December 2012 NICA News

National Independent Concessionaires Association

December 2012

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CONTENTS DECEMBER 2012

FEATURES

Concessionaire of the Month

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Brett Rubert, Parnell Foods, Inc

Supplier of the Month

NICA Fairs in Washington

Sippers & More and Bacon Galore

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Midway Stainless Fabricators, Michael Curci

By Rey O’Day

By Ken McKnight

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NEWS President’s Message 4

By Greg Miller, CCE

NICA 2012 Year End Review 5

By Barbara Hensinger, CFE

Director’s Voice: Tom Sattler 6 Calendar 7

Florida Week Packet 14, 30

ADVERTISERS

Allied Specialty Insurance 16 Fare Foods 26

Alpha Baking 29

Firestone Financial 17

Asset Preservation 13

Fontanini Meats 22

A to Z Meats 29

Heinkel’s Packing Co. 20

Berk Paper & Supply 26

Midway Stainless 13

The Best Around 28

Perfect Stix 6

Brakebush Brothers 25

R3 (Bunzl) 25

Coca-Cola 2

Swanel Beverages 20

Cusamano & Sons Produce 13 WFA/Sysco 23 Fanestil Meats 16

WNA Specialty Cups 28

COVER PHOTO

By Adam Sheikh http://www.flickr.com/photos/absnikon

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Greg Miller, CCE Well another year is in the books. I have managed to survive my year as President of NICA and experienced several new adventures. I have met a lot of new folks and seen a lot of new places. My family has figured out when the phone rings it is probably a NICA issue. My traveling crew has carried me through several events and my son Gentry has been as much involved with NICA work as I have. Wow what a great team!

One other person I need to mention is my wife, Janey. She has been there every step of the way. She has listened to my speeches, packed my clothes, mailed my mail, and mostly listened when I needed someone to talk to. As President of NICA it takes a lot of support from family and crew to make it happen.

Speaking of support, the NICA office is the place it all happens. They take care of things that we as members never realize happen and they do a great job. I have been fortunate to have a great Board working with me. Sometimes we may argue with each other, but at the end of the day, I believe we have made some pretty good decisions. I guess all the past Presidents had a “go to” person. I was fortunate to have a couple of them. I won’t mention names but they know who they are.

Next year we will be celebrating our twenty year anniversary. As we move into the future we have several challenges facing us. Our members are facing more and more regulations. Fuel prices continue to be on the rise, and there are challenges we do not even realize exist at this time. Hopefully NICA will continue to thrive and support our members and help them deal with their challenges.

This is my final President message I do not want to reflect on the year and our accomplishments instead I want to look to the future. NICA is twenty years old, that may seem old to some but it is really just a baby. We learn more and more each year and we have new battles to fight. The future of NICA is bright and we as concessionaires need the collective voice of the NICA membership. I have told many folks, even if you take away all the benefits of being a NICA member; we are still worth the dues you pay to have a voice of the industry.

Well that’s enough rambling from me for this month. Thanks to each of you for allowing me to be your President.

Greg

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National Independent Concessionaires Association, Inc. Dedicated to strengthening relationships with the Fair, Festival and Special Events Industries through effective communication, benefits, leadership and solutions.

NICA is a Florida Corporation with Editorial and General Office located at: 1043 E. Brandon Blvd.

Brandon, FL 33511 (813) 438-8926 • Fax: (813) 438-8928 www.nicainc.org The information contained in this Publication is based upon sources believed to be reliable. Readers should not act without professional advice.

Cover to Cover Copyright All Rights Reserved. ©NICA

OFFICERS

President......Greg Miller, CCE 1st Vice-President......Tom Sattler, CCE 2nd Vice-President.....David Penn Secretary......Joe Potillo, Jr. Treasurer......Paulette Keene

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Russ Harrison, CCE

Directors:

Rose Marie Ash Don Kenna Tim O’Brien, CCE Justin Sattler Tony Trafton, CCE

Past President’s Council Richard Busse, CCE Tom Hodson, CCE Jim Hodson, CCE (deceased) Tim O’Brien, CCE Ron Smith Adam McKinney, CCE Mike Pence, CCE Jack Woods II, CCE Bob Hallifax, CCE Frank Parnell, CCE Larry Orme (deceased) Larry Sivori Rich Wright Bill McKinney, CCE Arthur Pokorny, Jr. Gene O’Brien, CCE (deceased)

NICA OFFICE Membership Coordinator Jill Omel - nica@nicainc.org

Graphics & Marketing Director Kaitlyn Loos - graphics@nicainc.org

NICA WEST Office: Executive Manager Rey O’Day imreyqoe@gmail.com 2130 Walnut St. La Verne, CA 91750

NICA MIDWEST Office: Executive Manager

Terry Bonnell terrybonnellconsulting@gmail.com

NICA WEST EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Don Delahoyde, CCE Jennifer Giordano Judy Henbury, CCE Lucky Henner Don Long, CCE Dan Lusenhop Dale Smith Tony Trafton, CCE

NICA 2012 Year End Review This will be my last column as your Executive Director. I thought it would be a great opportunity to share with the membership all that the Board of Directors and the staff of NICA has accomplished in the past year.

1. Strategic Plan – The Spring Workshop resulted in a comprehensive strategic plan for NICA which will provide guidance for several years in the future and move NICA to achieve its mission to be a voice in the industry and work more effectively with our industry partners.

2. Established the NICF (foundation) to focus on educational outreach and professional development and the necessary fundraising to support these activities.

3. Benefit Enhancements

a. Amend the SYSCO Agreement to make it more streamlined for

members to use and reduced the rebate to NICA but with increased use

by members, NICA had an increase in rebate revenue.

b. Added Asset Management

c. Added Speedway / Pilot Discounts

d. Trip Sheets Online 4. Developed and published a recruitment magazine, the mini NICA News, paid for with sponsorship donations.

5. Held the first joint meeting with IAFE, NICA Board members and the Federation of Provincial and State Fair Associations in Springfield, MO. A great outreach event.

6. Hosted two sold out Food Shows in Los Angeles and Tampa.

7. Launched a second membership contest focusing on fair and festival management and secured Coke as a sponsor for the program.

8. Partnered with OABA, IAFE and GOSA to address the J-1 Visa issue.

9. Established the concept for regional councils and launched the formation of the first council in the Midwest.

10. Moved the NICA Office to a location with conference room meeting space and a comparable monthly rent.

11. Changed membership management system to a system which allows on-line commerce.

12. Moved the NICA Website and enhanced its content.

13. Changed the NICA membership cycle to an annual renewal of October 1 to allow for better management of staff resources and catch members when they are off the road.

