Contents • June 2022 Articles & Features AdvertiSers 04 This Month’s New & Renewal Members 05 President’s Message 07 Director’s Voice 10 Riffing With Rey 12 Association Announcements 13 Attention Members! 14 Thoughts From a CCE 16 Thriving Partnerships with Fiserv 18 NICA Marketplace, November 6-8: Together We Will Share Ideas, Networking, Products & Services 20 Getting to Know Your Regional Council Members 22 Revisiting My Home Fair 26 From the Camera Roll 29 2022 Membership Contest
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28 Alpha Baking Co. 15 Berk 17 Brakebush 29 Corfu Foods 29 Cusumano & Sons 25 Fanestil Meats 02 Fare Foods 25 Firestone Financial 30 Heinkel’s Packing 09 Hummel Group
06 K&K 17 Lamb Weston 15 Mr. G’s Quality Cut Meats 13 Schantz Mfg. 28 Swanel Beverage 30 TasteMaker Foods 29 Valley / J&B Meats 27 WhirleyDrinkWorks! 14 WNA
National Donut Day is observed once every June. Although fried dough cakes were popularized in 1400s Europe, they actually gained their name (and ring shape) 400 years later. The Salvation Army created the holiday in 1938 to honor the women who served them to soldiers, nicknamed “Doughboys,” in World War I. NICA is proud to have over 70 members who serve these and other tasty fried dough products each season!
NICA is a membership-driven organization dedicated to strengthening relationships with the Fair, Festival, and Special Events Industries through effective communication, education, benefits, leadership, and solutions. National Independent Concessionaires Association, Inc. is a Florida Corporation with an Editorial and General Office located at 1043 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, FL 33511 • Off ice: (813) 438-8926 • Fax: (813) 803-8460 • Online: 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 © 1993-2022 NICA, Inc. All Rights Reserved. “Summer Thriving!” June 2022 NICA News
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This Month’s Newest Members Tommy Coffing
Mike Hallahan
Emily Mierzewski
Craig Stupp
Kathy Dennis
Andrew Larkin
Thom Parker
Nick Taulelle
Vivian Leavitt
Mary Lee Ricketts
Joseph Williams
UsedRides.com Greer, SC
Bottom of the Bowl Ice Cream #1 LLC Hendersonville, TN
John Dennis
Bottom of the Bowl Ice Cream #1 LLC Hendersonville, TN
Virtual Ticket Solution Barlett, TN Ferrero USA, Inc. Snellville, GA Paradise Mgmt. LLC Phoenix, AZ
Berry Global Evansville, IN
Whole Fresh Foods Denver, CO R’s N R’s Concessions Pomona, CA
Boyels/NSP Owasso, OK
Taulelle Concessions Saint Michael, MN JC Airbrush/Signs/GP Old Fashion Kettle Corn Albany, OH
Welcome to our 12 New NICA Members! See Page 29 for the 2022 Membership Contest Leaderboard. “Together We Can!”
This Month’s Member Renewals Gary Armstrong
Suzy Cason
Jennifer Fraser
John Kerrigan
June Arner
Steve Clyne
Bryan Gresham
Jeremy Kirchner
Kristy Coleman
John Gray
Dennis Larson, CFE
Colleen Helm
Jeff Lindsey
Susan Hewing
Margaret Lucio
Jeff Horbowicz
Pat Marsillo
Cusumano & Sons, Inc. Mt. Vernon, IL (2006)
Erie County Agricultural Society / Erie County Fair Hamburg, NY (1999)
Eugene Dean
Bobby Jenks
Tim May
Michael Dill
Greg Kaupke
Faith McGee
Armstrong Concessions Knoxville, TN (2016) R and J Food Concessions L.L.C. Valencia, PA (2015)
Ronald Arner
R and J Food Concessions L.L.C. Valencia, PA (2015)
Steve Aucoin
Aucoin Concessions Litchfield, ME (2015)
Jon Baker
Pima County Fair Tucson, AZ (2013)
Troy Beaver
TDB Concessions Salisbury, NC (2021)
Lois Bender
A to Z Portion Control Meats, Inc. Bluffton, OH (2007)
Robert Berk
Berk Concession Supply Warren, OH (1995)
Andrew Bryan
Bryan Holdings LLC Hutchinson, KS (2019)
Daniel Bullen
Bullen’s Food & Games Xenia, OH (2019)
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June 2022 NICA News
Oklahoma State Fair, Inc. Oklahoma City, OK (2014) American Foods Group Des Peres, MO (2021) Coleman Concessions & Equipment Lakeland, FL (2022)
John Colvin
Gordon Food Service Shepherdsville, KY (2021)
Jerry Constantine
Corfu Foods, Inc. Bensenville, IL (2004)
Rex Cusumano
Fiesta Shows Seabrook, NH (2019) Dill’s Deli Redding, CA (2015)
Marc Dobson
Big Jim’s Concessions Firebaugh, CA (2007) Miss Piggy’s Seymour, IN (2021) Focus Photography Cornville, AZ (2008) Helm Concessions Riverside, CA (2020) JMS Concessions Windsor, IL (2004)
Jenks Concessions, Inc. Vale, NC (2013) Indiana Beef Cattle Association, Inc. Indianapolis, IN (2015)
The One Man Band Cocoa, FL (2014)
Michael Doolan
Big Fun, Inc. Jensen Beach, FL (2012)
Bunge Oil Chicago, IL (2007) F.B. Purnell Sausage Co. INC. Simpsonville, KY (1998) Ramsey County Fair White Bear Lake, MN (2020) Alpha Baking Waukee, IA (2007) A and M Concessions Jasper, FL (2019) Pat Marsillo Concessions, Inc Hamburg, NY (2019) Handy Wacks Sparta, MI (2016) Molnar’s Concessions Austintown, OH (2000)
Jefferey McGowan Conagra Brands Brandon, FL (2021)
►► “Renewals” continued on page 21 µ 1993-2002
2003-2007 2008-2012 2013-2021
President’s Message Daryl Whicheloe, CCE, President As I am thinking about this month’s message, I am finishing a four-day weekend event put on by a local Active Club that raises money for children with needs in the community. This is a fairly large event that brings in thousands of people during the four-day event. The Grants Pass Active Club is a group of about fifty volunteers that work as a great team to put on this event. It is amazing to watch a plain and simple city park transform into a fun, family friendly, “Mini City” and gathering area with infrastructure, dining, entertainment, shopping, security, housing, and parking—all in just a couple of days. The Fair Industry is great at building “Mini Cities” in a very quick time period. WE know it takes a HUGE team effort to put on such an event. The team includes Fair Office and Staff, Maintenance Department, Carnival, Concessions, Beverage Providers, Commercial Exhibitors, Security Personnel, Parking, 4-H and FFA, Advertising, the Financial Department, the Legal Department, and so many more. It is really a pleasure to be part of that team.
Kristen and Daryl Whicheloe, CCE, thriving in the Summer!
