President’s Message Dan Lusenhop, President
Wow, where has this year gone! I’ve had a busy season between working events and hitting the road on behalf of NICA; our exposure to the Industry has never been so great! I am supported by a leadership team that are the shoulders of this organization, lead by our Executive Director Michelle Card who joined me at the Minnesota State Fair to network with our members, and meet Fair Management and staffers to discuss important Industry topics. She will also be heading out to Perry, GA and Raleigh, NC this month among other Fairs. Our Executive Manager of Councils Rey O’Day has been traveling to promote the NICA message and spirit to those she has crossed paths with this Summer! She has been to Salt Lake City, Boise, Puyallup, Costa Mesa, Minnesota, Bakersfield, San Diego, and Pomona. Rounding out her tour for the season will be Dallas and Phoenix. Jessica Gottsche, who is our Coordinator for both the
Northeast and Southeast Councils, has also been out in contact with our members at Erie County Fair, Delaware State Fair, Dutchess County Fair, and The Big E! She will soon be meeting with our newly formed Southeast Council to help tabulate the votes from our upcoming election. Ladies, “Thank You!” for your tireless efforts and the many miles you travel to support our members and strengthen our motto: “Together We Can!” One of my personal goals was to continue to reach out to my fellow Concessionaires and listen to their needs and concerns. Whether we’ve visited a small County Fair with a handful of Vendors or a State Fair with hundreds of Operators, we have listened to your Voice and documented issues of concern to help educate and develop working solutions. My plan is to bring these items to the working Board Committees, as well as the Management Advisory Committee that will meet at the IAFE Convention in San Antonio in November. I am honored to have met so many new faces, reconnected with others, and heard the family stories of how this Industry has touched so many lives. ▲
Director’s Voice
Don Delahoyde, CCE, 2nd Vice President
edge of our Industry, knowing what changes are happening in regards to government, Fairs As our season wraps up themselves, and your peers in the business. At in the West, we reflect on some conventions, you will have opportunities to the happenings of the year. socialize with Fair executives and staff; this is a We have had serious fires in time when locations, new menu items, etc. can be California and the West causing discussed in a more relaxed atmosphere. All the lots of people to stay in. This conventions feature Trade Shows with the latest has affected sales at many and greatest. Both of the NICA events have Food Fairs, as well as contributing to Shows as well as food and trade education. lots of very warm days. I am responsible for the NICA team putting on We are now thinking of our Convention next year’s Business Expo, which offers topics Season; if you haven’t been to a meeting of our that are relevant to our members. Here are some trade, I would encourage you to do so. There is of the topics we are looking at for 2019: some expense involved, but most trips can have 1. What is the Right Mix of Food at the Fair? pleasure mixed with a few days of business and education. As independent business people, ►► “Voice” continued on page 6 sometimes it is difficult to stay on the leading October 2018 NICA News
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