14. Established financial system for checks / balances. All expenditures are authorized by the budget, or Board policy. The Executive Directors approves them. The book keeper or office assistance enters all transactions and writes all checks.

15. Changed the printer for the NICA News to significantly reduce printing costs.

16. Completed an in depth review of the NICA Policies and Procedures Manual.

17. Closed the fiscal year in the black.

Wow what a year! I would also like to thank the NICA Board and membership for your continuous support of me as your Executive Director. The Board is a dedicated group of individuals and they truly have NICA’s best interests at heart.

I will miss the staff and the many members I have come to know in the past year; hopefully I will see many of you again in the future. Best of luck in the future!

Barbara Hensinger, CFE 5

A MESSAGE FROM TOM SATTLER As the fair season comes to a close our focus at NICA turns to the convention season. NICA as an organization participates in many state and national events for the next few months. It is a great opportunity to share the NICA message with fellow concessionaires and our fair management partners.

While many of the Board attend these events, there are also a few member volunteers that donate their time to help. They don’t ask for recognition or praise, they participate for the benefit of NICA. These dedicated members are the ones who staff the booths at trade shows and spread the NICA message at state conventions. I know I speak for the entire NICA membership when I express our appreciation for dedication and the time you spend on behalf of NICA. I want to challenge all members to volunteer to help NICA at these events. So often we as a Board hear from members that NICA is not visible at a state convention or regional meeting, but very rarely do we have an over abundance of volunteers to help staff these events. If every member would help for just one hour at a meeting or tradeshow imagine the progress that we could make. We are always looking for people to become involved in NICA. We can use members who attend a meeting to help with a fund raiser, write an article or just recruit a new member. But I encourage you to attend a state convention, it is a great way to give back to NICA and meet many new and interesting people!

If you would like to be more active in helping NICA grow and become a stronger voice for our industry, you can call me at (239)-707-9105 or if you prefer contact one of the other Board members or the office. Any one of us would be glad to help you get involved. As the incoming President, it is one of my primary goals to strengthen NICA by getting more members to be actively participating in NICA programs and events. Thanks and remember it’s more than a slogan -” Together We Can” ■

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01 02 03NICA 04 05 DATES 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 CONVENTIONS 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 2420-23: 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 JANUARY Western Fairs Association Annual Convention including NICA/SYSCO Food Show, Reno, Nevada

FEBRUARY 4-6:

NICA Business Expo and Fare Foods Food Show, Embassy Suites, Tampa, Florida

FEBRUARY 6:

JANUARY 6 - 9:

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin Association of Fairs Convention

JANUARY 10 - 12:

Grand Rapids, MI, Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions Convention

JANUARY 11 - 12:

Annual Membership Meeting, Tampa, Florida

Charlestown, WV, West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals Convention

FEBRUARY 12:

JANUARY 18 - 20:

The O’Brien BowlingTournament

CONVENTIONS DECEMBER 7 -9:

Des Moines, IA , Association of Iowa Fairs Convention

JANUARY 3 – 6:

-Columbus, OH, Ohio Fair Managers Association Convention** -Indianapolis IN, Indiana Association of Fairs, Festivals, and Events Convention**

JANUARY 4 - 6:

Hot Springs, VA, Virginia Association of Fairs Convention

Springfield, IL, Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs Convention

JANUARY 18 - 21:

Rochester, NY, New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs Convention

JANUARY 20-23:

Reno, NV, Western Fairs Association Convention and Trade Show

JANUARY 24 - 26:

Hershey, PA, Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs Convention

** Visit the NICA booth in the tradeshow at these conventions.

Happy Holidays!

From the NICA Office

SanDee, Jill, Christine, Kaitlyn, & Barb

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BRETT RUBERT of Parnell Foods, Inc HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A CONCESSIONAIRE AND A NICA MEMBER? I started working in the concession business in 1991.

I became a NICA member in 1995 at Frank and Ollie Parnell’s request and won a NICA Scholarship that year. I have been a member ever since.

HOW AND WHY DID YOU GET IN TO THE CONCESSION BUSINESS? How I started in the concession business is probably one of Frank’s favorite stories. My grandfather, Don Carlson, was a good friend of Frank’s. In my hometown of Belvidere, IL, the Boone County Fair is the biggest event of the year. Every year before the fair opened, my family would host a big cookout filled with games, home-cooked food and pool time.

The party included family, friends, neighbors, and the Parnell Foods crew. This is a tradition that we still carry on today. Frank would always joke about putting me to work when I got old enough. Well that year came and Frank did not ask. So me being the shy kid that I was, I had my grandfather ask Frank for me and he got me the job! I have worked every summer since.

Frank and Ollie took me in as their unofficial 3rd son, teaching me the business, and helping me grow and mature into the man I am today. I always say, in a world where so many children grow up with one parent; I was extremely lucky to have 4! I went on to the University of Wisconsin–Platteville where I studied to be a civil engineer. Frank would always joke that he couldn’t figure out why I needed 4 years of college to learn how to drive a train. Like so many college students I found out engineering was not for me and changed majors to accounting. During my college years, I watched the company my dad work for get bought out and decided that the corporate world was not for me. Frank made me an offer I could not refuse. We later incorporated Parnell Foods in 2008, and I am happy to help take Parnell Foods Inc. forward and build on our great products, reputation, and strong business that began in 1982.

IF YOU WEREN’T A CONCESSIONAIRE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? If I were not in the concession business, I would most likely be an accountant in the business world. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and have interned for a Fortune 500 company.

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Brett, Julia, Ollie, and Frank at Bill and Linda McKinney’s 50th celebration at the Western Illinois Fair

Julia and brett with their “wrapped” golf cart

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING A CONCESSIONAIRE? I would say there are many things I like in this business, such as the friends and characters I have met, teaching the employees the ropes, the traveling, and watching people and things change over the years. However, if I had to pick something I like the most, it would be the daily challenges that come up and learning how to diagnose the problem to fix it.

WHAT’S YOUR BEST SELLING FOOD ITEM? When asked what is our best-selling item, my wife, Julia, would like it to be her homemade cheese popcorn we sell in our new popper, and someday it very well may be. However, our true bread and butter is a traditional elephant ear with butter and cinnamon sugar.

