1. art and entertainment
2. shows and events
3. fair

Wisconsin Association of Fairs
C O N V E N T I O N
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:
President’s Message
2
2015 Convention
Fair Day
WI DATCP Reports
State Board Election
3
The Wisconsin Association of Fairs Annual Convention will take place at the Chula
Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells January 4-7, 2015. The convention will officially kick-off
on Monday, and conclude with the Awards Banquet and Fairest of the Fairs Finale on
Wednesday. Our convention theme this year is “Join the WI Tailgate Party”.
WLIC Workshop
Trade Show
Evening Receptions
Fairest Fairwell
4
Fairest Contestants
5
Silent Auction
6
Veggie Races
6
Associate Signage
Convention Schedule
7-11
Fair Trade Table
11
Education Raffle
Banquet Format
Calendar
12
Beginning on Sunday, there will be a few pre-convention activities. Many committee
meetings will take place in the afternoon and convention registration will be open. The
Fairest of the Fairs program will also kick-off Sunday morning. “Meet the Contestants”
will take place Sunday afternoon. “Carnival Night” hosted by our Associate members in
the Carnival industry will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday and will include games,
food and drinks. Many thanks to Chuck and Lynn Waterman from Calkins Midways for
coordinating this event.
On Monday, we are asking that all fairs in attendance, create a Veggie Car to race at the
opening session at 10:00 a.m. We know all of you have that competitive spirit in you, so
let’s see how creative your fairs can be. The details on building a Veggie Car and the
new categories to participate in have been e-mailed to each fair secretary. Be sure to
wear your tailgating attire, think Packer, Brewer, Badger and Bucks. Just remember, it is
a little warmer inside Chula Vista then most of the times we are tailgating in Wisconsin.
Come dressed in tailgating attire for Monday and cheer on your fair.
Once we’ve crowned the Veggie Fair Winners, Gary Berg, will be presenting “Seeing
Straight in a Cross-Eyed World” which examines how sight, sound, words, past experiences, and even laughter and music can all play major factors in how well we communicate with each other. This basic understanding helps people be more patient and accepting of other people’s viewpoints and ideas, and helps groups work together more effectively.
If you haven’t already made your reservations for the upcoming convention, you can contact the Chula Vista Resort directly by e-mailing Robin Dunham at
robind@chulavistaresort.com or calling 608-254-1620. Associate members, when you
reserve a condo, please let them know you are an Associate for the fair convention and
you are in need of a hospitality room. They’ll get you in the right area. There are no
restrictions as to the number of rooms you can reserve. If your fair requires payment by
check instead of credit card, please inform the reservation staff prior to making your
reservations and they can assist you in your request.
2 0 1 5
President’s Message
Hello Fair Family,
As the end of 2014 is rapidly approaching, we find ourselves entering into the busy and festive season of
the holidays and fair conventions. Combine that with old man winter picking up right where he left off last
year and its hold on to your hats, it’s going to be a great ride.
Kicking off the convention season the second week in December, is the IAFE National Convention in Las
Vegas. Wisconsin is always well represented there. I know we have several very deserving fairs and individuals nominated for awards. Good luck to all, enjoy the warm weather and ‘On Wisconsin’! The second
week in January is our state convention in the Dells. This is the one that the majority of us look forward
to. Four days full of fun, fellowship, education, entertainment and networking opportunities that can’t be
matched anywhere else. Your state board has worked hard to put together the program with the topics
most beneficial to our fairs. If you have an idea for a workshop or round table, just contact any one of
your board members. I attended my first convention 20+ years ago in Milwaukee and I haven’t missed one
since and I can honestly say that I learned something new at every one. If you can’t join us for the entire
convention then join us for a day or two. It’s well worth your time.
As I reflect back on 2014, I must say it has been an interesting and challenging, but very rewarding, year. I
have learned a lot about our State Association and the people that belong to it. I am very honored to be
in this position and look forward to working with all of you in the future.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a most blessed holiday season.
Good wishes, good health, great family and great friends. God Bless.