Working as a Team
I am always amazed at my own team, and fellow Concessionaires, that set up a Food Concession in a matter of hours that serves high quantities and good quality food. With our business partners like Sysco, Pepsi, and several other local providers, and working as a team with other Concessionaires, we are able to stock enough product and provide service to large numbers of people that make most restaurants envious. I may be the boss of my company (well, actually my wife Kristen is the real boss) but I truly understand it is a team effort that makes my company successful and not just me. With that said, I would like to brag a little about NICA’s small but mighty team. Rey, Linda, Jesse, Jessica, and Dennis do an amazing job for NICA, for you and me, and for our Industry. Some of the recent things they have been working on include the upcoming NICA Marketplace event to be held in Las Vegas, November 6-8, 2022. This is really going to be a wonderful opportunity for Concessionaires to network, learn, and be heard. I hope you will all attend and take advantage of NICA’s newest event. The Office team has also just signed a contract with Supplies on the Fly, a Sysco-owned restaurant equipment provider with thousands of items we use every day. With other NICA Members, I had the honor to evaluate their offerings for our members. We believe they have products that are useful to our success, and pricing that is favorable to our bottom lines. I look forward to working with them and think they will be a nice, additional benefit to all of our members. See Page 13 for more program information and easy-to-follow directions on how to sign up for Supplies on the Fly’s Sysco Rewards Program. The Office is also currently working on a system that will text all of our members to keep you informed of any NICA updates. If you haven’t already received a text, I encourage you to text NICA to (833) 913-3767 to join the list. I anticipate this being a very useful tool for us. I wish YOU and your TEAM a great month! I hope you stay healthy, safe, and successful. ▲ June 2022 NICA News
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Joe Potillo, Jr. Greg Miller, CCE Tom Sattler, CCE Russ Harrison, CCE Richard Busse, CCE Officers Tom Hodson, CCE President: Daryl Whicheloe, CCE st 1 Vice President: Vincent Nelson, CCE Jim Hodson, CCE (Deceased) Tim O’Brien, CCE 2nd Vice President: Kim Barr, CCE Ron Smith Treasurer: Dan Lusenhop Adam McKinney, CCE Secretary: Jacqueline Bradbury, CCE Mike Pence, CCE Jack Woods, II, CCE Directors Bob Hallifax, CCE Brandy Arredondo, CCE Frank Parnell, CCE Phil Delahoyde Larry Orme (Deceased) Kelly Grout Larry Sivori Thomas Hodson, CCE Rich Wright Kathy Ross, CCE Bill McKinney, CCE Stacey Pittroff-Barona Arthur Pokorny, Jr. Jeff Thornberry, CCE Gene O’Brien, CCE (Deceased) Jay Wells, CCE
Past Presidents’ Council
Sandy Class, CCE Don Delahoyde, CCE Kathy Ross, CCE Dan Lusenhop Dominic Palmieri, CCE Paulette Keene, CCE
OFFICE STAFF
Executive Director: Rey O’Day rey@nicainc.org
Office & Membership Manager: Linda Frisco
Communications & Marketing Manager • NICA News Editor: Jesse Willard communications@nicainc.org
East Council Coordinator & Social Media Coordinator: Jessica Gottsche jessica@nicainc.org
Midwest Council Coordinator: Dennis Larson, CFE
east Council
Bary Bunts, CCE Ryan Collmer Ryan Hagy Thomas Hodson, CCE Patty Tessari Michael Zdebiak, Jr.
Midwest Council
Connie Boesen Sandy Class, CCE dennis@nicainc.org Paulette Keene, CCE Bruce Kozelou Foundation James McConnell President: Audrey Poole Matt Ribar Vice President: Greg Miller, CCE Brad Schroder Treasurer: Jennifer Giordano, CCE April Smith Secretary: Rey O’Day Trustees: Kim Barr, CCE Carmel Dyer-Pittroff, CCE Mark Lancaster Don Kenna Vincent Nelson, CCE Larry Sivori
nica@nicainc.org
West Council
Brandy Arredondo, CCE Jodi Dirksen Irene Dugan Jan Gary, CCE Gigi Horowitz Ryan Long Kara Moederndorfer, CCE Ryann Newman Steve Vartanian
Do you have any questions or would like to get involved with NICA? Contact us at (813) 438-8926 or nica@nicainc.org today!
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June 2022 NICA News
Director’s Voice
Jeff Thornberry, CCE, Director
I had never been to any Fairgrounds until I started working for Mackinac Island Fudge Company, a Food Concession at the 1981 Los Angeles County Fair. This was my introduction to the Fair Industry! The journey that began that day has blessed and shaped my life in ways I could never have imagined. The best part is that I get to share this journey with my family! I have come to realize that one of this Industry’s greatest strengths is its ability to embrace families as an important part of its infrastructure. Nowhere is this more evident than by the sheer number of family-owned-and-operated companies employed to put on a Fair. In some instances, a family’s involvement within this business can span multiple generations and fill numerous roles. To me, it’s these familial connections that make our Industry so resilient! The friendships and acquaintances I have made within this Industry have enriched my life. More importantly, they have helped to shape me as a person. The stories, adventures, and hard work of my peers inspire me to do better as I continue down life’s path. I know similar influences impact yours too. And though some of our friends and family may no longer be with us, their impact will remain with us long after they are gone. Much like the ripples in a pond caused by the impact of a stone, a family’s contribution to
The Mackinac Island Fudge Company offered Jeff the first chance to experience working at the LA County Fair
Fair Family Stories this Industry will carry on long into the future; however, human memory is finite. If we want these contributions to be remembered, we will need to do more than just talk about them—we need to document them! NICA News is offering a new column as one place that you can do just that. By sharing your Fair Family’s history and important milestones here, you extend their influence. Knowledge of past struggles and accomplishments humanizes us, contributes to pride in and love for each other, and increases the respect we feel for others involved in this Industry. We can think of families at Fairs as a web: the more connections that are made, the stronger the web becomes. As more of our peers hear your family’s story, it increases the number of connections within our networks, thus contributing to a more resilient, unified Industry. In other words, by celebrating the individual contributions of families to this Industry, we make our whole “Fair Family” stronger! NICA is creating a column that has been set aside for your family to share its Fair history and experiences. It is where you can answer questions like, who started your family’s journey in this business and who carries it now? What did they do to make it work and how has that process changed over the years? Where did the founders get their break and where does your family operate today? When did they find that first opportunity? Why Fairs? Finally, how will this legacy continue? This is your space to tell this story from your perspective! I for one look forward to hearing tales like how the daughter of Concessionaires becomes a State Fair CEO. Did a legendary Carnival Owner really acquire his first ride by trading a car dealership for it? I want to learn how some families produced multiple generations of Fair Managers. What is their secret sauce? Who was the kid that set up a folding card table in the parking lot of Ford Motor Company and sold wind-up toy cars to the factory ►► “Voice” continued on page 8 June 2022 NICA News
