74th Annual Florida Federation of Fairs Convention & Zone 2 Meeting

8:30-9:00 a.m. First Timers – REGENCY 3 & 4

8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Trade Show Setup – BALLROOM A through D

8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Registration Open – REGISTRATION DESK

8:45-9:15 a.m. Continental Breakfast – REGENCY FOYER

9:15-10:45 a.m. Opening Session & Business Meeting – REGENCY 5 through 8
Followed by Fair Leaders Panel with Q & A
Panelists: Rick Vymlatil, Bill Olson, Vicki Chouris and Terry Atchley. Moderated by Jim Ward

11:00 – 11:30 a.m. Safety & Security Table – REGENCY 1
Stop by and chat with us! We will be here to help should you have
questions in reference to security and safety at your grounds.

• Leadership/Management: Current Trends – REGENCY 3 & 4
  The world is changing at a lightening pace, but is your festival keeping up? In a discussion-friendly format, this session takes a look at demographic, societal, technological, economic and industry trends that have and will continue to change every facet of festival management, promotion and programming.
  Penny McBride, IRG, National Event Management School, trainer for IFEA’s Certified Festival & Event Executive Certification Program and International Association of Fairs & Expos’ Institute of Fair Management
• Volunteers: How do you develop and organize an effective Volunteer Program – REGENCY 5 & 6
  Join us for a session designed to empower organizers to effectively recruit and manage volunteers for festivals and Fairs. Whether you’re a seasoned or new to the scene, this session will give you strategies to attract, engage, and retain volunteers. Learn best practices in volunteer recruitment, motivation, and coordination.
  Brooke Warnock, Florida Strawberry Festival
• Leadership/YP: Igniting Engagement: Empowering Young Professionals' in Fair Leadership – REGENCY 7 & 8
  Young professionals are the future of the Fair industry, and their active involvement is essential for innovation, sustainability, and growth. Attract, engage, and retain young leaders at your Fair.
  Panelists: Kayla Cawley, Entertainment Manager, South Florida Fair, Lynann Hudson, Agribusiness Manager, Florida State Fair & Jacqueline Stough, Livestock Education Manager, Central Florida Fair.
• Leadership/Operations: Can your FAIR create a positive business culture with your Concession & Ride Operator partners? SALONS 11 & 12
  Your concessionaires and ride operators aren’t just vendors—they’re vital partners in your Fair’s success. This session explores how fostering a positive, collaborative business culture with these key players can improve communication, enhance guest experience, and boost your bottom line.
  Eddie Cora, President & CEO, Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo
• Operations/Insurance: How Can Smaller Fairs Get the Insurance They Need? SALONS 13 & 14
  In this discussion we will cover all lines of insurance from General Liability to Work Comp. We encourage each of you to bring your current insurance policies and all the questions your teams have been asking for the last few years.
  Andrew Vandepopulier, Haas & Wilkerson

1:00-2:00 p.m. Chow & Chat: A space for affinity groups to discuss their issues while
having lunch
Ag & Competitive Exhibits – Salon 17
Entertainment – Salon 18