WHAT’S SOMETHING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU OR PARNELL FOODS? WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW? Most people don’t know that we have added a popper to our fleet. I have returned my wife and her family (Fred and Carol Wiemer) back into the popcorn business. We are even using Uncle Fred’s 1960’s kettle in our popper to make caramel and

Two Ear Stands at the Plymouth, IN Blueberry Fest

cheese corn, along with specialty apples and cotton candy.

WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU WISH YOU KNEW ABOUT THE CONCESSION BUSINESS WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED OUT? When asked what I wish I knew about the concession business before I began, I am quite fortunate that I was able to witness and experience so much before I even started working. By observing Frank and Ollie for so long, I was able to get a feel for what life in the full-time concession world was like. That being said, I obviously cannot predict all our challenges, but I can draw on a large span of experiences and mentors for help.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER? There have been many highlights over the years that many in the industry have experienced such as handling a big day, being trusted to take a trailer out on your own for the first time, making your first sellable elephant ear, or filling the fryer full of elephant ears for the first time. However, the true highlight has to be finding my wife out on the road. Thanks, Penny Ryle for introducing us!

WHAT’S BEEN MOST INFLUENTIAL TO YOUR PERSONAL OR BUSINESS SUCCESS WITHIN THE PAST FIVE YEARS? There are so many people that have been influential to me in the past five years from Frank and Ollie Parnell, my parents Larry and Melinda, and my in-laws Fred and Carol Wiemer. However, since the question says, “last 5 years” the answer is simple. My wife Julia.

She has picked up a lot of the load of running this company while still counting on her to be a middle school teacher. She gives up her summer vacation to help run Parnell Foods, Inc. Behind every successful man is a successful woman.

WHAT’S THE FUNNIEST THING THAT HAS HAPPENED IN YOUR CONCESSION CAREER? Funny things happen all the time around Parnell Foods, Inc. When you have a work force mainly of teenagers and 20-something’s (or at least at heart) there is never a dull moment. However, the consensus of the group in terms of the funniest thing that has happened is a friendly prank between us and Mollie and Maddie McKinney. Though they will never admit any part in it, we returned to our house trailer after work one night to find our purple golf cart wrapped in caution tape with warnings of elephant abuse! Luckily, these gals arrived quickly on the scene and “helped” us investigate the “crime” the next day. Should they ask you who “borrowed” their bikes the following

Trailer right before a good-sized storm hit South Bend, IN St. Joseph County Fair this past July

year, dismantled them into 13 pieces, and wrote clues directing them to various concessionaires to retrieve said parts, we have no clue who did it. ;) WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME? My free time is filled with Milwaukee Brewers baseball games (I am a proud season seat holder), maintaining my lawn and yard (not a good year with the Midwest drought), traveling, golfing and model trains.

IF YOUR CHILDREN YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, TOLD YOU THEY WANTED TO BE A CONCESSIONAIRE, WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU’D TELL THEM? It would be great if my future kids wanted to do this, but I would tell them to get their education first. My accounting and engineering background have been a big help in my success in this business. An education would help them to tackle the growing challenges we face in this business.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT NICA? What I appreciate most about NICA would be the outlet and voice we have as an industry to watch out for and solve problems and changes in our industry. It is great to see us working together to help steer our future instead of working against each other. It sticks with the motto, “Together We Can.” WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR? Well since the year is almost over I am looking forward to my time off after finishing a long season. My winter time off is a short nine weeks filled with our wedding anniversary, Thanksgiving, my wife’s birthday, Parnell Foods Inc.’s Christmas party, Christmas, and New Year’s. In between all those events I hope to squeeze in remodeling our basement and working on our popcorn trailer.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH NICA MEMBERS? Happy holidays, have fun, and be safe. ■

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Samples from the Curry Cousin

Visiting Two NICA Member Fairs in Washington:

Daily Diary Entries

Marco & Sons Carmel apple display

Dipping sweet Walla Walla onions

Earthquake Fries

September 20, 2012 I arrived in Seattle and visited the Chihuly Exhibit and Gardens and adjoining Collections Café. The cafe was full of presentation ideas and reminded me of the many exhibits I have seen of fairgoers collections and hobbies. When you enter, one looks up to a ceiling full of accordions.

There is a wall of 50’s and 60’s radios and another display wall of bottle openers.

Every table has a box with glass on top that houses collections of items that include things like shaving brushes, string holders, toy soldiers, or ceramic horses.

The exhibits and gardens were filled with Chihuly’s signature blown glass of vibrant colors and large unique shapes.

Breathtaking!

I then drove to Puyallup to visit the Western Washington Fair where the theme was “Get Your Happy On!” The fairground is surrounded by neighborhoods and has very little parking. Therefore every house and business is running their own parking operation and there are food joints all around the outside of the fair. Also the road into town has more car dealers than I have ever seen collected together. I learned that two of those owners are on the Board.

September 21, 2012 Met with Commercial Exhibits and Concessions Manager, Dan Sharpe at 8:30 AM for the Staff Security meeting where trip and falls were the topic of the hour.

Following that CEO Kent Hojem, Dan and I discussed the challenges facing their organization.

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Buttering those signature scones

By Rey O’Dey

Next Dan took me on a tour of the grounds.

It is a well laid out, compact grounds. There is an active backpack program: 1 for $15 and 2 for $25. The attractive packs are filled with promotional items and coupons.

There are 13 smoking locations: pop up tents with 2 benches and ash cans where adults can smoke. Because there is so little storage space, there is an active delivery cart program that takes merchandise directly to locations. The Rainforest Adventure attraction always had a line to view it and the Fair Museum housed a tasty Almond Rocca exhibit. The Seattle World’s Fair sky ride now crosses this fairground.

Food and Beverage is a big draw at this 17 day fair that sees over a million guests.

There are 165 locations filled by 28 vendors and only 8 of them play another fair. Rent is about 24% and there is a great loyalty to longtime vendors. All items have to be purchased from the official suppliers who rebate 4-6% back to the fair. Most food stands are modulars that sit on the ground rather than trailers that sit on wheels. There are hardly any counters because this style stand provides lower/closer guest access to food stand employees. I experienced my favorite new food idea there: the Candy Cone which was sweet potato fries in a waffle cone with marshmallow and caramel drizzled on it for $7. Of course I ate a fresh baked scone with butter and raspberry jam, certainly one of their signature items.

Alcohol was first served here only 6 years ago. Alcohol sales open at Noon and close 1/2 before closing. It is only sold from licensed gardens one of which was very

creative. A large area was fenced for beer/ wine sales which meant families could come and go, and then a smaller bar like area that sold hard liquor was fenced and security controlled for people 21 years or older. While it offers both bottle and fountain soda for sale, the fair is careful to let the decision be made between the concessionaire and the supplier. They have excellent hand washing stations and a specifically defined recycling program.