See you in January, Dale Christiansen
Fair Day at the Capitol
Save Wednesday, March 18, 2015 for Fair Day at the Capitol. This is an opportunity for fair board
members, fair supporters and fair participants to get together and meet with our Legislators on one
specific day and have a larger impact with the number of people attending.
As in the past, we will meet at 11:00 a.m. for lunch and then travel to the Capitol for meetings with
our Legislator’s beginning at 1:15 p.m. During lunch, Jolene will update us on the lastest support we
have from our Legislators, provide handouts to give to your Legislators, and where to meet her after
you’ve met with your Legislators to give an update on how your meetings went.
More details to follow after convention, but please save this important date!
WI DATCP Reports
Just a reminder, your year-end reports are
due by January 31st, 2015 if you haven’t already sent them in. Please contact Bob Williams if you have any questions about these
reports as well. Thanks for your promptness
in getting these reports submitted.
Grievance Meeting Set
If you have any grievances you’d like the
Association to review, please submit them
in writing to the Wisconsin Association of
Fairs, 5320 County Road F, Merrill, WI
54452, by January 1st by mail or e-mail:
wisfairs@gmail.com.
PAGE
3
State Board Elections
Trade Show
This year three positions were up for election this fall. In
District 2, Rusty Volk, Northern WI State Fair, completed his
first term. Deb Gotlibson from the Dunn County Fair, was
elected to a three-year term. District 3 Director, Kathy
Granger, Elroy Fair, completed her second term. Marla Stello, LaCrosse Interstate Fair was elected to a three-year term.
In District 4, Shari Black, Waukesha County Fair, was elected
to a second, three-year term. We’d like to thank Rusty and
Kathy for all of their hard work and dedication to Wisconsin
Fairs.
The trade show will be open on Monday from 1:00 p.m. to
4:30 p.m. and on Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It will
be located in Ballrooms A-I. Our trade show schedule conflicts with only a few other events so our fair board members
have open time to visit with our Associates. Fairs, please take
advantage of the trade show hours and be sure to visit our
Associates. They have put a lot of effort into making our trade
show a success. Don’t forget to visit the Associates working
from their hotel rooms as well. A full list of our attendees’
rooms is available throughout the hotel during convention.
Please be sure to see how their products or services can benefit your fair.
Evening Receptions Set
Booths can be set up on Sunday, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
and again on Monday, from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Booths must
be cleared between 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
Monday evening’s reception will consist of our annual cheese party at 4:30 p.m. in the Riverview Ballrooms. It is a long-standing
event at each of Wisconsin’s annual fair conventions. Assorted cheeses are provided each year by Wisconsin’s world renowned
cheese makers. Our Fairest of the Fairs contestants will have their auction items on display and the auction will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Take time to visit with each of the 41 Fairest of the Fairs contestants. Bid high, and bid often. Tuesday night will include our President’s Reception with hors d'oeuvres and beverages beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Riverview Ballrooms.
Each evening’s reception will conclude with our Showcase of entertainment. Our Showcase Committee is excited about our entertainment at this year’s convention. I’d like to thank our Associates for their excellent submissions. Please be sure to visit our
Associates following the showcases to see how their entertainment may help your fair. Two acts will be featured each night as
part of our video showcasing. If your business has an act that won’t fit on our stage, please consider submitting an application for a
video showcase in the future. Acts like animal shows, jugglers, stunt shows, demo derby or rodeos are perfect for the video showcase.
WLIC Presenting Workshop
WLIC (Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium) started their Fair Program to provide the county fairs the opportunity to
use RFID ear tags and RFID readers to help with livestock check in and other times during the fair when animal ID was needed.
WLIC will be attending the convention on Tuesday with an informational workshop from 11:15 AM—12:15 PM in the Santa Fe
room.
Join Alan Clark, Executive Director, WLIC, as he demonstrates how the RFID tags, readers and software work and how your fairs
can use the Free Herd Management software to organize records and record weights during weigh-in. This fair season WLIC will
also process the tags and DNA samples for WI State Fair Exhibitors and will explain how your fairs can use DNA programs at their
fairs.