• Finance: Swipe, Tap, and Trust: How to Stay One Step Ahead of Ticket Fraud – REGENCY 3 & 4
  Fraudsters never take a day off—so why should your fraud prevention strategy? From friendly fraud to true fraud and everything in between, we’ll break down the latest scams targeting ticket sales and show you how to fight back.
  Austin Castañeda, Client/Product Manager, Saffire
• Leadership: Leading with Impact: Strategies for Empowering Fair Leaders and Building Thriving Communities
  – REGENCY 5 & 6
  Discover powerful strategies to inspire and empower leaders within your Fair organization. Learn how impactful leadership drives community engagement, volunteer growth, and long-term success.
  Mike Rogalsky, COO, Florida State Fair.
• Leadership/HR: Control Freaks Anonymous – REGENCY 7 & 8
  Hi...my name is Festival Planner and I'm a control freak. To be a success in the event world, one has to be a detail-oriented professional who makes sure hundreds of other people get everything done in time to open the gates. But the Control Freak style of management can quickly lead to burn out, lack of engagement, trust issues and stagnant growth. This 8-Step Program can help curb those tendencies to create dynamic teams inspired by a visionary leader, versus managed by a box-checker. Learn to delegate authority over tasks, build peer accountability, provide meaningful feedback, reward big-picture thinking and create the next generation of leaders that will sustain your event.
  Penny McBride, IRG, National Event Management School, trainer for IFEA’s Certified Festival & Event Executive Certification Program and International Association of Fairs & Expos’ Institute of Fair Management
• Marketing: Influencer Marketing Do’s and Don’ts – SALONS 11 & 12
  Contracts, Insurance and Other Considerations when including Influencers in your Marketing strategies
  Panelists: Anne-Alise Pietruska, Partner, Mellowship Entertainment; Director of Marketing, Eastern States Exposition (Home of The Big E), Michelle Pretto, Director, Marketing and Entertainment, Miami-Dade County Fair, Monica Monroe, Event & Sponsorship Coordinator Montgomery County Ag Fair, Lance Fuchs, Foster & Fuchs, P.A.
  Moderator: Jessica Fernandez, Marketing Manager, South Florida Fair.
• Young Professionals: Ment-A-Minute – SALONS 13 & 14
  Get ready for fast-paced inspiration in this high-energy mentoring session designed just for young professionals! Ment-A-Minute pairs up-and-coming Fair members with seasoned Fair veterans for a series of rapid-fire, one-on-one conversations.
  Presented by the Florida Federation of Fair Young Professionals Initiative.

3:00-5:00 p.m. Trade Show Open, Networking, Silent Auction, Showcases, Door Prizes & Happy Hour 🍻

Dinner on your own

8:30-11:00 p.m. President’s Party & Zone II Welcome Reception in 3NINE.
Sponsored by Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair Association, Inc. 🍷 🎉

8:00-8:50 a.m. Coffee & Connections: Marketing/PR/Sponsorships – SALON 17
8:00-8:50 a.m. Coffee & Connections: Operations/Security & Safety – SALON 18
8:00-9:00 a.m. Zone II Meeting - Zone 2 Meeting - REGENCY 3 & 4
Zone 2 Meeting followed by Q&A with David Grindle, President and CEO, IAFE

• Operations/Marketing: Smart Strategies for Tight Budgets–REGENCY 3 & 4
  Learn how to apply big-fair strategies on a tight budget to boost attendance, streamline operations, and enhance your fair’s presence without breaking the bank.
  Scott Hillyer, Founder & CEO, Fairs.com
• Entertainment: Spotlight on Success: Best Practices in Entertainment - REGENCY 7 & 8
  Explore proven strategies for selecting, booking, and managing Fair entertainment that draws crowds and keeps them engaged. Learn how to build strong relationships with performers and navigate contracts, logistics, and on-site coordination.
  Michael Rogalsky, Chief Operating Officer, Florida State Fair
• Management/HR: Married to your events: Navigating your personal relationships when you’re in the Live Event Industry. SALONS 11 & 12
  Working in the live event industry is more than just a job—it’s a lifestyle. The long hours, unpredictable schedules, and constant demands can challenge even the strongest personal relationships. In this insightful panel discussion, industry professionals Austin, Jodi, Bettina, and Suzanne will share their unique perspectives on balancing love, family, and friendships while thriving in the fast-paced world of live events.
  Panelists: Austin Castañeda, Jodi Buresh and Bettina Giallanza, Saffire; Suzanne Holcomb, Fair Manager, Greater Hillsborough County Fair.
• Operations/Public Relations: Implementing a minor policy, bag policy and other tools to increase Fair safety and patron satisfaction.- SALONS 13 & 14
  This session will explore how to successfully implement policies restricting bags, the entrance of unaccompanied minors (17 and under) and other safety measures for your Fair without loss of revenue or community backlash.
  Michael Tipton, President/CEO, Central Florida Fair