This is a well-attended, self-sufficient fair with strong traditions that has just renamed itself the Washington State Fair.

September 22, 2012 I drove the scenic route over the Cascade Mountains to Yakima.

The trip was supposed to be beautiful, but instead became treacherous due to very thick low clouds. Sadly the lovely Yakima Valley was covered in thick smoke from the two forest fires that were burning.

I went straight to the 10 day Central Washington State Fair in Yakima and experienced the hospitality of the Yakima staff while eating in their VIP tent for Concert guests. It is a successful Group Sales idea. Then I watched my first (and maybe last) sprint car finals complete with many pile ups!! CEO Greg Stewart, his wife Karen and I enjoyed a nice evening stroll that took in the grass and tree lined pathways, stringer lit barns, the visual impact of the Butler Ferris wheel in the skyline, and happy guests who were feeling their theme “Fair Fever, Catch It.” This fair also still has the Grange tradition with the decorative produce murals and exhibits.

We closed out the evening shopping in the Dome.

September 23, 2012 Today I began by attending the 10:00 AM staff meeting where I spoke about NICA and how fortunate we are to be in this industry. Greg leads a staff of talented, passionate and fun folks. Next I visited with Concessions and Commercial Exhibits Manager, Judy Buermann who so kindly gave me a map with all of our NICA members locations marked on it. I set out to go meet them. I found Darryl Whicheloe, Southern Oregon Food and Beverage, and Clint Mullen, Clint’s Lemonade, under a tree fixing a piece of equipment. Of course, that is what NICA members do: help each other out. John Bookter, Bookter’s Concessions/Horizon Seafoods, was at

his corn dog booth taking care of business.

I found one of our newer members Tony Frangakis, Izzy’s, grilling tasty barbeque.

We first met at the WFA convention trade show where he and his wife Norma joined NICA. While visiting with these folks it dawned on me that this is a fair where one is allowed to sell Coke or Pepsi: a true rarity and very refreshing.

Next I found Kim and Alan Barr, owners of Pacific Crest Concessions, who had only become NICA members two weeks earlier. They were enormously proud of their beautiful new funnel cake trailer, and happy to report that both their noodle stand and funnel cake stand were ahead of the prior years’ grosses. Lastly, I visited Roger Wofford, Wofford Concessions.

This longtime concessionaire put sticks in apples and made the caramel for them while we visited for over an hour about the changes he had experienced in this business. Watching him dip the apples and roll them in nuts was like watching an artist paint a canvas. I could tell he had done this all his life. He is also the designer and builder of the modules that I saw in Puyallup and in Yakima.

September 24, 2012 This morning I touched base with the Sysco sales representatives in Yakima. As I suspected they were not aware of the NICASYSCO buying agreement. It was a pleasure to discuss the future our two organizations are building together and how using the buying agreement would benefit them and our members. We will reconnect with them with new developments before next year’s season begins.

I also met with Kellen Adcock, one of our commercial vendors who sell beds. He came to NICA through our Check-Inn benefit which he and his staff use while staying in Yakima. It reminded me once again that our buying benefits really do help our members control their costs. AND they are great tools for inviting new members to join NICA.

Looks Yummy!

Roger Wofford making candy apples

Ryan Wells, Kim Barr, Alan Barr, Becca Wells, Nate Wells, Pacific Crest Concessions

Daryl Whicheloe dipping corn dogs

It was time for me to return to Southern California. I was sure that I had my “happy on” and that I had once again caught “fair fever.” I am proud we are in the business of supporting concessionaires and making memories. ■

38 Special and Rey O’Day

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SUPPLIER OF THE MONTH:

MIDWAY STAINLESS FABRICATORS Give us a little history on Midway Stainless Fabricators: For 20 years, I had worked for a popcorn company in Edison New Jersey. They would always send me out to the carnivals to sell supplies and fix equipment as I was a “jack of all trades.” In my fifteenth year with them, there was a day that I was walking around the carnival in Belmont, NY and a concessionaire had asked me to make a sink set up on wheels. I told him that I had never done that before and he replied “you are very handy and you will figure it out”. So I went to a stainless shop nearby and asked them to make the cabinet and I would install some sinks, water heater and faucets in it. Well the customer loved what I had made and ordered 2 more. Then his friend ordered another. Once the word got around about these carts, people have been asking me to make other carts such as lemonade, italian ices, etc.

So I started a little company just to make some extra money making these carts in the basement of my little townhouse.

Everyone was pleased with my carts. Then people have been asking me for larger carts as these size carts would not fit through the door of my basement. So I kindly asked my boss at the popcorn company if I could work in his shop after hours and weekends. He gladly said okay. But soon the demand for my carts grew without me trying. So I had asked the worker who was always making my carts in that stainless shop if he wants to be my partner. He agreed as we quickly rented a 2000 square foot building just over the river into Staten Island, New York. We then got a call from a Six Flags in Massachusetts and they needed some large kiosk made for them. Well my jaw dropped and I started shaking. It turns out that they were very happy when they recieved them. So my partner and I both quit our jobs and purchased (2) 10,000 square foot buildings

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and now we are a major fabricator for many theme parks and carnivals. We now sell all over the world and have distributors in many countries.

What’s your most popular product?

Our most popular product lately has been the kiosk or if you want to call it a movable permanant builing. These can be lifted to another location by forklifts and cranes.

See below as I have attached some photos.

What’s your busiest time of the year?

We used to only be busy in the summer but now our busiest time is the off season making new things for people for the new upcoming season.

What’s the best part about your job?

The best part about my job is seeing my creations come to life and seeing the joy on peoples faces when they receive it.

What’s something you’re looking most forward to this year?

I am looking forward to the new year as we have so many new kiosk and cart designs being introduced. The Cinnamon Carts will be a new line of carts that are affordable yet very attractive looking. The theme park kiosk line is most unique.

Especially the new “Boardwalk” which we are building now for a Six Flags park that will be ready in March of 2013(Attached).

What’s something most people don’t know about Midway Stainless?

What people do not know about us is that we also build restaurant kitchens from soup to nuts. Being next to New York City, we get many jobs from there.

What do you like best about NICA? What I like most about NICA is the people who belong to it. Knowing many of them in my travels from carnival to carnival, they are always so friendly and always sharing their experiences.

Are you coming to the upcoming Fare Foods Food Show in Tampa?