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Michigan State Fair, he met Harry Ryba who taught him how to make Mackinac Island-style fudge. After marrying, the Marzolinos moved their new family from Detroit to Glendora, CA in 1955. workers coming out for lunch, and what is his Fair legacy? Most of all, I want to read about the multi- Their fledging Concession went on to thrive at events like the Del Mar Fair; Orange, Ventura, Los generational families who have made an indelible Angeles, and Santa Clara County Fairs; as well as mark on this Industry. the Arizona State Fair. John and Barbara ran a lean My Thornberry family story starts with business that was well respected by their peers. gratitude. My wife Jo and I own and operate Their staff wore uniforms and they maintained Pristine Systems, Inc., dba Gadgets and Neat near hospital levels of cleanliness, which was not Stuff, a retail store at Fairs and Rodeos. We work tirelessly to present a unique quality product line in always the norm back then. I was in the audience the day that John and a highly entertaining style. Our route has us playing Barbara were presented with the very first Western six of the ten largest attended events in North America, eight shows in total. We are proud of the Fairs Association Barham Award, named in honor business we have built; however, I would be remiss of the legendary Concessionnaire and founder of Hot Dog on a Stick, Dave Barham. This award if I did not acknowledge that much of the credit for our success stems from the many people who recognizes exceptional Fair-based business owners who exhibit “sheer vision and innovation, have supported and influenced us along the way. Most of these people will never know the extent of creativity and leadership” within the Fair Industry. our appreciation for being able to watch and learn My wife and I were deeply humbled to follow in their footsteps when we received this prestigious from them. award nine years later! There are too many Fair people who have During my first Summer on the road, John influenced my career to mention in this article; Marzolino introduced me to Art Ibleto, owner of however, I want to highlight two families to whom the Spaghetti Palace at the Sonoma County Fair my recognition is long overdue. in Santa Rosa, CA. I think it was the single highest John and Barbara Marzolino, the original grossing food stand at that Fair—the lines never owners of the West Coast Concession Mackinac seemed to end! Art was nicknamed the “Pasta Island Fudge Company, were my first Fair King“ and his food lived up to that billing. That’s employers. They, and their son Dan, taught me where I fell in love with pesto! For years, I would the ropes of this business. If it was not for their examples, I would never have started my own Fair- eat at his stand almost every day of the Fair. Art had a strong work ethic and ran a very efficient based company. business, but he had a fun-loving side too, as was John and Barbara were children of Italian evident by his frequent deep belly laughs being immigrants, and both grew up during the heard from the kitchen. deprivations of the Great Depression. As a young Art Ibleto was born in Italy in 1926. When man, John earned a living selling soap door-tohe was 17 years old, he was conscripted into door. He eventually parlayed that experience Mussolini’s army to fight the Allies, but quickly into pitching stainless steel cookware at shows defected and shortly thereafter joined the Italian and private parties. While demonstrating at the “Voice” continued from page 7 ►►
Dan and Barbara Marzolino, Mackinac Island Fudge Company, with a very young Norb Bartosik, former Fair Manager of the California State Fair and OC Fair
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June 2022 NICA News
Art Ibleto, the “Pasta King,” doing what he did best at the Spaghetti Palace at the Sonoma County Fair
Resistance where he harassed the Nazis and Fascists until the end of World War II. In 1949, Art immigrated to the US where, while picking zucchini in Petaluma, he met his future wife, Victoria Ghirardelli. Having no more than a fifthgrade education, Art was able to build a new life in the USA, raise a family, establish multiple successful business, and go on to become one of Sonoma County’s best-known businessmen and philanthropists. Art Ibleto was an inspiration to many, including me. He said, “I hope I leave behind a bit more than I came with. Maybe I help somebody to see that freedom is everything and you can do anything if you work.” In 2020, Pasta King Art Ibleto, owner of the Spaghetti Palace at the Sonoma County Fair, passed away at age 94. Several years before his death he wrote in his memoir, “When I die, I don’t want people to be sad. What a life!” To John and Barbara, and Art and Victoria, thank you for your wisdom, the examples you set, and the lessons you have taught to those who touched your world. And to all of you still out there shaping my path, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you too! I encourage your family to tell their
Pasta King Art Ibleto’s Spaghetti Palace on the Fairgrounds
story here, or the story of the people who have helped your family along their way. To do so, send your story to communications@nicainc.org and Jesse Willard, NICA Communications and Marketing Manager, will connect with you. Your contribution will help make our “Fair Family” stronger, spark inspiration and strengthen the ties bind us together into one big Fair Family! Wishing you a healthy and prosperous season! ▲
June 2022 NICA News
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Riffing With Rey
Rey O’Day, Executive Director
Attending, Listening, and Participating
We are in the thick of planning for the NICA Marketplace where Together we will share Ideas, now our options are fewer and expensive. Is Networking, Products and there coverage for food-borne illnesses, E. coli Services in Las Vegas at the outbreaks, and transmissible diseases? Does Tuscany Suites and Casino. We your company have current, proactive safety also attend Sister Organization plans for a weather event, illness outbreak, events throughout the year. active shooters, and an unexpected health Why do we do that? My reason is that I believe incident or accident? Review your contracts to “Everything I Know I Learned from Someone Else.” understand what you are taking on in liability. Below are some examples of things I have learned 4. While the public is interested in food as or are thinking about because of attending a medicine, meat and dairy alternatives, locally recent Industry event where I had an important resourced items, carbon foot print data, natural conversation with someone or participated in a and organically grown products, and planttopical session. based foods… they still like to eat food cooked Here are some of the ideas that caught my in grease and/or full of sugar once in a while attention during the Spring Midwest Fairs meeting. and they go to the Fair to do that! 1. “Get to the Right Size for You!” This is a wise 5. Fairgrounds must continue to invest in encouragement that relates to all aspects of creature comforts like AC, seating, clean our lives including the number of events we and functioning restrooms, trailer washing work, the dimensions of our living space, the facilities, accessibility, broadband Wi-Fi, need for storage space, how much we weigh, security command centers, and personal the amount of locations one wants at communication device applications. an event, the total debt we carry, Today’s public does not want to wait the number of communication for anything and does want instant devices we use, and the gratification. “whatever quantity of stuff we need to While there I had the choices we make pack to go somewhere. opportunity to update the regarding the wild 2. When working on a new gathering on “What Can NICA swings of the 2022 project or idea, here are Do 4 You?” My last in depth some things to consider: economy, the guest visit with them was over five Who are the Champions of experience must years ago so I reviewed where the concept? And who are we were then and were we are be our number one the Opponents? What are now. I shared that our Strategic priority!” your Assets? And what are Planning has guided us down a your Challenges? Describe the path of becoming a stronger Voice Economic Impact. Plan Your Work in the Industry, creating a broader, and Work Your Plan. fresher spectrum of Benefits for our 3. In the world of insurance, is it time to have members, stabilizing our Resources, and finding weather-related insurance? Like everything, many new ways to communicate with and stay insurance has cycles and right now there are focused on our mission to serve our Membershipfewer carriers in our marketplace. That opens driven organization. I invited them to join us on our the space for more in the future, but right journey as members. 10
