Iowa Fairs Wrap Up
The Association of Iowa Fairs enjoyed another near record turnout for its 2009 Conference and Annual Meeting held on December 11, 12 and 13, at the Holiday Inn Airport in Des Moines.
Not to be deterred by an early week snow storm, a large contingent of representatives from the 106 fairs in Iowa, plus representatives of the 130 plus associate members converged onto the Conference Center for a weekend of learning, sharing and fun. Attendance at the Conference was at a near record, with 1,481 people registered for the event.
Spouse's activity on Friday afternoon included a tour "Hall of Pride" and Des Moines Central Library, walk though the Gate Way West Sculpture Garden and shopping at East Village in Des Moines.
The opening business meeting of the Association was held on Friday afternoon, followed by Dr. Larry Helm’s keynote address, "Running With Scissors, Why Smart Fair People Do Dumb Things and How To Prevent Them." Helm's proved to be one of the highlights of Conference, as evidenced by the enthusiastic response from a full room of attendees.
After Dr Helm's keynote address Lonie Mezera, Iowa Tourism Office, hosted a session entitled that focused on the partnership of the Iowa Tourism Office and Iowa fairs. Also held Friday evening was a non-stage showcase highlighting associate members that specialize in grounds attractions, and a reception honoring retiring Iowa State Fair Board members Don Greiman and Dave Huinker.
The "Partlow Reception" was held Friday early evening for all members of the Association, which was followed by the Awards Banquet. Awards presented at the banquet included the "Fairman of the Year" award, was presented to Don Konopasek, of the Plymouth County Fair in Le Mars, and the "Leo Overland Memorial Showman of the Year" award was presented to Mark Sparks of Triangle Talent in Louisville Kentucky. Allison Reynolds from Indianola in Warren County and Ryan Schroeder from Coon Rapids in Carroll County were each presented with a $1000 college scholarship, courtesy of Staats Custom Awards of Mt. Pleasant and the Association of Iowa Fairs. Also honored at the Banquet were the 2009 inductees into the Association of Iowa Fairs' Hall of Fame. Inductees were Tom & Nancy Evans, Evans United Shows of Plattsburg Missouri and Subby Anzaldo of Anzaldo Entertainment of Omaha Nebraska.
"Blue Ribbon Fair" awards were also presented at the banquet. These went to the Boone County Fair, Boone; Dickinson County, Spirit Lake; Fayette County Fair, West Union; Page County Fair, Clarinda; Monroe County Fair, Albia and Clinton County Fair, De Witt. This award is present to one fair in each of the six fair districts in Iowa each year. The fair must have shown progress in providing service to the 4-H and FFA programs in their community, plus show distinguished service to the community in both fair and non-fair areas.
The Saturday schedule was packed with seminars, workshops, a breakfast meeting for AIF associate members and the ever-popular entertainment showcase. Saturday workshops and seminars included two sessions hosted by Dr. Larry Helms, whose topics were "Managing at the Speed of Change" and "Tough Times Don't Last, Tough People Do;" "Tossed Salad" and "New Faces in New Places" moderated by Association Directors; "County Extension Offices, Taking a New Direction" presented by Jerry Hopperstad and Dennis Johnson, Worth County Fair; "Pitbulls and Butterflies" presented by John Harms and Joe Yedlik, Jones County; "2010 Fair Ideas" presented by Arlette Hollister, Superintendent of Food, Iowa State Fair; and "Motorsports Events" hosted by Rob Baker, R&R Total Productions.
Also on Saturday Kasi Koehler and Amy Haskin-Blaskovich of Bilbrey Insurance Service presented two sessions focusing on the Iowa Communities Assurance Pool, its coverages and benefits. ICAP offers casualty and property coverage packages to Iowa Fairs. This capability came about after Iowa Code section 670.7 was amended in 2008; thus, designating fairs as municipalities for the purpose of joining a local government risk pool. The AIF Board of Directors unanimously endorsed ICAP as the Association-sponsored property & casualty coverage provider for all Iowa Fairs. To date, 41 Iowa Fairs have joined ICAP.
Saturday evening featured the very popular "Social A'Fair and Auction." This included a large social and supper attended by over 700 Association members. The auction had 152 items donated from member fairs and associates. The proceeds from the auction are used for expenses that are incurred by the Association in its efforts to secure legislation that benefits the fair industry in Iowa. This year the auction raised just over $18,800. Following the Social and Auction was the "President's Reception," hosted by 2009 AIF Board President Dave Hoffman and his wife Mary Kay, and members of the Plymouth County Fair Board.
Sunday morning started out with a church service dedicated to deceased fair board members in Iowa followed by the popular "Fairman's Breakfast." Following the breakfast members of the Plymouth County Fair Board presented a workshop "Volunteers, the Mainstay of a Fair." Another workshop, "My Space, Facebook, Twitter and Blogs," was hosted by Heidi Abel, Linn County Fair.
Another spouses' activity was held Sunday morning. The "Butterfly Lady," Kathleen Ziemer of Des Moines, presented her "Butterflitz of Iowa" program.
Business meetings held during the Conference included the Association's Annual Meeting, the Iowa State Agricultural Society Annual Meeting, Carnival members' meeting, Iowa Horse Racing Association meeting, Iowa Foundation for Agriculture Advancement meeting and AIF Associate's meeting.
Association directors elected to the Board include Dave Hoffman of Le Mars in Plymouth County, Tricia Rosendahl of Eagle Grove in Wright County, Joe Yedlik of Walker in Jones County, John Straight of Logan in Harrison County, Mark Drost of Tracy in Marion County, and Jim Sloan of Eldon in Wapello County. The 2010 officers of the Association Board will find John Straight of Logan serving as President, Darwin Gaudian of Primghar serving as 1st Vice President, Jim Mohr of Coon Rapids serving as 2nd Vice President, and Dave Hoffman of Le Mars will serve as Past President. Tom & Sue Barnes of Cresco serve as the Association’s Executive Director and Executive Secretary/Treasurer, respectively.
Iowa State Fair Board directors were also elected during the State Agricultural Society meeting, held during the Conference. Those elected as directors to the Board include Bill Neubrand of Le Mars, Alan Brown of Hampton, John Harms of Monticello, CW Thomas of Guthrie Center, Randy Brown of Osceola, and Bob Schlutz of Columbus Junction. Officers of the Iowa State Fair Board for 2010 will be Randy Brown serving as President, Gary McConnell serving as Vice President; and Jeanne Partlow serving as the Treasurer. Gary Slater is the Secretary/Manager of the Iowa State Fair.
The 2010 Conference and Annual Meeting of the Association of Iowa Fairs will be held on December 10, 11 and 12 at the Airport Holiday Inn, on Fleur Drive in Des Moines.
The Association of Iowa Fairs serves as the organizational body of the fair industry in Iowa. It has as its members all of the 105 county fairs plus the Iowa State Fair, and 130 or so associate members such as chambers, festivals, carnivals, entertainers, agencies, festivals, concessionaires, special attractions and suppliers to the industry. Together, the members of the Association work together to promote and strengthen the fair industry in Iowa.
