experience AIF Host: Rick Palmer

Need some ideas on how to add new excitement to your Fair? Creating a VIP Experience might just be what your Fair needs. VIP packages not only bring more people to your Fair but can also increase your Fair’s bottom line.

But how does your Fair jump into offering VIP packages? This workshop will delve into the how’s, why’s and who’s of offering your own VIP Experience. Areas included in VIP packages involve special parking, admission, food and beverage enhancements, reserved seating and more.

Associate Member Business Meetings

8:00 a.m. - Ballroom Central - Associate Members Breakfast & Business Meeting (Ticket required to eat breakfast – must be purchased prior to Conference)

10:00 a.m. - Meeting Room 292 - Carnival Owners Meeting

10:00 a.m. - Meeting Room 396 - Iowa Foundation for Agriculture Advancement Meeting

10:00 a.m. - Meeting Room 398 - Iowa Horse Racing Assn. Business Meeting

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Saturday continued …

6:00 p.m. - Iowa Hall

Social A’ Fair & Auction

Meal to be served from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Auction starts at 6:45 p.m. Ticket required to eat at Social. All AIF members encouraged to participate in the Auction.

8:30 p.m. – Room 397

President’s Reception Hosted by AIF Board President Mark Drost and the Marion County Fair Board

1:30 p.m. Workshops Iowa A

Marketing Your Way To Success Rise Above Your Competition

AIF Host: Tricia Rosendahl

Presenter: Sara Broers

Consumers have more choices than ever before when it comes to events in the travel and tourism industry. Sara will show attendees how they can stay in front of their competition. She will give them examples of non-traditional, effective networking and marketing that does have proven results. Attendees will walk away with new knowledge and ideas that they can implement within hours.

Iowa D/E

Beyond Basic Rain Insurance … What You Should Know

AIF Host: Jim Sloan

Presenter: Robert Holmes Spectrum Weather Insurance, Liberty MO

There is more to ‘rain insurance’ for special events than what the name implies. Bob will review the options and opportunities of special event insurance.

Iowa B/C

RFID Tags Electronic Identification for Iowa Livestock Exhibitions

AIF Host: Steve Voss

Presenters: Brianna Christensen, Hampton Dumont FFA Joel Stave, CEO of Prairie Systems, Spencer

New technology is being developed to help fairs & exhibitions better track their livestock entries. RFID, or Radio Frequency ID, will be discussed in the workshop. Already tested and used, this is a good way to keep track of your livestock entries at your fair.

Westview Room

What IAFE Can Do For Your Fair Jo Reynolds CFE, IAFE Zone 5 Director

Joe Yedlik CVFM, IAFE Educator

Jeremy Parsons CFE, Clay County Fair

What is IAFE (International Association of Fairs & Expos)? How can it help YOUR Fair?

What benefits are there in membership with IAFE? All good questions and points of discussion in this workshop.

3:00 p.m. Workshops

Iowa A

Presenters …

Jenn Cannon Iowa State Fair

Joyce Hoppes, Iowa Pork Producers

Claire Masker-King, National Pork Board

Chelsey Van Genderen, US Pork Center John Kliegl, Special Olympics Iowa

AIF Host: Randy Beckman Bacon Buddies celebrates the collaboration of Iowans with special needs and 4-H/FFA members, using your county fair’s swine show as the medium. Participants can try something new and experience something that they might not have been comfortable doing on their own. And the 4-H/FFA mentors have the opportunity to learn more about respect, compassion and leadership by sharing an activity they love with the participants. This workshop will share the basics of Bacon Buddies and how this partnership can be incorporated into your county fair’s show schedule.

Iowa B/C

Board Governance AIF Host: Joe Yedlik

Presenters …

Joe Yedlik, AIF Board Jeremy Parsons, Clay County Fair

Joe & Jeremy will share the ‘best practices’

of a fair board. Also discussed will be typical

policies and procedures that a fair board

should have in place. This will be not only be a

good ‘refresher’ session for veteran board

members, but also a very good session for

newcomers to fair boards.

Iowa D/E

Off Season Revenue Opportunities AIF Host: Mary Bolton

This workshop will focus on renting

buildings on a fairgrounds for off-

season events, such as wedding

receptions, community events,

auctions, storage and other similar

opportunities. Discussion will include

rental fees, contracts and agreements

and other logistics of the rentals.

Workshop discussion will be offered

by audience participation.

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SUNDAY - DECEMBER 15

7:30 a.m. - Iowa B/C

All-Faiths Worship Service Open to persons of all faiths. Service in memory of deceased Fair Board members.