June 2022 NICA News
Kathy Ross, CCE, Director, greeted the Zone Meetings during the Florida Federation of Fairs Convention
Kevin McGrath II, The Best Around, giving his perspective on “Tips for Surviving the Wild Swings of 2022’s Economy”
In May I attended the Florida Federation of Committees.) McGrath also observed that the Fairs / IAFE Zones 1 and 2 Convention in Naples, Pandemic made us bolder about asking, “Can FL where I had the honor to present “What is the we change that now?” or “Do things differently?” Right Mix of Food at Your Fair,” A program Dennis and answering, “Yes.” He noted that food is a Larson, CFE, retired Minnesota State Fair, and I strong Fair attraction and probably the most developed. The workshop is based on defining resilient component of the Fair right now. menu sorting questions, identifying Fairgrounds’ 3. Representing a Zone 2 Fair, Nancy Smith, neighborhoods, and overlaying restaurant menu CFE, GM South Carolina State Fair, found categories. Kathy Ross, CCE, Ex-Officio Director of that repeating their Drive-Thru Food Fair Events, greeted/hosted the room for both sessions successfully helped call attention to the on behalf of NICA. One of the joys of these upcoming Fair. She stressed that the public events is connecting with long time colleagues/ was safety and security to be a concern and friends over a meal. Jerry Ross, Harmony Artists, that admission policies. and I had a marvelous conversation about the 4. On behalf of Carnivals, Jay Strates, Strates importance of entertainment to “length-of-stay” Show, stated clearly that “We are all and the strategy of balancing the schedules of interdependent!” It is in our best-survivalacts to accomplish that. interests to share information with our State Executive Director Dan West also invited me to Associations, IAFE, OABA, and NICA Sister develop and moderate a panel session on “Tips for Organizations regarding our short-term and Surviving the Wild Swings of 2022’s Economy.” long-term ideas. 1. Representing a Zone 1 Fair, Gene Cassidy All agreed that inflation, gas prices, finding CFE, CEO of The Big E, said that in this time of labor, product sourcing, disposable income, surging inflation they decided NOT to raise their admission price (though they had not done so in fair hours, rising labor costs, and supply chains five years) to encourage guests to attend. They are consuming our time, people, and financial resources. And that whatever choices we make are counting on volume and what they have learned during the Pandemic about “doing what regarding the wild swings of the 2022 economy, the guest experience must be our number one we do with less.” He also encouraged all of us priority. to “get in front of our concerns.” As you are gathering at Fairs and Events greet 2. On behalf of Concessionaires, Kevin McGrath each other, plan to lead or attend a NICA Rally or II, The Best Around, stressed the importance Gathering, consider serving on a NICA Committee of developing and using Communication or Council, and sign a nomination form for yourself Committees to discuss and plan how to find or a fellow NICA Member running for the NICA operational efficiencies between Fairs and Board of Directors. Importantly, even if you do not Concessionaires and amongst Concessionaires know your exact plans, please register today for like sharing job pools and product deliveries. the NICA Marketplace and your hotel room at the (Call 813-438-8926 to receive NICA’s very Tuscany Suites and Casino, November 6-8, 2022. detailed tri-fold flyer on Communication See you soon!! Summer Hugs! ▲ June 2022 NICA News
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Association
Announcements Do you have any announcements you would like to share? Contact us at (813) 438-8926 or nica@nicainc.org
Director Nominations Have Been Extended to July 30th NICA is currently accepting nominations for next year’s Board of Directors election. This month the Board voted to extend the deadline for Board Election Nominations to July 30th in the hopes that you will see each other and encourage each other to run for the Board or maybe even run yourself. Joining NICA’s Board offers many opportunities to have your voice heard, connect with other professionals in the Fair Industry, and to further the cause of NICA. Learn more by visiting the Director Nominations page at www.nicainc.org/nominations or call (813) 438-8926. ▲
Scholarship Applications are Now Being Scored All qualifying scholarships were in by the June 1st deadline; they are now off to be graded by our dedicated group of anonymous Scholarship Readers. They will be making the hard choices choosing the best candidates for the 2022 NICA Foundation Scholarship Program and will be submitting their final decisions to the NICA Office in July. Each Applicant will be contacted with his or her status when the results are in. This year’s winners will be announced in an upcoming issue of NICA News. Good luck to all our Applicants and thank you to our Readers! We also thank all of our generous donors for their continuing commitment to the NICA Foundation. We need your continued support to ensure the future success of this honored program. Please embrace the challenge to sustain NICA’s scholarship legacy and donate online at www.nicainc.org/foundation, by mail, or by calling the NICA Office at (813) 438-8926. A donation from you in any amount will empower and expand someone’s opportunity to commit to their education. Your kindness and foresight will be used to build the Foundation for future students to learn, grow, and THRIVE! ▲
Apply Today for the NICA Health Plan Did you know that NICA has its own health care platform built just for you? Since May, many NICA Members have already started their coverage, and we encourage you to apply. The NICA Health Plan features an extension to employees, a nationwide network, competitive rates, professional claims processing, multiple plan designs, and rate stabilization. Visit www.hummelgrp.com/nicahealth to complete the online form or call (866) 569-1304 to speak with Andy Yost or Audrey O’Brien. Once you enroll, they will follow up to answer questions, explain the process, and help you take the next steps. ▲
Text NICA to (833) 913-3767 to Join Our New Text Messaging List Attention NICA Members, we are proud to announce our new texting platform, to coincide with our typical messaging via NICA News, NICA Now! emails, and our NICA Social Media Accounts. If you have your cell phone on file with NICA, you may have received a message earlier this week regarding NICA Marketplace registration opportunities. If you did not receive it, we may not have your cell phone on file. To join, all you have to do is text the word NICA to (833) 913-3767 from your phone. ▲ 12
June 2022 NICA News
Attention Members! NICA Members now have exclusive discounts at Sysco’s Supplies on the Fly’s Rewards Program at syscorewards.onthefly.com and a dedicated Supplies on the Fly Equipment and Supplies Consultant, Becky Bryant, who can be reached at (770) 257-2192 or bbryant@suppliesonthefly.com.
Supplies On The Fly’s Sysco Rewards Website Offers: • • • • •
400,000-plus competitively priced Foodservice products Outstanding customer service Easy billing Free and quick shipping on thousands of items Knowledgeable support from product experts
Sign up for the NICA Sysco Marketplace by contacting your local Sysco Sales Representative or Rebecca Kelley at rebecca.kelley@sysco.com or (281) 381-2222 and/or at www.nicainc.org/sysco.
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Visit syscorewards.onthefly.com and then follow the instructions below:
Existing Supplies On The Fly Users: Simply log in to your account and you are now automatically added as a rewards member. New Users: Click “Activate Your Account” link, enter the required information and click “Activate.”