Yes I will be at the show in Tampa. Actually I had gotten Sno-Biz to join NICA. They had a booth there last year and will return for 2013.

Thank you for this opportunity, Michael Curci (President, Midway Stainless Fabricators) ■

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into at the

NICA BUSINESS EXPO AND FARE FOODS 2013 FOOD SHOW February 4-6, 2013 We are very excited to report that last year’s Food Show was a tremendous success…the best Food Show yet! With the additional space, we were able to expand the Food Show allowing additional vendors to exhibit.

The Embassy Suites–USF/Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida will, once again, be the location for the 2013 NICA Business Expo and Fare Foods Food Show.

The Embassy Suites is an all suite hotel. In addition, they offer a daily complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast, nightly complimentary manager’s reception, corporate business center open 24 hours a day, complimentary morning newspaper, take a swim in the heated pool, unwind in the whirlpool or sauna, and they also offer a well-equipped fitness center.

The hotel has offered us a special group rate of $121.00 per night single or double (plus applicable taxes). This rate is only available for reservations made through Fare Foods. A higher rate will apply if you make reservations directly through the hotel. Please complete the hotel reservation form in this issue and don’t delay. Make your reservations early since there are a limited number of rooms available. Deadline is January 3, 2013.

Fare Foods and the NICA Board will continue to discuss how we can improve the Show. With the expanded space, we will be adding new vendors to showcase new products and ideas. There will be new exciting giveaways, promotions, etc. that will benefit you and will certainly be enjoyed. Come and see for yourself and have fun!

Celebrating 20 years of NICA and looking to Roar into the Future.

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2013 OPEN TO ALL! The NICA Business Expo will open with sessions that will explore the issues and solutions to the day-to-day challenges faced by anyone involved in the Fair/Special Events Industry. Visit www.NICAINC.org for a complete listing of the workshops scheduled.The evening will feature the opening of the very popular Fare Foods 2013 Food Show!

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2013 The NICA Business Expo continues with workshops and round tables that reflect subject matter that are of the interest to both concessionaires and event management.

The workshops will be facilitated by industry experts from around the country. The evening will feature the last day of the Fare Foods Food Show and the drawing of the grand door prize.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013

• Need to make a presentation to a Fair Board, or at one of the state conventions? Join this workshop and get some tips to make your presentation effective and keep your audience engaged.

All three of Wednesday workshops will be limited to the first 20 registrants. Please be sure to reserve your spot today! (Register on www.NICAINC.org or complete the registration form on page 30)

Also Make Sure to Visit:

The Gibtown Extravaganza and Trade Show February 5-9, 2013 The Florida State Fair February 7-18, 2013 The O’Brien Bowling Tournament February 12, 2013

NICA will host three workshops this year.

• The popular Serv-Safe Food Management Class and Certification administered by the

Florida Restaurant Association,

8:00 am – 4pm

DON’T DELAY!

*All Events Tentative

• Social Media and Website tools. Bring your lap top, or ipad and learn how to set up your own website or Facebook Fan pages.

Class will also include recommendations for marketing strategies.

Make your reservations today!

See you in Tampa!

Over 50 Vendors! Educational Workshops! Registration Available Online!

Please see www.nicainc.org or www.farefoods.com for info!

15

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800.237.3355

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Fax 727.367.1407

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Start Your Season Using the National Discount Program YOU MUST ENROLL IN THIS PROGRAM TO RECEIVE NATIONAL ACCOUNT PRICING WITH PEPSI. Applications for the National Account Pricing Program for Pepsi are sent in the NICA New Member Packets and are available through the NICA office. Submit your application and attached W-9 Form to the NICA office by e-mail to nica@ nicainc.org or fax to 813-438-8928. The NICA office will notify you when your account has been activated. Once you receive your activated account information, it is very important to follow the steps below.

Contact your local distributor or bottler at least 2 weeks before an event to set up your distributor/bottler account.

Lead time is extremely important! Please note, not all Pepsi Bottlers elect to participate in the National Account Pricing Program.

1.

Make sure that your orders are on a “National Syrup Delivery Ticket” or you will not be eligible for a rebate.

2.

You must keep all your tickets and/or invoices to receive your rebate. Please use the Pepsi Rebate Submission Form, when mailing in your rebates. This form can be found on the NICA website or by calling the NICA office at (813) 438-8926.

3.

Your tickets must be in by November 30th of each year, any submission after this time will be held until the next year for payment. Here is what you need to submit: copies of your tickets and/or invoices, and include name of local bottler and date with year of transaction to: Pepsi National Account Fountain Sales Attn: __________________________

100 Summit Lake Dr. Valhalla, NY 10595 4.

Before you mail in your receipts, call the National Pricing Account Hotline 800-431-1707 (Mon.-Fri., 9-5 EST) and tell the customer service operator that you are mailing in rebate receipts. Ask to whose attention you should address the envelope.

If you have followed all of the above steps and are having difficulty with the program, please call the NICA office at 813-438-8926. We will be very glad to assist you! 

Firestone finances the concession industry!

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Assistant Vice President Sales

• Seasonal payment options • Secured working capital loans • Financing for new and used equipment • Finance your concession trailers, bunkhouse, trucks, rides, generators and more!

Contact us to learn how we can help grow your business!

Financing for your Concession Business!

1-800-851-1001 ext. 42 www.firestonefinancial.com 17

There is no one that would dispute how hard Mike “Sipper Mike” Peterson, owner of Sippers & More, works. He always seems to be the first one in and the last one out during each day’s fair operation.

And for all the hard work that Mike puts in each day he is always cheerful, has a positive word and is eager to help in a pinch. Along with his lovely wife Brittney, Mike successfully owns and operates a number of classic looking and well kept drink and Churro carts, along with the super popular Mexican Funnel Cake and his relatively new re-launched flagship the “Bacon-A-Fair” stand, that amusingly blows all our mind’s just looking at it.

Mike and Brittney live in North San Diego County and also have two beautiful children, eight-yearold Eliana and her younger brother, six-year-old John. This is a busy family both personally and professionally.

He did a lot of fairs; LA, Del Mar, Orange County, Sacramento, Ventura, the Orange Show and lots of street fairs and festivals. Growing up, my Dad also worked with him for a while. Really my whole family did. My grandfather had originally been in the fair business for a number of years on the commercial end. He worked with a resort group selling memberships and didn’t get into the food end until the mid fifties.