Leroy Perkins, Wayne County, Minister

8:15 a.m. - Iowa A

Fairman’s Breakfast Ticket required - AIF Host: Kerry Scheidegger

9:15 a.m. - Iowa A

Loos Tales is dedicated to exploring the interesting people and places of Rural America. It is the creation of Trent Loos, a sixth generation United States farmer with a passion for the rural lifestyle. Loos records, produces and sends his radio programs from wherever his travels take

him using his laptop computer and the internet. He presently has a radio listening audience of 4 million and can be heard on more than 100 stations across the country. Trent's radio programming includes daily Loos Tales and Rural Route

programming as well as Dakota Trails & Tales, Colorado Trails & Tales, Loos Trails & Tales and Illinois Truth be Told.

10:30 a.m. - Iowa A Association of Iowa Fairs Annual Meeting & State Agricultural Society Annual Meeting

Mark Drost, AIF President, presiding Dave Hoffman, Iowa State Fair President, presiding

Attendance is required at both annual meetings.

— End of 2019 AIF Conference & Annual Meeting —

Future Dates of the AIF Conference & Annual Meeting

December 11 to 13, 2020; December 10 to 12, 2021; December 9 to 11, 2022

Thank You Thank You Thank You --- To the following Conference Sponsors ---

Action Theater/Impact Pro Wrestling - All American Lumberjack Shows

Campbell’s Concessions - Evans United Shows – G.L. Berg & Associates

Iowa Communities Assurance Pool (ICAP) – Iowa Monster Arm Wrestling

Luehrs’ Ideal Rides - Prairie Event Supply – The Best Around Concessions

Scott Amusements - Variety Attractions — Westmoreland Concessions

All Persons attending Conference must register.

2019 Conference badges required for admission to all functions.

Cell phones are to be set to ‘silence mode’ or turned off during sessions and events.

‘Resource Tables’ located in Iowa Foyer Fairs are asked to share premium books, posters, advertising et al.

Space also available for buy-sell-trade notices.

by Trent Loos

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2019 Conference Guest Speakers

Nick Arnette

The “Feel Good Funny Guy” Nick Arnette has been entertaining audiences with his clean and clever comedy for over 20 years. He has worked with such comedy greats as Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld and Tim Allen. Nick has performed for hundreds of groups including AT&T, Unilever, Microsoft, Adobe, Motorola, and has performed in all the top comedy clubs, such as the Improv, Catch a Rising Star and the Comedy Store. His TV appearances include A&E, Comedy Central and HBO. Nick also has a background that includes sales, the hospitality industry, education, and award-winning work in mortgage banking. Nick’s comic style is light-hearted and friendly and appeals to young and old alike. He has a deep faith in Christ and completed the Calvary Chapel School of Ministry program, in Encino, CA. Nick is the author of The Book of Dude, and Me, We and Glee. He’s also a major contributor to Comedy Comes Clean and Comedy Comes Clean II. He grew up with four sisters and no brothers. It’s no wonder he’s a comedian!

Trent Loos

Humorist & Storyteller on Rural America

Trent was raised on a diversified farm near Quincy, IL. He

entered the hog

business at a young age

and has been involved

in livestock production

ever since. He and his

wife Kelli operate a

purebred Limousin and

Angus herd. They enjoy

working cattle, training

horses and raising their

three daughters on

their ranch in central

Nebraska. Trent travels

the country motivating

and educating his

audience on issues related to animal agriculture and food

production. His audiences vary in age, background, mission

and profession, but they all come away enthused about

bridging the gap between food producers and consumers.

When addressing youth groups, Trent emphasizes the

importance and pride associated with being involved in U.S.

food production in the future. Saturday – 8:30 a.m. Sunday – 9:15 a.m.

Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle DVM, MPH, PhD, DACVPM

Dr. Bickett-Weddle received a BS degree in Animal Science from South Dakota State University in 1995 and her DVM from Iowa State University in 1999. She received her MPH from the University of Iowa in December 2003, Diplomate status in the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine in 2006, and a PhD in Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine in 2009. Since 2004, she has been the Associate Director for the Center for Food Security and Public Health. She has teaching responsibilities in the College of Veterinary Medicine at ISU as well as the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa. She has been invited to give presentations throughout the U.S. and Mexico about disease prevention, agro terrorism, and biological risk management issues. The Iowa Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) recognized Dr. Bickett-Weddle as the 2012 Veterinarian of the Year.

Sara Broers Social Media Guru, Avid Traveler, Blogger and

Auctioneer

Sara Broers is a social media enthusiast that resides in North Central Iowa. She is the CEO of Travel With Sara, the Co-Owner of the Midwest Travel Network, Co-Owner of Home-Grown Social Media, CEO of Social Connections, LLC, and a benefit fundraising auctioneer. Sara received the 2019 Individual Leadership Award through the IEDA- Travel Iowa. Sara prides herself on the ability to help people make connections that matter. She hopped on Twitter in 2008 and has never looked back, only forward when it comes to navigating the online space. Sara has helped hundreds of people with new marketing plans across the country and she has enjoyed sharing in their success stories.

Friday – 1:30 p.m. Saturday – 1:30 p.m.

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