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Find the products you need by searching for specific items or browsing by department.
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Thoughts From a Richard George, CCE, 2019 CCE Recipient, Past Director & Owner of George’s Fun Foods My company was founded five generations ago, with one small food stand selling corn dogs. Our company mission was to always serve high quality products at fair prices, with excellent service and guaranteed satisfaction. Today we still have the same mission along with numerous changes to keep up with our ever-changing times. We believe that the Fair is a place of great family memories. My crew members and I love making memories for our customers. A smile goes a long way; with that common courtesy and an extra hand when needed, if you take the time to enjoy what you do, the
patron and their families will remember that and continue to come back time and time again. Relationships between the manager and employees should be based upon leadership and strategy, which is trust and respect. As management, we must lead by example and take the time to teach our personnel proper training and skills and with this earn respect and trust for each other. We must continue to evaluate our employees and advance their skills. ▲ The Certified Concessionaire Executive Program was developed to recognize the professionalism of Concessionaires. All you have to do to get started is visit www.nicainc.org/CCE to gain access to all versions of the application, whether you would like to print it or complete it online.
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June 2022 NICA News
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www.mrgsmeats.com June 2022 NICA News
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Thriving Partnerships Tina Hollis, Angie Ray & Richard Viana, Business Consultants, Fiserv Clover
with
Hello NICA Members! We would like to introduce our team: Tina Hollis, Angie Ray, and Richard Viana. We are Business Consultants with Fiserv Clover. Tina has been with Fiserv for 15 years, and 14 years with NICA; Angie has been with Fiserv for five years, and two years with NICA; and Richard has been with Fiserv for eight years, and five years with NICA. The success of each NICA Member is very important to our team and we take personal ownership when it comes to your ability to accept electronic payments. More importantly, we have a clear understanding of the demands and challenges that come with the Mobile Amusement and Concession Industry. Our goal is to walk alongside each client to navigate, adjust, and keep up with high-speed payment demands and creative ways to accept payments in today’s changing environment. Our greatest challenge has been keeping up with the demand. At the beginning of the Pandemic, we spent countless hours closing a 15-year portfolio to avoid fees, deferring lease payments, and working with Fairs on refunding large concert and ticket orders. It was imperative that our clients knew we supported them not only throughout the good times but the hard times as well. In addition, we assisted with educating our Vendors as they found new ways to generate revenue during the Pandemic. Concessionaires pressed forward with Street Vending and Fair Food
The Fiserv team at the NICA Annual General Membership Meeting in February: Tina Hollis, Richard Viana, and Angie Ray, along with Juliana Quintero, Strategic Partnerships
16
June 2022 NICA News
Tina Hollis, Angie Ray, and Richard Viana, Fiserv Business Consultants, dedicated to assisting the NICA Membership
Drive-Thrus, using mobile and online payment solutions, and even third-party delivery services such as Uber Eats and Door Dash as creative solutions to generate income. The Pandemic reinforced three major shifts in payment behavior: declining cash usage, migration to contactless payments, and pushing our Industry to analyze payment operations and customer interactions to match these behaviors. Then in Summer of 2021, Concession creativity continued. When Fairs began to open, Vendors were needing to make hard game-time decisions such as implementing QR Code ordering, kiosk solutions, and electronic payment only lines to keep up with the high traffic volume and limited staffing. Operationally, our team accommodated all clients the best we possibly could in re-opening closed accounts, balancing last second hardware orders, training clients, and fulfilling our onsite commitments with limited staffing and travel restrictions. Our team advocated for each member to keep Clover hardware costs down even with our costs of hardware were rising because it was more important to us to get each client back on their feet without adding more fees and costs to their bottom line. 2021 was such a great success that it has allowed us to bring even better solutions to support our Industry through the NICA Partnership. Early Summer Fiserv will be launching our
Clover Mini 3 wireless solution. Though the country has been impacted by cellular modem shortages and the changing of towers that we underwent before the pandemic, Clover has taken this opportunity to enhance its hardware, making it faster and even more robust with upgraded cellular modem, new sleek design, and substantial enhancements to the overall engine that drives each payment. We are super excited for this rollout and to share more information with ongoing enhancements in the very near future. As a result of the overwhelming success of 2021, members taking advantage of the NICA Clover program now have specialized support numbers that bypass authentication systems, and customer service reps that have been trained on the unique questions that come up in our travel amusement footprint. In addition, all new and existing clients either have or will have fee reductions and better seasonality accommodations to eliminate the need to close accounts during off-seasons. Though we have seen major changes in our
Industry, we are committed to learning and finding ways to best support each NICA Member. Together, we “Survived” and “Thrived” during the Pandemic, proving that when we work together there is nothing standing in our way of success. We look forward to continuing with you all to provide the tools and support necessary to tackle all the challenges handed to us in 2022 and the years to come! ▲
Have You Signed Up? Apply online at www.nicainc.org/fiserv or contact the following representatives based on location and needs: Angie Ray at angela.ray@fiserv.com or (423) 480-7727 for Concessionaires in AZ, CA, CO, ID, IL, IA, KS, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WI, and GA. Richard Viana at richard.viana@fiserv.com or (786) 559-3764 for Concessionaires in TX, OK, MI, IN, NY, AR, LA, MS, AL, TN, KY, OH, PA, ME, VT, NH, MA, RI, CT, NJ, DE, MD, WV, VA, NC, SC, and FL. Tina Hollis at tina.hollis@fiserv.com or (239) 287-8221 for Fairs, Associations, Software Providers, Wholesalers, and Non-Concession related members.
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June 2022 NICA News
17
Dear Business Owners/Managers, Fair Industry Leaders, Trade Show Exhibitors, and YOU: we are proud to announce the upcoming NICA Marketplace Convention and Trade Show, taking place November 6-8, 2022 at the Tuscany Suites and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. In 48 hours you will network with colleagues, discuss practical solutions, enjoy storytelling, and return enriched. “Together We Can!” This inaugural event will feature a non-exclusive Trade Show, Educational Sessions led by hands-on 18
May 2022 June 2022NICA NICANews News
Event Industry Thought Leaders, and Networking Opportunities that are welcome and comfortable—a place where we all understand we are Customers of each other and Together we share a Fair Guest to serve. The event will be held at the beautiful Tuscany Suites and Casino, Las Vegas, NV. $79 Room Rate Sunday, November 6th through Thursday, November 10th, with no resort fee ($39 waived), suite sized rooms with kitchenettes, free Wi-Fi, and Free Parking! See you in Vegas!