Alan will also offer one-on-one sessions for fairs looking for more detailed information between 12:15-4:15 p.m. Please contact
him at 888-808-1910 to make an appointment prior to convention.
Fairest Fairwell
Hello Fellow Fair Enthusiasts!
Nothing makes a person more passionate about Wisconsin’s Fair industry than
traveling to 52 of the 76 Fairs and personally seeing the time, passion and effort that makes each special. In that time, I saw fairgrounds large and small. I
saw Fairs with huge midways and Fairs with no carnival attractions. I saw
shows with numerous agricultural exhibits, and Fairs whose highlights were
companion animal shows or schoolwork spotlights. While each Fair is different,
they are all the same in that they are wonderful examples of our robust,
unique fair industry that brings something special to Wisconsin.
At the start of my summer, I honestly had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was nervous about all the
traveling; I was worried about spending so much time away from family and friends, and I often found myself
caught in the rain. Luckily, the weather cleared in those summer months. Traveling became easier because
visiting each Fair was an exciting, educational adventure, and I was never lonely because I inherited a Fair family.
I think my favorite part of the summer was adding branches to my Fair family tree. Each visit meant making
new friends, meeting new exhibitors, talking with new fairgoers, or if I was lucky, staying with members of the
Fair Board of Directors or Fairest Committee. Of course, a very large branch of that tree belongs to fellow
Fairests. We had a special group in 2014, and I consider myself the luckiest of them all because I got a second
chance to see many of them again. While I am incredibly thankful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I honestly believe any of those girls could have been your 2014 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs and done a wonderful job. I met many of the girls who will be competing in 2015, and I am jealous it is now their turn to add
branches to a Fair family tree.
I cannot write a farewell letter without mentioning the 11 magical days of the 163 rd Wisconsin State Fair. Even
though opening ceremonies got off to a rough start with flower pinning injuries (just ask Rick Frenette), they
were the most eventful 11 days of my life. I am grateful for the opportunity to go on crazy rides with Governor Scott Walker. I am grateful for the Fairest Committee that had faith in me and prepared me for this adventure. I am grateful for the memories I made with 67th Alice in Dairyland Zoey Brooks. I am grateful for the
escorts who selflessly gave me their time. I am grateful for the staff who always welcomed me to the office
with huge smiles even though they were always working later and waking up earlier than I (I owe a special
shout out to Bruce Sullivan who let me meet Lady Antebellum on my birthday!). I am grateful for the youth at
the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin who inspired me. I am grateful for every single second of the 163 rd Wisconsin State Fair.
Thank you all for putting your faith in me as a spokesperson for the
Fair industry. I will carry the lessons I learned with me as I start the
next adventure of my life. I am currently ending my time as the Farm
News Director at WQPC-WPRE Radio in Prairie du Chien, and am
moving to Eau Claire to start my career as a multimedia journalist
with WQOW News 18. I am nervous for this change, but if there is
anything I learned from being Fairest, it is that the best opportunities
often make you nervous before you start.
Thank you all for everything. I cannot wait until I see you again.
Kaitlyn A Riley,, 2014 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs
PAGE
5
Fairest of Fairs Contestants Named
Vying for the title of 2015 Fairest of Fairs are 41 contestants who seek to be named ambassador for our county and district fairs and become the official summer hostess for the Wisconsin State Fair. They include:
Barron County, Devon Snowbank; Brown County, Deanna Schlies; Calumet County, Erica
Lamers; Central WI State, Cassi Miller; Clark County, Kelsey Rueth; Columbia County, Alli
Achterberg; Crawford County, Sarah Achenbach; Dane County, Hannah Haack; Dodge
County, Carrie Warmka; Elroy, Natasha Wells; Fond Du Lac County, Katie Bock; Grant
County, Katelyn Bode; Green County, Alicia Kubly; Iowa County, Sarah Mueller; Jefferson
County, Caitlyn Gerlach; Juneau County, Abigail Bradley; Kenosha County, Kristin Blume;
Kewaunee County, Melissa Heraly; LaCrosse Interstate, Andrea Pieper; Langlade County,
Mary Waterhouse; Lodi Ag, Lindsey Hellenbrand; Manitowoc County, Anna Gries; Marquette
County, Danielle Baker; Northern WI State, Lindy Clark; Oconto County, Kallie Rank; Ozaukee County, Emily La Sage; Polk County, Kristin Wyss; Racine County, Emily Schaal; Richland
County, Molly Jump; Rock County, Kristen Broege; Sauk County, Sydney Litscher; Shawano
County, Ashley Bergsbaken; Sheboygan County, Danielle Navis; St. Croix County, Rachel
Kromrey; Trempealeau County, Brynna Stuhr; Vernon County, Alexis Dunnum; Walworth
County, Emilie Cerny; Waukesha County, Robyn Wittkopf; Waupaca County, Wendy Bricco
-Meske; Winnebago County, Maryjane Behm; and Wisconsin Valley, Mckenzie Valenta.