Mike is one of the youngest concessionaires to own and operate a concession business of this magnitude at such a high energy and sophisticated level. You might not know it, but he has over twenty years experience working in the food concession business and he and Brittney’s hands-on approach is commendable if not enviable. If running his business is not enough, Mike also serves as our own NICA West representative on the WFA Best Practices Committee.

KEN: How old are you?

MIKE: I will be turning 38 here in a month

Here is a little of what makes Mike Peterson tick:

I am lucky to work side by side with my wife Brittney in the business.

She has become an integral part of the operation especially in the last few years. I like to joke that she is my trophy wife, but truth is our recent business expansion would never have been possible without her. She handles all the HR and fair auditing paperwork and unlike me she usually does it with a smile. With up to 70 employees and 7 locations to turn in paperwork for, she still finds time to run around and help with the daily operations.

KEN: Tell us how you got started in the concession business.

MIKE: My grandfather, Doug Peterson, was in the fair business for many years and I worked for him growing up. I started in Jr. High School working during the summer, and then later working for him was how I helped put myself through college.

KEN: Was he known as Sippers and More?

MIKE: Just Sippers at the time. All he sold was the plastic animal sipper drinks, out of carts.

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KEN: And when did you take over the business from your grandfather?

MIKE: I took over from him in 1997, the year I graduated from college.

He was focusing more on the manufacturing end of his business and was having a hard time juggling both roles. I had been running the fairs for him all the way through college and he made me an offer to buy the business outright, half way through my senior year. As of January 1997, it became my company and in 2004 we incorporated for liability protection and tax advantages.

KEN: How many stands do you have?

MIKE: We started out in this business selling food and drink from carts and I think we still have about 30 carts. The most we operate at any time is 15 in 5 separate locations at the Orange County Fair. Several

Here’s the San Diego County Fair’s 2012 “Out of This World” theme character, Roswell, with Mike Peterson (2nd from left) and his staff receiving the Pick of the Day award. Congratulations Mike!

years ago we launched our Mexican Funnel Cake trailer.

Moving up to a trailer allowed us to be a lot more creative and develop the Mexican Funnel Cake. The best part of running this stand is watching guests go for our Jumbo Mexican Funnel Cake challenge. The deal is if they can eat the entire thing in 20 minutes, it is free. Our Jumbo size is crazy big and I think we have only had about 5 people out of hundreds be able to finish it. But it is pretty entertaining watching people try to do it.

We also have our Bacon-A-Fair stand, which is a re-launch of a stand we had called the Heart Attack Café. . We have always had bacon items in that stand such as our signature chocolate covered bacon, and along the way added additional items such as our Beer Battered Bacon. Last summer during the Orange County Fair we decided our goal was to become the premiere bacon lover’s destination.

Over the years we had become convinced that the key to success is not trying to be all things to all people, but to go after your unique niche. So in 2012 we re-launched as “Bacon-A-Fair” where bacon in the main part of every dish.

We threw everything out of the stand that didn’t have bacon in it. We knew we were taking a risk, but we decided it was going to be all or nothing, a major flop or a home run.

KEN: How many products are in the bacon line?

MIKE: We have 12 products. There is our signature item, “The Caveman Turkey Club.” It is a 2 plus pound Turkey Leg wrapped with a pound of bacon. Our foodie favorite is our Porkabello Kabob which is baby Portobello mushrooms, stuffed with Gouda Cheese stacked on a kabob stick; the

entire thing is wrapped in bacon, grilled over open flame and then topped with shredded aged Gouda. That’s my favorite!

We also have Deep Fried Beer Battered Bacon Dogs on a stick and the popular Beer Battered Bacon Plate. There is bacon wrapped Jalapenos and of course the Chocolate covered Bacon, and our new Deep Fried Chocolate covered bacon we call “The Coronary Combo!”

KEN: How did you come up with the little white container that is such a signature look for the chocolate covered bacon?

You see people carrying them around the fairgrounds and just know what is in it.

MIKE: Our customers often wanted to take the chocolate covered bacon home and we wanted something easy and different as far as packaging went. This year when we were buying new uniforms we decided to have fun with it and put “Bring home the “Chocolate Covered” Bacon” on the front of our shirts, a little subliminal messaging to drive that incremental take home sale.

KEN: The Bacon-A-Fair stand has really grown. How have you managed that growth?

MIKE: At the Orange County Fair we had room around the stand we weren’t utilizing. We sit on an island spot and we were previously only selling out of the front of the stand, so we decided to sell in the round on all 3 sides that the public sees. It worked really well for us this year! We also had to add additional grills and employees throughout the Del Mar Fair to keep up with demand. At times it felt like barely controlled chaos, but we were blessed with a great staff this year and we could not have done it without them.

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become more important as profit margins face increased pressure. To be able to get better pricing through an organization like Sysco is better not just for my business but also our industry as a whole. I think they (Sysco) understand our business better than ever and value us as partners much more than before NICA become involved.

I am also currently reviewing the Fleet Program through Ford.

KEN: How do you deal with the media?

MIKE: The media plays a significant role in our business.

When we are developing new products we ask ourselves not only, “What is the customer going to like?” but also “What is the media going to be attracted to?” It has to be different enough to be noticed but simple enough to explain in a short 30-second spot. I have really learned a lot by watching Charlie (Chicken Charlie). He has really been at the forefront of gaining media attention and really taking it to the next level. It has been great seeing how much his early morning efforts have not only helped his business, but also benefited everyone who does business at the fair.

KEN: How long have you been a NICA member?

MIKE: I was one of ten who were asked and given the privilege of being a founding member of NICA West. I’m currently not on the council, but I am a representative for NICA West on the WFA’s Best Practices Committee.

KEN: What does that entail?

MIKE: At this time we are going through and reviewing Best Practices guidelines that were originally written up some twenty years ago. We are updating and revising these guidelines so they are relevant for todays’ fairs.

Some of the items that were addressed years ago are no longer concerns today, and there are new issues that we have to contend with now that did not exist 20 years ago.

KEN: Is this for Food Concessions only?

MIKE: No, it is for all members, food, entertainment, and commercial vendors as well as for fair management.

KEN: What has NICA done for you?

MIKE: For one thing, NICA has assembled some helpful pricing agreements with Sysco. Our product procurement has changed so much over the last 5 years since price has

KEN: What challenges do you foresee down the road by being an independent concessionaire?

