Session Slides

Business Planning as a Tool to Weather Economic Conditions

Becky Bailey-Findley, Executive Director, CFSA; Gary Findley, Gary Steven Findley & Associates

A business plan is essential to every organization. It's a process that provides an opportunity to get everyone pointed in the same direction, each with a clear idea of their role & the focused priorities of the business. Business planning is essential for fairs as well as Service Members. This session addresses best practices for fairs, vendors, concessionaires & other fair-related businesses to develop business related plans that emphasize key factors for success. It's time to stop chronic business firefighting & apply the disciplined thinking required to analyze business conditions & strategically plan business development for immediate operations & for long-term growth & development of the business.

Business Planning Slides

Animals at Fairs: Protecting Our Fairs from Extremism

Sarah Conley, Animal Welfare Committee Chair, Circus Fans of America; Mike Bradley, CEO, California Mid-State Fair

With animal rights organizations impeding our events, what does the future of animals at the fair look like? Learn what’s been attacked, the methods of pressure used by activists, and how to respond as we look at what’s worked at fairs across the country.

Animals at Fairs Slides

Animals at Fairs Handout

Crisis Communication & Planning: How to be Ready When Bad Things Happen

Felisa Cardona, Deputy Public Information Officer, County of San Bernardino; Terry Moore, Communications Director, OC Fair & Event Center; Jennifer Hellman, Marketing Director, San Diego County Fair

Hear lessons learned from the San Bernardino County shooting from featured speaker Felisa Cardona, Deputy Public Information Officer for San Bernardino County. This panel will also provide practical advice on creating crisis communication plans and tips on dealing with the media, the public, and employees during emergencies.

Crisis Communications Considerations

10 Social Media Lessons Learned from the Ohio State Fair Ride Incident

Fairs: There's an App for That

Affordable and easy-to-use, fair apps allow greater connection with your attendees than ever before. See a full app-building demonstration and receive all of the tools you’ll need to land your fair on guests’ home screens.

Fair Apps Reference Sheet

Making Attractions out of Mole Hills

John Steffanic, CEO, Plumas-Sierra County Fair

When your entertainment budget drops to $23,000, how creative can you get? Plumas Sierra County Fair Manager John Steffanic takes the "entertain ourselves" concept to a whole new level. He will share his "every 50 feet"guideline and how he keeps visitors entertained for peanuts. Learn how signage, imaginary attractions, humor and everyday activities make fairgoers feel like they are in a very special place.

Making Attractions Out of Mole Hills Slides

Youth Quality Assurance Training

Cara White & Paul Kuber, YQCA

The fair industry has established & continues to revise consistent, statewide standards of livestock welfare & management practices for the junior livestock program. These standards assure livestock product quality, food safety, proper bio-security measures & livestock competition that is educational, fair & ethical. Communication & coordination among the fair industry, livestock industry, youth educators & regulatory bodies will help to accomplish these objectives. The Youth for Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) Program is designed to be your reliable, go-to solution for youth quality assurance training & certification requirements.

YQCA Slides

YQCA Handout

Instabrags vs. Videosnaps: How & When to Use Both

Cassie Roberts Dispenza, Sr. Partnership & Marketing Director, Saffire

Social Networks, especially Instagram & Snapchat have taken a turn for the similar - it seems like everything you can do on one you can do on the other. So when should you use Instagram and when should you use Snapchat? What are the differentiators that make it worth having both or should you just pick one? Join us to answer these questions and strategize on how to most efficiently put these Millennial and Generation Z-focused apps to work for you!

Instabrags vs Videosnaps Slides

San Diego County Fair Theme Program

Hear from the 2017 Class 4 Theme Program Achievement Award-winning San Diego County Fair.

San Diego County Fair 2017 Theme Program Slides

Cannabis 101

John Quiroz, Fairs & Expositions Branch Chief, California Department of Food & Agriculture; Sonya Logman, Deputy Secretary, Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency

With the release of the State’s new temporary regulations guiding the commercial cannabis industry, there’s quite a bit to digest! Learn about the basics of legal cannabis consumption in California, legal requirements for cannabis events and steps your Fair should take to be prepared. From suggested Board policies to how to look up an event organizer license, we’ll cover the nuts and bolts of what you need to know going into 2018.

Cannabis 101 Slides

Guest Mindset: Presenting & Providing a Safe Environment for Families

Nick Buffa, Director - Security & Traffic Operations, OC Fair & Event Center

How do you offer reassurance to families that you are hosting a safe event? This session will provide visual and procedural aspects to help build safety confidence in your guests including insight on: Lost children reunification process & procedure; Safety/Security signage & presentation; Pre-employment screening; Event footprint design; and Deterrent vs. Reaction.

Guest Mindset Slides

Foundation Fundraising

Matt Cranford, CEO, Stanislaus County Fair; Michael Bradley, CEO, California Mid-State Fair; David Belmont, President, California Heritage Foundation for California Mid-State Fair

Set your foundation up for success with these fundraising ideas, canvassing annual events/campaigns, continual giving programs, and one-off ideas/events.

Foundation Fundraising Slides

Managing Change

Luis Valdivia, Multicultural Marketing Specialist,
San Diego County Fair

Even if you’re a change champion, how do you sell it to your staff and community? Uncover the reasons for resistance to change, how to promote change, and even how to make change a positive event!

Managing Change Slides

Fair Directors - Roles & Responsibilities

Tammy Dennee, Director, Polk County Fair

Fair directors are the cornerstone of the fair sector and in many cases, the board predates professional management. Fair directors have broad responsibility which can conflict with the professional staff, or complicate their roles. This session will examine best practices and provide take home examples of solutions that work!

Board Training Slides