For four days these highly motivated young people will be interviewed, interact with you at the
convention and partake in several workshops. Good luck to all of the participants!
Fairest of The Fairs Contestants participating in
Fairest Reunion Day at the 2014 Wisconsin State Fair
PAGE
6
Silent Auction Items Needed
We are excited to again offer a silent auction at convention. In addition to the live auction on Monday night, the silent auction will
take place on Tuesday. We are asking all fairs and Associate members to donate an item or two to the silent auction. Consider a
bottle of wine, box of chocolates or an item from a local business to add to the silent auction.
Donated items are asked to be delivered to the Riverview South room on Tuesday from 12:15 PM to 1:00 PM. Items will then be
on display for bidding from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM and again from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The winning bids will be announced at 7:00
p.m. before the showcase begins. We will accept credit card, cash or check payment for the live and silent auctions.
Associate Signage
New in 2015 Associates are allowed to display posters only on the floor by their hotel room doors or in their trade
show booth. Posters are not allowed on the walls throughout the hotel like in the past.
The Association will provide signboards in the registration area and throughout the convention facility listing your trade show
booths and hotel rooms so fairs can find your business. We will provide more signboards throughout the convention facility than
we have in the past simply because there isn’t the same amount of wall space for banners and signs that you’re used to.
Veggie Races Return
By popular demand the Veggie Races are back and with even more ways to participate. I know you all have the competitive spirit in
you and we are asking that each fair bring a veggie car or two to show off at our opening session on Monday, January 5, 2015
at 10:00 a.m.
I have sent each fair secretary a drawing on some ways to build the proper veggie car. New this year we are asking that fairs bring
their own axels and wheels and we will provide the track, thanks to the Barron County Fair.
Since all of you are quite creative we have expanded our categories this year. We will have one winner in each category, not to
mention the bragging rights that you won!
Categories:
1. Veggie Stock Races: Bring your car built for speed.
2. Best Use of Tailgating Theme: Build your car for display use only with the best use of our Tailgating theme.
3. Team Spirit/Extreme Tailgating: How loud is your cheering section? We will judge your team of 5 people on how
creatively they dressed for the convention theme as well as how well they cheered the racing cars on.
We look forward to seeing your creativity at the upcoming convention!
PAGE
WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION OF FAIRS
ANNUAL CONVENTION
JANUARY 4-7, 2015
CHULA VISTA RESORT, WISCONSIN DELLS, WI
Registered convention attendees are invited to attend all of the
events listed in the program. Your convention badge is required
for these events, so be sure to wear it while attending the convention. If you have any questions about our programmed
events, please be sure to ask our Registration Desk. They are
here to help. Enjoy the convention!
7:00-9:00 AM Breakfast Buffet
Board Meeting
Executive Board
Room
10:00 AM
Fairest Committee Mtg – Sierra Vista
11:00-11:45 AM Fairest Registration – Sierra Vista
11:00 AM
MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2015
7:00-9:00 AM Grand Buffet Breakfast – Upper Dells
7:45 AM
First Time Attendees Gathering
Upper Dells
If it’s your first time attending our convention, let us give you an overview of the
convention.
