"I can handle reality in small doses, but as a lifestyle it’s much too confining." ~ Lily Tomlin
Fairs Year-round Information	F.Y.I. Volume 7, Issue 19 September 12, 1997

IN FOCUS

CARF’s 4th Annual Satellite Supervisors Symposium
is Monday & Tuesday, October 20 & 21 at Cal Expo

On Monday, October 20, popular speaker, business consultant, videographer and restaurateur T. Scott Gross will open the California Authority of Racing Fair’s 4th Annual Satellite Supervisors Symposium. Because Symposium organizers believe Gross’ insights on building long-term customer loyalty are applicable to all areas of the fair industry, everyone interested is invited to attend his highly-motivating presentation. You may have read Gross’ articles, "But Elephants Don’t Dance" and the "Seven Steps Toward a Positively Outrageous Service Culture" in the summer 1997 issue of Western Fairs Association’s Fair Dealer magazine. He’s also written two popular books, Positively Outrageous Service, and his latest, Leading your Positively Outrageous Service Team. Further details, such as exact location on the Cal Expo grounds and time, will be published in F.Y.I. as soon as they are finalized. In the meantime, if you have any questions, call Joan Bartosik at 916/663-9256.

According to an article in communications briefings, July 1997, you can improve the odds that people will agree with you if you move slower, and talk in a lower voice when you first meet them. The reasoning? They’ll feel more comfortable if you first let them “own the space” and be heard. To see how the experts do it, turn on the TV and watch the lead characters in "Matlock," "Colombo" and "Murder She Wrote." Source: Kare Anderson and Jean E. Schore, The Compelling Communication Group, San Francisco.

New theme areas, new discounts, new attractions and great weather combined to give the California State Fair a big boost this year. "All of our planning over the last year and the introduction of new attractions really paid off for everyone involved," said Norb Bartosik, State Fair CEO and general manager. Attendance was up 9.2 percent over last year’s numbers. And with only three exceptions, daily attendance figures showed consistent increases. The introduction of the Poppy Pak, a family discount package, was a huge success, with sales exceeding 10,000 families. The 48th annual Solano County Fair reports an all-time single day attendance record was broken this year when 24,005 visitors passed through the gates, representing a 10 percent increase over the record set in 1991. The California Mid-State Fair also reports a record-setting one day attendance of 32,229, with more than half the visitors attending the sold-out LeAnn Rimes and Alan Jackson concert.

Thirty-three fairs have reported in with their paid attendances; here’s how the numbers add up:

• 1997: 4,247,581 visitors
• 1996: 4,069,599 visitors
• Up: 177,982 visitors +4.37%

It’s vacation time for Graeme and Jackie Stewart, so the Surplus Warehouse will be closed September 15 through 30. It’ll be open for business as usual on Wednesday, October 1. During the Stewart’s absence, Karen Gallay will answer their phone (916/765-3673) and take any messages you’d like her to relay to the Stewart’s when they return to work. In this week’s mail you’ll find a copy of the Surplus Warehouse Wish List ~ giving you the opportunity to let Graeme know what items your fair needs. He’ll keep an eye out for these items on his weekly tours of state and military surplus yards, alerting you when he finds them. Once you’ve filled out your list, send it to: P.O. Box 144, Lodi, CA 95241 or fax it to 916/646-1238, Attn: Karen.

Here’s how this year’s handle adds up after 10 days of racing at the Humboldt County Fair, the sixth stop on the summer fair horse racing circuit:

• 1996 on-track: $30,927,888
• 1997 on-track: $30,109,019
• Down: -2.64%

• 1996 Northern California off-track: $80,708,834
• 1997 Northern California off-track: $81,341,955
• Up: +0.78%

• 1996 Network total: $111,636,724
• 1997 Network total: $111,450,978
• Down: -0.16%

HAVE A CONTRIBUTION FOR

FAIR EXCHANGE?

F.Y.I. invites and encourages all fairs to contribute articles and article ideas for the Fair Exchange column. We’ll even write the article for you. For details, call Melissa Thurber at 916/263-6178 or Joan Bartosik at 916/663-9256.
To add F.Y.I. to your press release mailing list, send or fax releases to:

1776 Tribute Road, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95815
Attn: Melissa Thurber
Fax: 916/646-1238
e-mail: mthurber@msn.com