• • Operations/Concessions: Balancing the Thicket of Fees: Credit Card and Convenience Fees, Processing Fees, Application Fees, and Fees on top of Fees! – REGENCY 3 & 4
    It seems endless for both the Customer and the Vendor. These fees leave the Customer with less to spend, too. How do we manage these fees? Let’s share ideas to lower or eliminate fees to create a better experience for each.
    Kathy Ross, CCE, NICA 2025 Hall of Fame Recipient.
  • Dynamic Leadership - This is the ultimate question: Are leaders born, are they made, or are they inspired? – REGENCY 7 & 8
    Diane Linderman’s talk explores her powerful journey of working with troubled teenagers—discovering the strengths and weaknesses in each one. Over her 40-year span of mentoring and guiding young people, she’s come to believe that all three possibilities can be true.
    Dianne Linderman, Founder, Great American Entertainment Company; Motivational Speaker; Podcast host of Everything That Matters.
  • Entertainment: How do you gauge what your patron's interests are to build an overall entertainment plan? - SALONS 11 & 12
    Learn how to identify what your patrons really want when it comes to entertainment. Walk away with practical strategies to create a balanced, engaging entertainment plan that keeps guests coming back.
    Panelists: Cheryl Flood, CEO, Florida State Fair, John Juliano, Jr., CFE, Mellowship Entertainment, Tracy Thompson, Board Member and Chairman of the Annual Fair Committee, Pasco County Fair.
    Moderated by Kayla Cawley, Entertainment Manager, South Florida Fair.
  • Ag/Livestock: Showorks Training I – SALONS 13 & 14
    Open to Showorks users at any experience level. Hands on training. Bring your laptop!
    Jacqueline Stough, Livestock Education Manager, Central Florida Fair

12:00-1:00 p.m. – Chow & Chat: A space for affinity groups to discuss their issues while
having lunch
Marketing/PR/Sponsorships – Salon 17
Security & Safety – Salon 18

1:00 – 1:30 p.m. Safety & Security Table – REGENCY 1
Stop by and chat with us! We will be here to help should you have
questions about security and safety at your grounds.

• Operations/Concessions: Bridging the Gap: The Evolution of the Fair Concessions Industry & the Next Generation of Leaders. - REGENCY 3 & 4
  The fair concessions industry has evolved significantly over the years, from traditional setups to modern operations that incorporate technology, branding, and changing consumer preferences. This panel will explore how the industry has shifted, what lessons can be learned from past generations, and how young entrepreneurs are stepping up to carry on the legacy while adapting to new challenges.
  Panelists: Ryan Hagy, Owner & Head Chef, DeAnna’s Steak Sundaes; Cary Hester, CFE IFMG, Assistant Fair Manager Carolina Classic Fair; Kevin McGrath II, President of The Best Around Concessions.
  Moderator, Kathy Ross, CCE, NICA 2025 Hall of Fame Recipient.
• Volunteers: Building A Strong Volunteer Base: Recruitment & Retention Strategies – REGENCY 5 & 6
  Volunteers are the heart of every successful Fair—but finding and keepingdedicated helpers can be a challenge. In this session, we’ll explore creative, proven strategies to recruit new volunteers, inspire continued involvement, and recognize contributions in meaningful ways.
  Stacy Wakefield, Volunteer Services Manager, South Florida Fair
• Marketing/Sponsorships: Social Media Marketing Best Practices & Latest Trends – REGENCY 7 & 8
  Step up your social game with a fresh look at what’s working right now. From AI tools to scroll-stopping content and smart influencer strategies, this session covers the latest trends and creative tactics to take your event from unnoticed to unforgettable. Whether you’re a pro or juggling multiple roles, you’ll leave with practical tips and content ideas to boost reach and engagement.
  Peyton Moritz, Marketing Engagement Specialist, Florida State Fair.
• Entertainment: Communication Expectations between Entertainers and the Fair – SALONS 11 & 12
  Clear, timely communication is key to successful partnerships between entertainers and Fairs. This session will cover best practices, expectations, and common pitfalls to help both sides build strong, professional relationships from booking to showtime.
  Panelists: Dennis Lee, The Dennis Lee Show & Brad Matchett, Brad Comedy Hypnotist.
  Moderated by Josh Knotts, Extreme Illusions & Escapes.
• Ag/Livestock: Biosecurity measures in today's show world/Blood Borne Pathogens & USDA Regulations for animal health in Livestock Shows – SALONS 13 & 14
  George Fernandez, DVM, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,
  Daniel Wolf, Area Veterinarian in Charge, Veterinary Services, Field Operations I District 1, Florida, United States Department of Agriculture.