8:00 AM-4:00 PM Registration Desk Open
8:30-9:30 AM LIFE IN THE FAIR BOARD LANE
Grand Ballroom
SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015
9:00 AM
7
Convention Services Committee
Mtg– Grand Ballroom
8:30-9:30 AM ELECTRIC SAFETY
Riverview Room North
Tom Garvey, Lead Service Consultant for
WI DSPS will discuss the changes to electric codes that fairs should be aware of.
Scott Amacher, from Ride Safety will also
be available.
9:00 AM-1:00 PMTrade Show Set up – Ballrooms A-I
9:30 AM
2:00-3:00 PM Meet the Contestants
Upper Dells Ballroom
10:00 AM
VEGGIE RACES FUN TIME
Grand Ballroom
Calling all Fairs. Show that competitive
spirit you have by participating in our Veggie Races. Come warm up the track and
“Join the WI Tailgate Party” for a fun filled
convention.
10:30 AM
CONVENTION KICK-OFF
Grand Ballroom
Call to Order – President, Dale Christiansen
Pledge of Allegiance and National
Anthem, Kaitlyn Riley
Introduction of Board of Directors
Keynote Speaker: Gary Berg, will be presenting “Seeing Straight in a CrossEyed World” which examines how
sight, sound, words, past experiences,
and even laughter and music can all
play major factors in how well we communicate with each other. This basic
understanding helps people be more
patient and accepting of other people’s viewpoints and ideas, and helps
groups work together more effectively.
Associate of the Year Presentation
3:00-8:00 PM Convention Registration Open
Grand Ballroom Lobby
3:00 PM Fairest Coordinator Networking Session –
Upper Dells
This will be one of two sessions offered for
Fairest of the Fairs Coordinators to gather
and network.
4:00 PM Credentials Committee Meeting
Laguna Vista
4:30 PM Resolutions & Awards Comm. Mtg
Santé Fe Room #3020
4:00-6:00 PM Trade Show Set up – Ballrooms A-I
6:00-8:00 PM CARNIVAL NIGHT RECEPTION
Grand Ballroom
Showcase Committee Mtg
Riverview Ballroom South
11:15-12:15 PM ROUND TABLES
ROUND TABLE #1—WI STATE FAIR JUNIOR AMATEUR
TALENT COMPETITION
Riverview North
Bruce Sullivan, WI State Fair and Nick Datillo, Nick
D Entertainment, will lead a session recapping the
first year of the Wisconsin State Fair Junior Amateur Talent Competition. Please join them to share
your experiences of hosting the competition and
encourage other fairs to participate and send their
finalists to the 2015 competition at the Wisconsin
State Fair.
ROUND TABLE #2—BLUE RIBBON FAIR MANAGEMENT
SOFTWARE
Laguna
Jim Martens will show you what’s new with their
programs and highlight the most commonly asked
questions from our fairs. Network with other fairs
on tricks you’ve learned.
ROUND TABLE #3—ASSOCIATE/FAIR NETWORKING
Grand Ballroom
Let’s have an open discussion of what fairs are
looking for from Associates and what Associates
need from our fairs to be sure you are booking the
right business for your fair. In turn let’s be sure
fairs are providing the basic needs for our Associates.
ROUND TABLE #4—WLIC FAIR AND DNA PROGRAMS
Santé Fe 3016
Join Alan Clark, Executive Director, WLIC, as he
demonstrates how the RFID tags, readers and
software work and how your fairs can use the Free
Herd Management software to organize records
and record weights during weigh-in. This fair season WLIC will also process the tags and DNA samples for WI State Fair Exhibitors and will explain
how your fairs can use DNA programs at their
fairs. Alan will also offer one-on-one sessions for
fairs looking for more detailed information between 12:15-4:15 p.m.
12:15-1:00 PM Silent Auction Donations Received
Riverview North
Bring your silent auction items.
12:30-1:30 PM Premium Committee Mtg
Laguna Vista
12:30-1:00 PM Associate Committee Mtg
Grand Ballroom
1:00-4:30 PM Silent Auction Open for Bids
Riverview North
Final bids close at 7:00 p.m.