Sunday, November 6, 2022 2:00 – 6:00 PM: Registration 4:00 – 7:00 PM: NICA Marketplace Welcome Hospitality Evening on your own
Monday, November 7, 2022 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Registration
2:00 – 3:15 PM: Educational Workshops 3:30 – 4:45 PM: Educational Workshops 5:00 – 8:30 PM: Marketplace Trade Show and Happy Hour Evening on your own
Tuesday, November 8, 2022 9:30 – 10:45 AM: Educational Workshops
9:30 – 10:45 AM: Marketplace General Session featuring Keynote Speaker Michael Bradley, “Think Like Walt,” and NICA Benefits Review, “Together We Can Save!”
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Marketplace Trade Show
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM: Educational Workshops
5:15 – 7:00 PM: Industry Excellence Reception
12:30 – 1:45 PM: Box Lunches and Roundtables
Evening on your own
1:15 – 2:15 PM: Ask Me Anything: Fair Leadership 2:30 – 3:30 PM: Ask Me Anything: Business Owners 3:45 – 5:00 PM: Educational Workshops
Schedule is subject to change; visit www.nicainc.org/marketplace and check NICA Now! for updates.
$99 Early Bird Member Registration
Book Your Hotel Room Online
Register yourself and additional attendees for NICA Marketplace by selecting the link at nicainc.org/marketplace and logging into your Membership account. You may choose a Member ($99) or Non-Member ($129) rate.
Book your hotel reservation at $79 with no resort fee at nicainc.org/marketplace by selecting your check-in and check-out dates, along with your occupancy needs. Don’t delay!
Contact the NICA Office at (813) 438-8926 if you do not have a login account or need your password. On-site registration will increase $100 per person.
Reserve your Marketplace Trade Show Booth for $1,095 (two attendee registrations, draped space and Exhibitor ID sign, 8’ x 10’ location, and more included) at nicainc.org/marketplace.
Become a NICA Marketplace Exhibitor
Marketplace Membership Promotion: When registering, add or become a new NICA Member for $100 and you will also get the $99 Early Bird rate ($80 savings)
June 2022 NICA News
19
Getting to Know Your Regional Council Members This month we spoke with the West Council’s newest member, Jodi Dirksen, who lives in Central Point, OR. Her responses are below: What is the name of your business and what products do you sell? The official name of our business is Rogue Concessions. However, you will recognize us from the name on our Concession trailers which is New York Style Italian Sausage. We specialize in a variety of sausage sandwiches topped with grilled onions, peppers and tomatoes. In addition to the sausage sandwiches, we also serve hot pastrami sandwiches and loaded gourmet fries. What is your annual route? We are based out of beautiful Central Point, OR and we participate in numerous shows across the West Coast in Oregon, Washington and California as well as some other surrounding states. How long have you been a Concessionaire?
Jodi Dirksen, West Council Member, at her food counter
had mentioned how they were looking to retire. My husband and I decided this was the career change we were looking for so we bought the business from them and began our Concessionaire journey. What do you enjoy about being a Concessionaire?
It has been quite the adventure but it has been an amazing journey. We are so happy we made the decision to become Concessionaires. If we hadn’t How and why did you get into the Concession decided to make the change, we would never business? have gotten to experience new places and meet My husband and I were on the hunt for a career all of the smiling faces. We get to continuously be a part of fun family-based atmospheres creating change. We had dinner one night with some of memories with our Customers and Vendors we our good friends who were the original owners of meet along the way. We have been welcomed into the New York Style Italian Sausage cart and they the Concessionaire business by all of the veteran Concessionaires with open arms and are thankful for the family we have become members of. My family and I started in the Concession business in 2017.
Tell us about your family, are they active in the business?
Jodi Dirksen, West Council Member, owns and operates Rogue Concessions with her husband Dan
20
June 2022 NICA News
It really does take a village and we have an amazing one. My husband, Dan, and I have two daughters that work with us. Our youngest daughter, Jamie, travels and works at all of the events with us. Our oldest daughter, Jessica, does all of the behind the scenes work and works inperson at events when she is able. We also have five grandkids who love to come watch us work at some of our events. We plan to keep the business
in the family and pass it down to our kids and grandkids as they get older.
What do you hope your Council accomplishes?
How long have you been a NICA Member? Who recruited you?
Sysco has been very beneficial for us as well.
I joined NICA in 2019 after talking with our friends Kim Barr, CCE and Daryl Whicheloe, CCE. They have been a tremendous help since we joined the Industry. Kim and Daryl are also the ones that recruited me to be a West Council Member.
Our favorite moments are the ones spent with our grandchildren. Free time is a rarity so we choose to spend any chance we can get with our grandkids. They are growing so quickly; we try to miss as little as possible and to be involved in their lives as much as we can. Currently my husband and I are teaching our grandson how to golf.
I hope to help my Council come up with ideas How has the Concession business changed since to improve the communication and relationships you first started out? between Fairs and Vendors. I believe by improving I have only been in the Concession business for communication we can help the Fairs have a better understanding of what we do and what will help five years; therefore, I have not experienced many not only Vendors, but the Fairs be successful as changes thus far. However, one of the biggest changes and challenges we have all had to face is well. the Pandemic. We were very fortunate and grateful What is your most valuable NICA benefit? to make it through those questionable times I have not gotten the opportunity to utilize all and be able to continue to do what we love. The of the benefits associated with NICA. However, only constant in life is change and I am eager to the greatest benefit I’ve utilized thus far is the continue to experience and learn new things in this networking with others on the benefits lists. ever-changing Industry. Everyone I’ve reached out to has been very helpful.
What inspired you to be a Council Member?
What’s something you like to do in your free time?