• Operations/Safety: Emergency Plans from Implementation to Disaster – REGENCY 3 & 4
  This session is about how to start an emergency plan, how to implement the plan during your Fair, and what happens to your plan when a disaster strikes.
  Panelists: Michele Cook, Clay County Sheriff, Matt LaSchuma, Director of Security & Special Projects, South Carolina Fair, Michael Rogalsky, COO,Florida State Fair, Jason Villiers, Assistant Director of Public Safety, South Florida Fair.
  Moderator, Randy Crone, SWFLC Fair.
• Concessions/Exhibits: Modernizing commercial vendor programs. – REGENCY 5 & 6
  This session will go in-depth on the best ways to modernize commercial vendor programs and will also discuss strategies to maximize fair revenue from the programs.
  Michael Bleau, CEO & Co-Founder, EventHub
• Leadership/Operations: Your grounds and disaster response legal obligations (FP&L, State, County, etc.) – REGENCY 7 & 8
  Join us in a round table duscussion about your rights and obligations when your power company, the State or county take over your fairgrounds during a disaster.
  Danny Alfonso, Manager, Manatee County Fair; Rory Martin, President, Sarasota County Ag Fair, Lance Fuchs, Foster & Fuchs, P.A.
• Marketing: Digital Marketing Blueprint: Craft a Winning Strategy for Your Fair – SALONS 13 & 14
  In this session, you’ll learn how to develop a comprehensive digital marketing plan for your fair’s online campaigns. Discover how to refine your messaging, effectively budget your advertising dollars, and optimize your approach to timing and targeting. We’ll explore top platforms like email, Meta (Facebook/Instagram), and Google Ads, and cover key topics such as budget management, performance tracking, and analytics. Leave with actionable insights and a clear strategy to enhance your fair’s digital presence and increase ticket sales.
  Bryant Chappell, Marketing Strategist, Rockhouse Partners/E-Tix

2:30 - Exhibitors/Associates allowed into Trade Show area to prepare for opening

3:00-5:00 p.m. Trade Show Open, Silent Auction, Showcases, Door Prizes & Happy Hour 🍻

4:45 - $$$ Great Cash Giveaway 💵 in Trade Show

Dinner on your own

8:00 - 11:00 p.m. Associate of the Year Award & Reception, Volunteer of the Year Reception, Hospitality & Showcases in 3NINE 🎉. Open to Everyone!
Presented by Saffire

* Subject to Change

• Management/Finance: What to consider when creating Promotional Pricing: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly - Round Table. – REGENCY 5 & 6
  Promotional gate pricing can boost attendance, drive advance sales, and create buzz—but it can also lead to confusion, lost revenue, or unhappy guests if not done right. This session takes a candid look at the pros, cons, and common pitfalls of gate promotions.
  Moderators: Matt Wallsmith, P{resident & CEO, South Florida Fair. Nancy Smith, General Manager, South Carolina State Fair
• Entertainment: Bringing the Fun: Planning & Elevating Special Events for Unforgettable Fair Entertainment – REGENCY 7 & 8
  Special events are key to creating unforgettable Fair experiences. This session offers tips and strategies to plan, enhance, and energize your entertainment lineup with creativity and purpose.
  Speakers: Beth Buckley, Concessions & Exhibits Manager, Florida State Fair, Kayla Cawley, Entertainment Manager, South Florida Fair, Kelly Collins, CEO, State Fair of West Virginia and Tasha Hyder, Executive Director, Clay County Fair.
• Management/Concessions: What you Need to Know About the OABA: Including our current labor status and how it affects Fairs – SALONS 11 & 12
  Greg Chieko, President and CEO, Outdoor Amusement Business Association, OABA
• Ag/Livestock: Showorks Training II – SALONS 13 & 14
  Open to Showorks users at any experience level. Hands on training. Bring your laptop!
  Jacqueline Stough, Livestock Education Manager, Central Florida Fair