1:00-5:00 PM TRADE SHOW – Ballrooms A-I
Photo/Media Contest
People’s Choice Balloting
1:15-2:15 PM SECRETARY/TREASURER WORKSHOP
Grand Ballroom
Bob Williams and Stacie Ashby, Wisconsin
DATCP, will review the required reports
needed from each fair throughout the year.
What is the information used for, how is it
submitted, and why meeting the deadlines
is necessary. If you are responsible for
judges forms, annual financial reports, and
correspondence for your fair, join us.
2:00-3:00 PM Ice Cream Break in Trade Show
2:30-4:00 PM FAIREST PRELIMINARIES
Grand Ballroom
6:00 PM PRESIDENT’S RECEPTION
Riverview Rooms
6:00-7:00 PM Silent Auction Final Hour
Riverview Rooms
7:00 PM SHOWCASE OF ENTERTAINMENT
Riverview Rooms
Rocky Mountain Oyster Band
- Talent Associates, Inc.
FLUX (Video Showcase)
- The Entertainment Company
The Sound Exchange
- G.L. Berg Entertainment Agency
WI Lawn Mower Racing (Video Showcase)
Superfly
- ACA Music & Entertainment
The Looney Lutherans
- The Memories
Blue Light Scene
- ACA Music & Entertainment
Lizzy—The Dream Girl (Video Showcase)
- G.L. Berg Entertainment
Kali Rose
- Kali Foster
Big League Bull Riders (Video Showcase)
7 Bridges
- Liz Gregory Talent
Sound and Lights—Sosonic
Video Productions—PM Productions
HOSPITALITY FOLLOWING SHOWCASE—11:30 PM
Grand Ballroom
12:00-2:00 PM Chula Lunch Concessions
Grand Ballroom Lobby
12:00-1:00 PM NETWORKING
Grand Ballroom
(bring your own lunch)
Do you have a topic we haven’t covered in
the schedule? Here is your opportunity to
bring up a topic. Sandy Lang will lead our
session.
1:00-4:30 PM TRADE SHOW OPENING
Ballrooms A-I
Photo/Media Contest
People’s Choice Balloting
1:30-3:30 PM Fairest Contestant Scrapbooks
on Display – Aztec Room
1:30 PM Auction Committee Mtg
Riverview North
1:30 PM YOUNG PROFESSIONALS INITIATIVE
Upper Dells Ballroom
All those under age 40, come and network.
IAFE has a successful YPI program started
on the national level which we’d like to
incorporate into Wisconsin. Join us and
get to know those of similar age to discuss
opportunities to get more involved in the
fair industry.
3:00 PM Legislative Committee Mtg
Laguna Vista
4:30 PM CHEESE RECEPTION & FAIREST AUCTION
Riverview Rooms
5:30 PM AUCTION – Riverview Rooms
7:30 PM SHOWCASE OF ENTERTAINMENT
Riverview Rooms
(immediately following the auction)
The Boogie Men
- The Entertainment Company
Lizzy—The Dream Girl
- G.L. Berg Entertainment Agency
Consult The Briefcase,
- Bananas Entertainment
Big League Bull Riders (Video Showcase)
Magic & Mayhem
- James David
FLUX (Video Showcase)
- The Entertainment Company
Gunner & The Grizzly Boys
- Variety Attractions
WI Lawn Mower Racing (Video Showcase)
Cook & Belle with Seth Cook
- Klein’s Entertainment, Inc.
Sound and Lights—Sosonic
Video Productions—PM Productions
HOSPITALITY FOLLOWING SHOWCASE– 11:30 PM
Grand Ballroom
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6. 2015
6:00-9:00 AM Grand Buffet Breakfast – Upper Dells
7:30-5:00 PM Registration Desk Open
8:00-9:00 AM AG NETWORKING
Riverview North
Join Brian Bolan, WI State Fair and Dr.
McGraw from the WI DATCP. They will lead
us in discussions on EHV-1 in horses, PEDv
and the weigh-in, and influenza viruses to
start.
