"Go back and grow up. But I warn you," once you’ve grown up, you can never come back. Never!” ~ Peter Pan
Fairs Year-round Information	F.Y.I. Volume 10, Issue 2 February 25, 2000

IN FOCUS

WFA’s 77th Annual Convention and Trade Show was a Journey Back to the Future

Fair industry professionals journeyed back to the future at the Disneyland Hotel and Convention Center in Anaheim, with a power-packed program of speakers, round tables, networking opportunities, entertainment, and a trade show, at the Western Fairs Association’s 2000 Convention.

Over 25 sessions, including industry panels and featured speakers, were presented in a three day period. Topics included food safety and environmental quality, developing and implementing Internet strategies, the keys to sponsorship success, how to develop a working alliance between fairs and the arts, marketing in the Internet economy, and the keys to creating innovation and change for the new millennium.

The industry awards dinner and showcase paid tribute to industry leaders and lifetime contributors. The Western Washington Fair, Puyallup, received the Lou Merrill Award for outstanding achievement and visionary accomplishment. They were chosen for the way in which they handled the E. coli outbreak that struck during their 1998 fair.

Ray Cammack Shows was honored with the Barham Award for innovation and high standards. In recognition of long term commitment to the fair industry, WFA’s Hall of Fame honor went to Jack Scott, retiring Professor from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and Denny Thompson, owner of Thompson Concessions and part-time field representative for WFA.

Carol Fielding, retiring owner of the Flag Center, became a member of the Presidents’ Circle, an award that recognizes significant and continued contributions to the annual convention. Attendance for the convention and trade show totalled over 1600, including a first time outreach to allied organizations such as the Showmens’ Association, Outdoor Amusement Business, Festivals Association, and Arts Organizations. The convention concluded with the President’s breakfast. Incoming President, Bob Carlson, CEO of the Western Washington Fair, shared his vision of the new year and century.

Next up for WFA is their Leadership Conference, April 3-6,2000.

WFA Leadership Conference April 3-6, in Santa Barbara, California. Information and registration materials have been sent to all fairs. If you haven’t received your packet or need more information, call Laura Trout at 916/927-3100.

Take Advantage of the Mity-Lite Table Volume Discount

The year 2000 Mity-Lite Table order will be placed the week of March 20, 2000. By grouping fair orders, large and small, into one volume order, the tables will be made available to CFSA at a discount price. The larger the order, the lower the price. The plastic-topped tables are durable, lightweight, and ideal for a variety of uses during fairtime and interim events. The tables now have a new 12 year warranty. Call Karen Gallay at 916/263-6191 for information or to place an order.

Oil Costs Are on the Rise

Karen Gallay, CFSA’s purchasing agent, wants to give everyone a heads up on the rising cost of oil. Not only will the increased costs be apparent at the gas pump, but it will also affect prices of other products used by fairs. Trash can liners, paint, jacketed wire, PVC, cleaners, toner, inks, plastic products, and other materials made with oil, as well as freight costs, will reflect the increased costs.

An article in the January 3, 2000 issue of Business Insurance listed four of The Civil Justice Association of California’s nominations for the most outrageous lawsuits of the 1990s. And the nominees are . . . A bank robber who sought $2 million from the City of Oakland, its police department, and a bank after a bag of marked bills with a timed-delay tear gas device erupted in his pants, burning him. Disneyland was hit with a lawsuit for the emotional distress suffered by several children who observed some of the park’s Disney characters taking off their costumes and discovered that they were, in fact, make-believe. A failing law student sued a college of law for not adequately warning her that students with admission scores like hers have a minimal chance of becoming attorneys. A man sued the City of San Diego and its baseball stadium’s beer vendors for the emotional distress he suffered when women, opting for a shorter wait, used the men’s room at the stadium during an Elton John concert. Apparently, it was the beer seller’s fault that he repeatedly had to use the men’s room. For a complete list of the CJAC nominations, access the Internet at www.cjac.org, or call Donna Allen at 916/263-6158 for a copy of their press release.

Let's Go To The Fair

The numbers are in, and here’s how 1999s final paid attendance figures compare to 1998.
Five out of a total seventy-seven fairs reporting in had free gates.

• 1999: 7,713,626 visitors
• 1998: 7,455,511 visitors
• Up: +3.46%

F.Y.I. thanks all the fairs who’ve returned their total paid attendance faxes along with attendance-influencing fair highlights. If your fair is completed, and you haven’t yet faxed or mailed in your report sheet, please do so as soon as possible. Don’t have a report sheet? Please call Donna Allen at 916/263-6158.

On February 7, 2000, the Board of Directors for The Big Fresno Fair appointed Scott Anderson Chief Executive Officer. Anderson, who has been the interim CEO since November, has been an employee of the fair since 1995, and most recently held the position of Chief Operating Officer.

Board President Walter “Fritz” Lauritzen expressed confidence in their choice. “We chose the best qualified candidate. Scott’s experience and vision for the Fair is what made the difference.” For more information, please contact Kristi R. Brangle at 559/650-3229.

BIO

QUIZ

Who Am I?
Question: What former fair manager was a regular on a children’s television show?
Bonus Question: What character did he portray?
Along with the regulars from Mariposa and Merced, Phyllis from Tulare, Judy Fatland with the Viking Agency, and Charlie Cook from Cooks Racing Pigs all called or faxed in last month’s correct answer. Thank you.
If you would like to submit a BioQuiz question, please call Donna Allen at 916/263-6158.

Last month’s answer: Scott Sample, manager of the Madera District Fair, better known as “Captain Scotty.”