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56th Annual Convention Wrap Up
The Florida Federation of Fairs & Livestock Shows, Inc.
56th annual convention – entitled “Lights, Camera, Convention….!” was
held in Jacksonville on April 19 – 21.
Perfect weather provided a wonderful day for the pre-convention golf tournament
fundraiser held at Queens Harbour Yacht and Country Club on April 18th. The
day started with lunch and access to the beautiful course and a field of 88
golfers. A great afternoon of golf was followed by a sumptuous dinner and prize
drawings. Martha Levereock, tournament chairman, assisted by the Golf Tournament
Committee have done a superb job for the past 2 years in putting together the
annual tournament and raising a great deal of money for the Federation.
Thursday morning, things started off early as the Trade Show area took shape,
and the Board of Directors honored the Past Presidents at a breakfast. A Board
meeting followed. The afternoon provided dedicated Trade Show time, and also
educational panels including a sessions on Current Issues with Swine Shows,
Assuming the Role of the Promoter, and Master Planning – Its Your Future.
Thursday evening, all registered delegates received a complimentary ticket
to the President’s Party. The party, in honor of outgoing President Vicki
Chouris was sensational. Auction chairwoman Gayle Hart (Greater Jacksonville
Agricultural Fair) and her committee created a spectacular themed environment
in the beautiful setting of the historical Florida Theatre. The evening featured
several showcases and a live auction. The event was sponsored by Frank Zaitshik
(Wade Shows) and Charlie Smith with Bullock, Smith, and Partners provided free
drink tickets for all partygoers. The event was a definite success!
Friday morning, delegates arrived in great spirits for the official opening
session of the convention. After a welcome by Vicki Chouris, and a beautiful
version of the National Anthem played by Music City Brass, Associate members
gave a brief introduction about their businesses. Then keynote speaker Carol
Scofield entertained and educated attendees with her keynote address. Following
Carol’s motivational talk, delegates spent the rest of day between the
Trade Show and educational sessions.
Saturday morning began with a continental breakfast and the Federation annual
business meeting.
The afternoon was bustling with educational topics, and the final Trade Show
session, as the FFF Board of Directors convened with the new board to elect
officers. The new Officers and Directors are:
Alta Mosley – President, Southwest Florida Fair
Doris Graska – 1st Vice President, Citrus County Fair
Ellany Johnson - 2nd Vice President, Florida Strawberry Festival
Artie McIntyre - Secretary/Treasurer, Highlands County Fair
Vicki Chouris, CFE - Immediate Past President, South Florida
Fair
Giles Ellis, CFE, Florida State Fair
Gayle Hart, Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair
Jeanne Keaton, St. Lucie Co. Fair - At Large
Martha Leverock, CFE, Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair
Dan West, Manatee Co. Fair
Phil Clark, The Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition, Inc.
Jim Ward, Pasco County Fair
Regina Sprague, Santa Rosa County Fair
Tim O'Brien, O'Brien’s Food Service – Associate Director5
Jill Eaton, Kandu & Company – Associate Director
Don Coker, FL Dept. Of Agriculture - Farmers Market Division - Honorary
Frankie Hall, FL Farm Bureau - Honorary
Dr. Larry Arrington, Florida Cooperative Extension Service – Honorary
At the annual banquet on Saturday evening, awards were presented to various
individuals. These included:
• A special President’s award to the Greater Jacksonville Fair for all
their hard work putting together the very successful annual golf tournament
fundraiser for the past two years.
• A special Thank You presentation to Rita De Mier with the South Florida Fair
for all her assistance to the Federation in helping with the web-site, printing,
newsletter, etc.
• The Associate of the Year award (a 4 year old award) was presented to Vicki
Oler – Oler Productions. They have supported the Federation and fair industry
for two generations.
• The Florida fairs awarded as Blue Ribbon Fairs (named below)
• The Florida Fairs Hall of Fame inductee for 2007 was Jack Griffith of
The Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition, Inc., an Honorary Life Member and
a Federation Past President.
• Sponsoring the most new members: Theresa Agricola with the South Florida
Fair.
Following the presentation of awards, President Vicki Chouris turned the gavel
over to Alta Mosley from the Southwest Florida Fair. She noted that she is
looking forward to her year as President and sees this as an awesome opportunity
to work for the betterment of our industry. She thanked her many mentors in
the fair industry and stated that she will be looking for their guidance now
more than ever. After the entertainment showcase, everyone was invited to a
reception honoring the new President and Hall of Fame Inductee where the festivities
continued on.
The hospitality suite has been a continued success at the convention. The associate
members hosted the suite on Friday night and Fairs hosted the other evenings.
Everyone seemed to enjoy the opportunity to socialize and network after hours.
2006
Blue Ribbon Fairs
Citrus County Fair
Clay County Fair
Columbia County Fair
Desoto County Fair Florida State Fair
Florida Strawberry Festival
Highlands County Fair
Kissimmee Valley Fair
Lake County Fair
Manatee County Fair
The Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition, Inc.
Northeast Florida Fair
Pasco County Fair
Pensacola Interstate Fair
South Florida Fair
Southwest Florida Fair
St. Lucie County Fair
Volusia County Fair & Youth Show
A Sincere Thank You to Our Convention Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsors:
Wade Shows, Frank Zaitshik -For sponsoring the President’s Party
Reithoffer Shows, Rick Reithoffer - For sponsoring the reception for the Incoming
President
Our Other Sponsors:
The Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition, Inc., Phil Clark - For sponsoring
the reception for the Hall of Fame Recipient
Florida Theatre, Eric Hart - For providing the Florida Theatre for the President’s
Party
Bullock, Smith & Partners, Charlie Smith - For sponsoring the beverages
at the President’s Party
Capitol International Productions, David Musselman - For sponsoring refreshments
in the Trade Show
K & K Insurance, Joe Repass - For sponsoring dessert at Friday’s luncheon
Staats, Andy Zinkle - For sponsoring the Scholarship
Triangle Talent, Dave Snowden and Mark Sparks - For sponsoring the Continental
Breakfast
Kitchen Craft International, Dave Hurley - For sponsoring the Past President’s
Breakfast
American Tent, Tom Hood - For sponsoring give-aways at the Business Meeting
O’Briens Food Service, Tim & Justine O’Brien - For sponsoring
give-aways for the luncheons
Duttera Sound, John Duttera - For sponsoring the Ag Awards
Our In-Kind Sponsors:
Fair Publishing for providing the ribbons for the name badges
Indian Ticket for providing the tickets for the Convention
Full Range Audio for providing the sound and lighting
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