9:30-11:30 AM Fairest Contestant Scrapbooks on Display
– Aztec Room
9:30-11:00 AM WORKSHOPS
WORKSHOP #1—FOOD SAFETY & CAMPING
Riverview North
Join the Wisconsin Department of Health Services
to bring you up to date on what you should know
about your food vendors and your camping licensing requirements for your fair or event. We will
discuss what you need to look for, the most common violations and what you can do to minimize
your risks.
WORKSHOP #2—ADVERTISING ON A SMALL BUDGET
Grand Ballroom
Jeannie Domeyer, from the Delaware County Fair,
Iowa, has presented at the IAFE Convention and
brings her ideas on advertising on a small budget
to Wisconsin.
WORKSHOP #3— SUPERINTENDENTS TRAINING
Laguna
Ann Webb, Pierce County Fair will lead the session. Do you have guidelines in place for your
superintendents to follow? What authority do they
have? What are your expectations of them?
11:00-11:15 AM Coffee Break
Riverview and GB Lobby #2
11:00 AM-2:00 PM Chula Concessions Available
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015
6:00-9:00 AM Grand Buffet Breakfast – Upper Dells
7:30 AM-4:30 PMRegistration Desk Open
8:00 AM
ASSOCIATION BUSINESS MEETING
Grand Ballroom
Call to order – President, Dale Christiansen
Opening – America the Beautiful
Kaitlyn Riley
President's Report
Roll Call of Fairs/Financial Report
Sec/Treas Jayme Buttke
Wisconsin State Fair Report
Rick Frenette
Report of 2014 Fairs – Bob Williams,
DATCP LTE Fairs Coordinator
Committee Reports by Chairperson
Fairest of the Fairs – Tonya Dvorak
and Kaitlyn Riley
Auction – Tim Heffernan
Audit – Bill Marohl
Credentials – Jessica Bashirian
Educ./Spec. Projects – Becky Merwin
Grievance – Dale Christiansen
Legislative – Jessica Klumpp
Premium – Dennis Duesterbeck
Resolutions/Awards – Ann Webb
Showcase – Bruce Sullivan
Old Business
New Business
Adjournment
10:00-11:00 AM WORKSHOPS & ROUND TABLES
WORKSHOP #1—AG ADVENTURE AREAS
Ballroom A&C
Let’s talk about what makes a successful Ag Adventure area at your fair. Who’s running it? How
many people does it take to staff it? What hasn’t
worked? How do I get started? Join a panel of
fairs with three different budgets so you can adapt
your Ag Adventure area to your needs.
WORKSHOP #2— COMPETITIVE EXHIBITS ON A SMALL
BUDGET
Grand Ballroom
jill Albanese, WI State Fair and Jessica Klumpp,
Florence County Fair, will present their ideas on
Competitive Exhibits on a Small Budget.
ROUND TABLE #1— SOCIAL MEDIA
Ballroom E
What’s been successful for your fair? Do you run
any contests through Social Media? How has it
worked as an advertising source? Join Matt Immel, Fond du Lac County Fair and Rhonda
Klement, Langlade County Fair to talk about
what’s worked for their fairs.
ROUND TABLE #2—CELEBRATING THE 4-H CANNED MOSIAC
Ballroom G
Why recreate the wheel? Brown County Fair will
share how they created a 4-H canned food display
so you can create one at your fair.
11:00-11:15 AM Refreshment Break
Grand Lobby and Conv. Center Lobby
Cookies and milk
11:15-12:15 PM WORKSHOPS & ROUND TABLES
WORKSHOP #1—PHOTO/MEDIA CRITIQUE
Ballroom A & C
Kristin Olson, Knock Out Communications will
present an overview of the Media entries submitted in this year’s contest. We can always learn
how to make our product better. This is your opportunity to learn and ask questions of someone
in the communications and marketing industry.
This is open to all convention attendees, not just
those that entered the contest.
WORKSHOP #2—COUNTY FAIR RECYCLING
Grand Ballroom
Interested in starting a recycling program at your
fair? Do you have a recycling program but want to
improve it? Come learn the basics from Melanie
Burns, DNR Recycling Coordinator, who will present ideas on how to get started from the ground
up as well as easy changes to improve your existing program. Laura Sauermilch, Innovation EHS
Solutions LLC, will be representing Sheboygan
County Fair and Kay Hillskotter, Waupaca County
Fair, will speak on lessons they have learned on
how to run a successful recycling program and
how to avoid common mistakes when implementing a program for the first year.