When I was asked to become a Regional Council Member, I saw it as the perfect opportunity We appreciate your responses. What is the best way for a NICA Member to reach you? to help make a difference as the Concessionaire world continues to change and grow. Via email at rogueconcessions@yahoo.com. ▲
“Renewals” continued from page 4 ►► Connie McGowin
Burke Geneseo, IL (2021) Brakebush Brothers, Inc. Auburn, IL (1994)
Chris Miladelaroca
MK Concessions Pinon Hills, CA (2019)
David Olivares
Kaliff Insurance San Antonio, Texas (2018)
James Otterbacher
Otterbacher Enterprises Riverview, FL (2016)
Alyssa Ownby
Coca-Cola Refreshments Tampa, FL (1999)
Phil Teague
Phil Poorman
Jim Teece
Marc Pagano
Mr. Sticky’s Inc. Antes Fort, PA (2014)
Michelle Palko
Mr. Sticky’s Inc. Antes Fort, PA (2014)
Bill Perlman
Tiki Pete’s Alaskan Grill Anchorage, AK (2018)
Riverside Foods Two Rivers, WI (2018)
Rick McMillen
Marcy Poorman
Funhouse FX Denison, TX (2021)
Brandi Rathbun
Cummington Fair Ashfield, Massachusetts (2019)
Vonda Riley
Wayne Petersen
Michael Short
Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center Salem, OR (2020)
Mike Petzel
Dawn Food Products Kansas City, MO (2006)
Jimmy’s Concessions, Inc. Creedmoor, NC (2018) Michael’s Surplus Concessions Stryker, OH (2014)
Steve Sweetin
Kim-Laine Fun Foods, LLC Springfield, MO (1995)
Hummel Group, Inc. Wadsworth, OH (2013) Ashland, OR (2019)
Joe Villari
Villari Food Group Warsaw, NC (2014)
Aaron Vincent
Metro Beverage, LLC New Boston, MI (2015)
Alisa Winschel
Ross Concessions Pizza Albion, PA (2021)
Larry Wynn
East Coast Concessions Summerville, SC (2015)
Clinton Yoder
LR Foods Lecanto, FL (2016)
Thank you to all 61 Renewal Members for your continued support! “Together We Can!” June 2022 NICA News
21
Revisiting My Home Fair Rey O’Day, Executive Director
Memorial Day is the day on which those who died in active military service are remembered. With gratitude we honor the sacrifice they and their families have made so all Americans may live safely in this free country. Memorial Day Weekend is the portal to Summer vacations, family gatherings and the return of the annual Fair Season. I took the opportunity to revisit the LA County Fair, my Home Fair only six blocks away. After being closed for two years, the Fair decided to spend its 100th Birthday by moving from the brutally hot month of September to the much cooler month of May. Happily, I could feel the surrounding community find the new dates and make plans to attend. Like many Fairs during the Pandemic, Fairplex hosted COVID testing, vaccination stations, immigrant children, and a first responder facility. Last summer in a parking lot they also produced a Bite-Sized Fair based on a selection of Food and Beverage, some rides, and a few Commercial Exhibits. I chose to spend most of my Memorial Day Weekend visiting and grazing the LA County Fair. It was Gotta love this sign… enlightening, fun, and full of wishful thinking! delightfully filling… yes, I gained one pound a day! And so began my 2022 “farmer tan.” I divided the 200 acres into three sections and visited one each day. In the overview, labor continues to be problematic for everyone—a hardy few are exhausted because they have been working long hours for weeks and many others come to work their first day and find it difficult to return for a second day of work. The result is long 22
June 2022 NICA News
lines everywhere, in which Fair guests seem to be standing in patiently. Demographically, there were lots of families— many of whom arrived with strollers—though the wheelchair/stroller rental folks say that stroller rentals are down and scooter rentals are up. The talk of each day was inflation and high prices. $8 corn dogs, $10 slices of pizza, $14 hamburgers, $22 turkey legs. I am not terribly price conscious but I turned down a $17 cookie and a $16 four slice caprese salad. The result is much more sharing of Food and Beverages. No one knows if they are making more money because of price increases or serving more people. They hope both are true. No one knows if/when lack of disposable income will keep folks away. Most Vendors are experiencing an increase in credit card usage and some are concerned about Fairs One of many signs that pushing cashless on stated, “We accept ALL guests that want/need to forms of payment!” pay with cash. My plan was to listen, learn what was different, and discover opportunities. •
Mary Lee has moved from cash registers to a POS system and likes the reports and speed of sending them to auditing.
•
Don was able to refresh the agriculture area and fill it with on trend beauty and plants.
•
The Pig Races moved and the new area is up in results and the area it left is down in results.
•
Irene redid payroll sheets because they could not be found in the two-year-old storage boxes and after she finished the new sheets, low and behold the old ones were found.
Carmel Dyer-Pittroff, CCE, The Original Australian Battered Potatoes and Foundation Trustee, Steve Vartanian, West Donna Ruhm, retired San Diego County Fair, Steve Vartanian, Council and Vartanian Concession Management, Rey O’Day, West Council, Dustine and Troy Stroh, Destroy Productions, Executive Director, and Chris Swanson, ICEE, celebrating Richard Castillo (center) becoming a new NICA Member and Gene Edick, Brogdon Concessions
Dale Smith, CCE and Cie Smith, Pink’s Hot Dogs
•
•
Rich Brander, Brander Enterprises preparing to make funnel cake or donut batter; we learned another of his enterprises is woodworking!
Andy Chan, Chan’s Concessions, pleased with his first time playing the LA County Fair
Lola is using restaurant style pagers instead of yelling out numbers and/or names when food is ready to be picked up. She had some great workshop suggestions for the upcoming NICA Marketplace. Rich said, “Talk to you after my workers arrive.” They did, and I returned. When I complimented the stunning wood charcuterie boards that he made during the Pandemic shutdown, I learned that besides doing it because he was bored to death, he has been working in wood his entire life and is quite accomplished at it. Who knew?
•
Carmel is glad to be back at this Fair after 25 years due to the date change.
•
Gigi created a seating area to help fill empty space in a commercial building.
•
Richard joined NICA as a hamburger Concessionaire and phone accessory Commercial Exhibitor.
•
Karen wanted a NICA application to sign up a neighbor.
Nate and Stephanie Janousek, Fun Biz Concessions with eightmonth-old Olivia
•
Dale needs rotator cuff surgery and is trying to figure out when he can do it.
•
Terri is training a new owner.
•
Roger has changed his layout and added a new trailer concept to his footprint. Mark’s outside stands are up and inside stands are down.
•
Troy and Dustine are enjoying a better location.
•
Andy was in Wisconsin the last time I saw him, so I was surprised and pleased to visit him on his first booking at this Fair. He wants to explore a refill cup purchase with NICA.
•
Olivia, Nate and Stephanie’s eight-month-old baby girl, is showing off her red hair and intently watching everything around her.
•
Ken and Jen have built a pick-up station to free up their ordering lines that properly holds food and electronically announces and shows pick up numbers on a screen. ►► “Fair” continued on page 24 June 2022 NICA News
23
“Fair” continued from page 23 ►► •
Ryan, one of our Generation Forward young owners that has grown up in the business, is very busy managing the fudge, sandwich, and ice cream stands he has recently purchased.
•
Mark proudly watched his daughters “run” the family equipment rental stand. When asked for my advice I said, “Be fast, firm, and friendly in your customer interactions.”
•
Justin is proud of the softball playing sisters, nieces, and grandchildren in his family and pleased to take on more responsibility for the family business while his Dad, Ashley, continues to help his Mom grow stronger following her stroke.
•
Dominic thoughtfully gave me a book “100 Years of the Los Angeles County Fair, 25 Years of Stories” by David Allen. Reading it has been a journey down memory lane.
•
Craig is back with several stands after a 15year absence with his son Zack who is the next generation. Frustratingly, the Health Department decided to make them the test case for their black netting of stands plan—a plan that puts them in conflict with the Fire Department.
•
Sherry, Assistant GM, Spectra Food Service, will have her hands full sorting out the problem before the 2023 Fair. She also did a good job of filling vacancies and placing this year’s Fair.