MIKE: I think you have started to see a major divide between a small group of operators who have found a way to remain very profitable and a large number of operators who have to beg and borrow to come up with deposits and keep their equipment running. Many of those on the edge run the unique small mom and pop operations that sell food that makes the fair different from the food courts at malls across the US. If we don’t find a way to help keep these unique operations in business it will wind up hurting the entire industry. We can look at what has happened in the commercial buildings over the past 20 years and see how it hurts everyone when smaller vendors with unique items can no longer make a profit. The fact that I was one of the youngest owners when I bought the business 15 years ago and at 38 I am still one of the youngest owners out here shows we have challenges ahead.

KEN: Was there anyone else who has helped you out along the way besides your grandfather?

MIKE: Of course there have been many, but one individual who quickly comes to mind is Donna Ruhm, the Concession Manager at the San Diego County Fair. She has come to me with a number of product ideas over the years that have become some of my best sellers. I am really fortunate in the fact that the two fairs that I still participate in actually mean it when they refer to us as partners.

KEN: What do you want fairgoers to remember about Sippers & More?

MIKE: Well in order for them to remember us they have to first notice us. We try to do things differently, from our unusual products, to our cheeky signs. We have found that if you offer unique items, customers will search you out and you are not tied down to competing on the basis of location and price.

KEN: What’s Next? What’s the new product for summer 2013?

MIKE: (smiling) you will have to wait and see... (Laughing).■

21

Fair, Festival & State Association Membership Contest Fair Manager Large Fair/Event Denny Lang.............................................1 Fred Brown..............................................1 Jessie McLauglin.....................................2 Jim Ward.................................................2 Judy Bureman.........................................1 Michael Heard.........................................1

The staff of Fare Foods would like to congratulate Danny Vaughn on his recent retirement. For over 30 years he was a part of the Fare Foods team and well known in the fair industry. We all wish him the very best in his future endeavors.

22

Association Large Fair/Event Office.......................................................3 IFEA........................................................1 For a more information about the contest and a c. omplete list of rules, please see contest info on page 24.

Energize Your Buying Power...

BY ATTENDING THE NICA WEST/SYSCO FOOD SHOW

22 Booths Jam Packed with Tasty Ideas for Fairs!

Following the kitchen tours, NICA will host two concurrent sessions.

One in the butcher shop where Sysco will break down the hind quarter of a steer into the protein cuts that are served at the fair; i.e. beef ribs, briquette, and tri tip with a look at what other products could be served.

And one where Sysco will present a seasonal produce seminar that looks at growing and harvesting seasons, fresh vs. processed, Lamb Weston French fry options, product presentation, and produce cost comparisons.

27 23

Fare Foods Seeking

OUTSIDE SALES REPRESENTATIVE A Southern Illinois based wholesale food distributor servicing the concession industry is looking for an Outside Sales Representative. The ideal candidate will process orders and solicit new qualifying business.

The candidate will represent the company at Trade Association meetings to promote the company.

You will gain extensive product knowledge and have the ability to quickly resolve issues with customers. You will provide estimates for dates of delivery to customers based on knowledge of the company’s delivery schedules. Candidate will be required to travel. Previous Amusement / Carnival experience preferred. Previous wholesale food experience preferred.

If you would like to become a part of a fast growing family owned food service company please send a resume to sharsy@farefoods.com.

Paid Advertisement by Fare Foods

Growing Partnerships Fair, Festival and State Association Member Contest The NICA membership is excited to offer our new campaign to reach out to our Fair and Festival partners and bring them into the NICA family. The mission of our organization is to partner with all those who do business in our industry and work together to grow, preserve and strengthen family friendly events held across the country.

Fair / Festival Management Contest:

NICA and our member partner Cola-Cola Refreshments will reward our top three large fair/festival managers and three small fairs with a cash reward. This competition is based strictly on who recruits the most new members.

Large Fairs / Festivals – (attendance over 100,000) 1st Place: $500 2nd Place: $200

3rd Place: $100

State and Provincial Competition:

NICA and Coca Cola Refreshments will award cash for educational programming at the state convention to the top two associations that recruit the most members.

1st Place: $1,000

2nd Place: $500

Sponsored by

Small Fairs / Festivals – (attendance under 100,000) 1st Place: $500 2nd Place: $200 3rd Place: $100 24

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New Members Wayne Paradise................Wayne Paradise Signs and Designs, CA Amber Kapuscinski....................... Am-2-Da-Ber Concessions, AZ Liz Rivera Otts..........................................Food Truck Crazy, Inc, FL Andy Steinfeldt.............................Everfresh Food Corporation, MN Jeannie Cezar..........................All-Rite Custom Manufacturing, CA Cameron Murray................................Chesters Gators & Taters, NC Norm Dorval.....Tracy Driscoll Insurance & Financial Services, CT

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NICA Survival Kit winner, Lloyd Burns and NICA West Council Member, Dan Lusenhop at the Big Fresno Fair

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National Independent Concessionaires Association, Inc.

Date

1043 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, FL 33511 (O) 813-438-8926 • (F) 813-438-8928 email: nica@nicainc.org • www.nicainc.org

For Office Use Only

#

NICA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

q Mr. q Mrs. q Ms.

First Last

Name of business Physical address

City

State

Zip

Mailing address

City

State

Zip

Permanent tel. no. (

)

Fax no.

Cell phone no. ( E-mail

Paperless: q Yes q No

) Website

I agree to get my renewal invoices sent by email. Please provide email address. Referred by

Please fill out the below information as ACCURATELY and DETAILED as possible. INFORMATION and KEY WORDS provided below will be used for your entry in the NICA Annual Membership Directory as well used as key words to search for your business on the NICA website.

Annual Membership Fees INDEPENDENT CONCESSIONAIRE Voting membership available to any person who is an independent concessionaire.

q New NICA Members.......................... ........................$125 q Spousal member.........................................................$75 q Employee (non-voting).................................................$50

Please check a category below and provide a detailed description of the services your company provides.

q Commercial exhibits q Food

q Games q Retail

q Attractions/Entertainment

_________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Concessionaire General Routing Information

Please list all states where you conduct your concession business.

_________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Mail Check or Money Order to NICA at 1043 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, FL 33511 q Visa q Mastercard q American Express

ASSOCIATE

A person or entity who provides services to the concession industry.

q

Fair/Festival over 75,000 attendance......................$125

q

Fair/Festival under 75,000 attendance......................$75

q

Manufacturer/Distributor/Industry Supplier..............$75

q

Carnival Operator...........................................................$75

Please provide a detailed description of the services your

_________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________

Visit our website for NICA Membership Benefits www.nicainc.org

ALL DUES ANNUALLY PAID OCTOBER 1st I understand that my application is subject to final approval by the NICA Board of Directors. I also understand that if my application is not accepted, the amount paid will be refunded to me. If accepted for membership in NICA, I hereby agree to abide by its by-laws and rules.