WORKSHOP #3—YOUTH LIVESTOCK UPDATE
Ballroom E
Results from the MAQA (Meat Animal Quality Assurance) program will be shared. In addition we
will be reporting what counties are generally doing
for their youth livestock projects educationally,
policy, rules, etc. We will also have some recommendations regarding some of the results. Presented by Pam Hobson and Bernie
O’Rourke, UW Extension.
WORKSHOP #4—WISCONSIN AGRI TOURISM
ASSOCIATION
Ballroom G
Steve Peterson, President, WATA, will discuss the
New Liability Law and the signage available to
help your fair as well as what type of educational
series WATA is hosting.
ROUND TABLE #1—FAIREST COORDINATORS
Laguna Vista
Fairest Coordinators will meet with the committee
members to discuss any questions about the program and update you on any changes.
1:00-2:00 PM NETWORKING SESSION
Grand Ballroom
Join us for an open format where you can
ask questions of other fairs that we may not
have covered in our workshops. We’re all
one fair family and are a great resource of
information. Bring your questions.
2:30-3:15 PM DISTRICT MEETINGS
District 1 – Grand Ballroom
Dale Christiansen & Rhonda Klement
District 2—Laguna Vista
Ann Webb & Deb Gotlibson
District 3—Sierra Vista
Bill Marohl & Marla Stello
District 4—Upper Dells
Shari Black & Matt Immel
4:30-8:30 PM AWARDS BANQUET &
FAIREST OF THE FAIRS FINALS
Ballrooms A-I
HOSPITALITY FOLLOWING BANQUET-11:00 PM
Grand Ballroom
Fair Trade Table
Banquet Format
We are excited to try a new banquet format for this
year’s convention. Doors will open at 4:30 PM and at
4:45 PM the Fairest of the Fairs contestants will begin
their self-introductions. We will have our banquet meal
following their introductions, allowing time for our judges
to determine the top ten finalists. At approximately 6:00
PM we will continue our program hoping to conclude by
8:00 PM crowning our 2015 Fairest of the Fairs.
Education Raffle
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to win some great
prizes at the upcoming convention. Some of the items
in the past have included an IPAD, LED TV, camera
package and kid’s pedal tractors. Tickets can be purchased at the Registration Desk during convention.
Winners will be drawn at the conclusion of our banquet
and you don’t need to be present to win.
Proceeds from the raffle go towards our Education
Fund. In the past we have updated our Fourth Grade
Education Packet, created a promotional DVD and held
the Consumer Protection classes.
Thanks to everyone who as participated in the past.
Below are just a few of our recent winners.
Again this year, we will be having a “Fair Trade” table. The purpose of this table is to allow you to share your information with
other fairs. We are asking that every fair bring along extra premium books, flyers, and promotional material that can be given
away. This table is meant to be a trading table, you bring some information, and you take some with you. Please bring along your
materials.
PAGE
www.wifairs.com
2015 Calendar of Events
Wisconsin Association of Fairs
5320 County Road F
Merrill, WI 54452
715-536-0246
wisfairs@gmail.com
January 4-7
WI Association of Fairs Convention,
Chula Vista Resort, WI Dells
March 18
Fair Day at the Capitol
March 23-25
Zone 4 Meeting, Sioux Falls, SD
April 15
District 2 Meeting, Pepin County Fair
April 16
District 3 Meeting, Richland County Fair
April 20
District 4 Meeting, Waukesha County
Fair & Brewer Game
April 22
District 1 Meeting, Oconto County Fair
October 7
District 4, Brown County Fair
October 8
District 3, Columbia County Fair
October 14
District 2, Bayfield County Fair
October 15
Nov. 29-Dec. 3
January 10-13, 2016
District 1, Athens Fair
IAFE Convention, Las Vegas, NV
WI Association of Fairs Convention,
Chula Vista Resort
12