•
I interviewed Scott Shacklett, GM, Spectra Food Service, and Steve Vartanian, West Council Member and Food and Beverage Owner together and found my favorite story
Mark Lancaster, Vista Mobility and Foundation Trustee, with his daughters Lauren and Addy on a very busy day
24
June 2022 NICA News
Scott Shacklett, GM, Spectra Food Service, and Steve Vartanian, Vartanian Concession Management, shaking hands on their business partnership
of partnership between a Fair and an Owner. They were networking and sharing ideas at a convention. (Shameless Commercial... you too can do that at the NICA Marketplace in Las Vegas, November 6-8). Steve asked Scott what he was planning to do with the Food stands that Fairplex owned and was not using. Scott said he wanted to sell them to good Operators for a fair price and then work out a multi-year agreement for them to provide service for their events all year that would culminate in building their brand. The two agreed to give the plan a try. Steve purchased the stand, remodeled it to become Rowdy’s (hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, and other tasty items served with fun and good service), operated it during the Fair to give it a test run and cash flow. Scott offered sensible payment dates, a multi-year agreement, and upcoming dates to book. When I asked the two of them how it was going, they both answered “Fantastic” at the same time. My visit confirms that our members are real people living their lives and serving customers in a business that is finding its way back. I could write volumes about the shared challenges of opening any event after a two-year absence, but the most important thing is Fair guests arrived happy to be there and spend their time and money, and the Vendors were glad to be open, even slammed some of the time, serving customers. Back stage Fairs and Suppliers and Vendors were working together to help each other as best they could, knowing that Together was the only way they were going to be successful. My visits reminded me why I love my job, what a difference NICA makes in our Industry, and how much I enjoy and am proud of our members! WE are practicing “Surviving While Truly Thriving” Together. ▲
800-658-1652 620-342-6354 fax 620-342-8910
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June 2022 NICA News
25
From the Camera Roll...
Craig and Zack Sawyers, J.J. and Sons, working together at the LA County Fair
Ryan Needham, Needham Concessions, moving supplies between several different spots
Jackie Stough, Central Forida Fair and YPI Chair, and AJ Ross, Ross Concessions, at the NICA-sponsored YPI Mix N Mingle event
Sherry Flores, Assistant GM, Spectra Food Service, and Scott Shacklett, GM, Spectra Food Service (who were both first hired by Rey O’Day over 20 years ago!)
Donna Ruhm, retired San Diego County Fair, Kim Palmieri, RCS Director of Food Administration, and Joy Pickett, RCS CFO
A huge thank you to Henry Mitchell for serving on the East Council; he received his six-year service plaque!
Lola Ramirez, JLQ, handing out one of her pagers with instructions about how far the customer can wander
Kate Turner, IAFE, and Jeff Ross, CCE, Ross Concessions, at this year’s Fair Partners Shootout
Tom Fogarty (right), is a retired Novelty and Food and Beverage Concessionaire, who served Busch Gardens-LA, Dodger Stadium, Rose Bowl, Rose Parade and LA County Fair
Have you attended a NICA-related event? Send your photos or coverage to communications@nicainc.org 26
June 2022 NICA News
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Whatever we do for you...Service is at the core of all we do since 1941!
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June 2022 NICA News
2022 Membership Contest Leaderboard* Renewal Members ($2000 Gift of Travel) For a complete list, visit www.nicainc.org/contests
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Rod Beach............................................................................. 1 Chris Conkle, CCE................................................................. 1 Russ Harrison, CCE............................................................... 1 Don Long, CCE....................................................................... 1 Timothy Packer..................................................................... 1
Referrals: Regional Councils Ryann Newman..................................................................... 2 Ryan Hagy.............................................................................. 1 Steve Vartanian..................................................................... 1
Referrals: Board of Directors Tom Hodson, CCE................................................................. 8 Jacqueline Bradbury, CCE.................................................... 4 Phil Delahoyde....................................................................... 2 Kathy Ross, CCE.................................................................... 2 Jay Wells, CCE....................................................................... 2 Brandy Arredondo, CCE........................................................ 1 Sandy Class, CCE.................................................................. 1 Dan Lusenhop....................................................................... 1 Vincent Nelson, CCE............................................................. 1 Daryl Whicheloe, CCE............................................................ 1
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June 2022 NICA News
National Independent Concessionaires Association, Inc.
For Off ice Use Only
1043 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, FL 33511 Phone: (813) 438-8926 • Fax: (813) 803-8460 Email: nica@nicainc.org • Website: www.nicainc.org
Date: #: q Member Renewal
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION q Mr. q Mrs. q Ms.
First Name:
Last Name:
Name of Business: Physical Address:
City :
State:
Zip:
Mailing Address:
City :
State:
Zip:
Primary Phone Number :
Cell / Secondary Phone Number :
Email:
Website:
Age Range: q 20-35 q 35-50 q 51-70 q 70+
q Other:
NICA News Preference: q Mail q Email
Referred by :
Annual Membership Fees Associate Membership
Regular Membership q
A person or entity who provides services to the Concession Industry.
Regular Member..............................................................$150
q
Fair / Festival (over 75,000 attendance)......................$150
q
Fair / Festival (under 75,000 attendance)...................$100
q Retired Member................................................................. $50
q
Manufacturer / Distributor / Supplier...........................$150
Business / Group Membership
q
Carnival / Circus Operator..............................................$150
q
Association / Special Services......................................$150
q Additional Member..........................................................$100 q Employee Member............................................................. $75
Includes five Memberships in one: one Regular Member, one Additional Member, and three Employee Members ($475 value).
q
Business / Group.............................................................$400
Additional Member : _______________________________________ Employee Member 1: ______________________________________ Employee Member 2: ______________________________________ Employee Member 3: ______________________________________ Regular membership categories Check a category below and provide a detailed description of your company’s services in the next column under Business Description.
Business Description Provide a detailed description of your business, products, and/or services below. This information will be used for your entry in the annual NICA Membership Directory and as keywords to search for your business on the NICA website.
________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________
q
Food / Beverage
q
Commercial Exhibitors / Retail / Merchants
payment
q
Attractions / Entertainment
q
Cash q
q
Games
q
Visa
q
Guest Services
Credit Card #:
General Routing Information List all states / provinces where you conduct your business.
___________________________________________________________
q
Check
q
Mastercard
Security Code:
Money Order q
#:
American Express
q
Discover
Expiration Date:
TOTAL:
___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance The NICA-sponsored $10,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance Policy is provided to Regular Members. List a beneficiary and a phone number below.
Beneficiary : _________________________ Phone : _____________
Applicant’s signature
Date
Signature of Credit Card Holder q I authorize NICA to charge the agreed amount listed above to my credit card information provided above. I agree I will pay for this purchase in accordance with the issuing bank cardholder agreement.
Automatic Renewal Option q I authorize NICA to make automatic renewal payments for my Membership using the credit card information above. I shall update NICA with all changes to payment information or my intent to cancel automatic renewal payments prior to my next renewal month.
National Independent Concessionaires Association, Inc. 1043 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, FL 33511 Time Sensitive Mail • June 2022 Issue
PRSRT STD U. S. POSTAGE PAID STEVENS POINT WI PERMIT NO. 272