Credit card no.

Security Code

Expiration Date

Applicant’s signature

Date

Spousal signature

Date

TOTAL:__________________ (spousal signature required when both are joining)

Signature of credit card holder The NICA sponsored $10,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Policy is automatically provided to all Independent Concessionaire Members.

Spouse’s first name

Spouse’s last name (please print)

27

Membership Contest 2012 General Membership Art Pokorny ...................................2 Bob Drinkwater..............................1 Brandon Warner............................1 Brett Rupert...................................1 Coca Cola......................................1 Dale Smith.....................................2 Dan Lusenhop...............................1 Dominic Palmieri...........................1 Don Delahoyde, CCE.....................1 Don Long.......................................1 Gordon Food Supply ....................1 John the Greek..............................1 Judy Henbury................................2 Ken McKnight................................1 Leonard Dunford...........................1 Lucky Henner................................2 Michael Knott.................................1 Mike Curci......................................1 Norman Keene..............................3 Randy Reichert, CCE....................1 Robbin Smith.................................1 Ron McKinney...............................2 Tim Harmon...................................1 NICA Rep Charles Ivory, CCE...........................1 Dannie Moreland............................10 David Spann.....................................1 Kevin McGrath II...............................1 Administration Office..............................................40 Rey O’Day........................................7 Board of Directors Paulette Keene.................................1 Rose Marie Ash................................2 Russ Harrison, CCE.........................8 Tom Sattler, CCE..............................1 Tony Trafton, CCE............................4 PRIZES

* Carnival Cruise Package - (valued over $1500) a drawing will be held for all the members who refer new/former members in 2012. For every new/former member referred, the recruiting member will receive 1 chance to win the Carnival Cruise. * $500 Cash - For every new/former member referred, the recruiting member will receive 1 chance to win the $500. * NICA National Rep Contest - Winner will receive $500 cash and is eligible to win any of the above-mentioned prizes.

Drawings to be held in Tampa, Florida in February 2013.

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Wednesday Pre-Register Workshops Please select the box for the workshop you’d like to pre-register for and fill out the information at the bottom before sending to NICA office. To see full description, refer to p.23. Please select only one of the classes, since the times will conflict. Only one registrant per form. THERE ARE A LIMITED NUMBER OF SEATS AVAILABLE. REGISTER NOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT.

□ Serv-Safe: $135

Cost:$135 per person. Lunch and drink are included in the registration fee. *You must bring a state issued driver’s license or other photo ID with signature to the class.

Upon receipt of your registration, a Manager Review Guide will be sent to you. Anyone who registers after January 18th may pick up their review guide the day of the class.

□ Social Media & Website Tools: $20 □ Modern Day Presentations: $20 Name: _______________________________________Company: _____________________________________________________ Address:____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone#:(

)______________________Cellphone # (

)______________________Email:______________________________

For Payment by Credit Card: ___Visa ___ MasterCard ___ Discover ___American Express Name on Card: Billing Address:

NATIONAL INDEPENDENT CONCESSIONAIRES ASSOCIATION, INC.

Card Number: Expiration Date:

Security Code:

Fax your registration form to (813) 438-8928 or mail with payment to NICA, 1043 E. Brandon Blvd, Brandon, Fl 33511 or call NICA at (813) 438-8926 and register over the phone. No refunds. Checks, Money Orders and Credit Cards accepted.

Make checks payable to NICA.

Attendee Reservation Form Name _________________________________________________________________ Member

□

Non-Member

□

Name of Business ___________________________________________________________________________________ Permanent Address __________________________________________________________________________________ City __________________________________________ State ____________ Zip _________________ Phone # (

) ____________________________ Cell Phone # (

)________________________

Email ______________________________________________ REGISTER ONLINE! WWW.NICAINC.ORG

DEADLINE FOR PRE-REGISTRATION IS JANUARY 25, 2013.

You can also fax your registration form to the NICA office at 813-438-8928, via email to nica@nicainc.org or call 813-438-8926.

If you pre-register you will get an extra entry into the golf cart raffle! If you pre-register online, you will be entered into a raffle for a $100 gas card in addition to the golf cart raffle ticket.

30

Pick Your Booth Space Today!

And we will see you in Tampa!

Remember…Booth space is limited! The deadline booth space reservation will be December 14th! If you have not signed up to exhibit your products at the Food Show... pick your space now! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in one of the best Food Shows in 2013!

Call now to exhibit!

Audrey Poole – Fare Foods, 618-542-2155 or apoole@farefoods.com

56 - 8’ X 10’ Booths in the Grand Ballroom

Hotel Reservation Form To reserve hotel accommodations for the NICA Business Expo & Fare Foods 2013 Food Show, please complete the following information and fax to Audrey Poole at Fare Foods (618) 542-4798 or e-mail apoole@farefoods.com. If you have any questions, please contact Fare Foods at (618) 542-2155.

Name: First ___________________________ Last ________________________________________ Name of Business ___________________________________________________________________ Permanent Address __________________________________________________________________ City _________________________ State _____________________ Zip _________________________

Phone # (

) ___________________________Fax # (

) ______________________

Arrival Date __________________________Departure Date _________________________

Please check one:

Email _________________________________________________________________________

Number of Rooms ________________

□

King Bed Suite

□

2 Double Bed Suite

Credit Card# to guarantee reservation: _________________________________________

Expiration Date: ___________________________

31

NICA News

PRSRT STD U. S. POSTAGE PAID STEVENS POINT WI PERMIT NO. 272

National Independent Concessionaires Association, Inc.

1043 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, FL 33511

Time Sensitive Mail ~ December 2012 Issue

Participate in the NICA Membership Contest & You Could....

* Carnival Cruise Package –(valued over $1500) a drawing will be held for all the members who refer new/former members in 2012. For every new/former member referred, the recruiting member will receive 1 chance to win the Carnival Cruise. * $500 Cash – For every new/former member referred, the recruiting member will receive 1 chance to win the $500. * $500 NICA National Rep – Winner of the NICA National Rep contest will receive $500 cash and is eligible to win any of the above-mentioned prizes.

All new and former members’ applications must be submitted to the NICA office within 30 days of receipt in order to be eligible for the contest.

Drawings will be held in Tampa, Florida in February 2013.

Sponsored by

Sponsored by 32

Refreshments