• Leadership/HR: Your Career, Your Family and How to find Balance – REGENCY 5 & 6
  Balancing a Fair career with family life can be challenging—but also incredibly rewarding. This session explores practical ways to involve spouses and children in meaningful, fulfilling roles within Fair organizations.
  Panelists: Kayla Cawley, Entertainment Manager, South Florida Fair, Cheryl Flood, CEO, Florida State Fair, Bill Olson, CEO, Jacksonville Ag Fair and Florance Thompson, Executive Assistant, South Florida Fair.
• Leadership: Southern Hospitality: Winning Over the Sponsors, Vendors, and Volunteers Who Fuel Your Success – REGENCY 7 & 8
  Southern hospitality represents warmth, friendliness, generosity. It’s often associated with making guests feel welcome, offering kindness, and providing good food and conversation. Come learn how you can incorporate the four key elements of Southern Hospitality into your Fair. Kindness and Warmth, Generosity, Welcoming Atmosphere and Charm and Politeness.
  Tasha Hyder, Executive Director, Clay County Fair
• Exhibits: Hands On Competitive Exhibit Displays – Display Building Workshop – SALONS 11 & 12
  Join us for a fun an interactive display-building workshop!
  Rhonda Ward, Fair Manager, Collier Fair
• Concessions/Management: NICA 2025 – SALONS 13 & 14
  There are so many new faces in our industry, NICA, National Independent Concessionaires Association, would like to reintroduce ourselves or introduce whichever applies to you. Meet one of our sister organizations, learn about its beginnings, its work today and its vision for tomorrow.
  Kathy Ross, CCE, NICA 2025 Hall of Fame Recipient.

Noon-2:00 p.m. Lunch

12:00-1:00 p.m. – Chow & Chat: A space for affinity groups to discuss their issues while
having lunch
Ag & Competitive Exhibits – Salon 17
Entertainment & Volunteers – Salon 18

• Management/Operations: Creating a successful Non-Fair event from the ground up – REGENCY 3 & 4
  Fright Nights is the South Florida Fairgrounds’ signature Halloween event, drawing over 40,000 guests across just 11 nights each October. In this session, we’ll take a behind-the-scenes look at how the event was built from the ground up—from its early days to becoming one of South Florida’s top haunted attractions.
  Speakers: Matt Wallsmith, President & CEO, South Florida Fair & Alex Rodriguez, Director of Operations, South Florida Fair.
• Marketing/Public Relations: AI and the fAIr Industry: 2025 Trends, Tools, and Tactics! – REGENCY 5 & 6
  Real tools. Real tactics. Real talk from industry thought leaders Noise New Media about how to integrate AI in the Fair Industry.
  Mark O'Shea & Steve Richo, Co-Founders, Noise New Media
• Ag/Livestock: Current Show Trends in the Livestock Community – SALONS 11 & 12
  Stay ahead of the curve with this insightful session! From evolving exhibitor expectations and animal care standards to new technologies and program formats, we will dive into what’s working, what’s changing, and how fairs can adapt to better serve their agricultural communities.
  Panelists: Becky Brashear, Director of Business Development, South Florida Fair, Kelly Collins, CEO, State Fair of West Virginia & Kellen Bartenslager, Ag Competitions Manager, State Fair of West Virginia
• Operations/Safety: ADA Compliance and Beyond – SALONS 13 & 14
  What are some of the laws to follow. But most importantly how do you prepare for your ADA customers. Tips and Tricks on the best ways to prepare.
  Randy Crone, Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair Association; Jason Villiers, Assistant Director of Public Safety, South Florida Fair.

• Leadership/Operations: Grounds and Infrastructure: Protecting Your Grounds and Improving Infrastructure – REGENCY 3 & 4.
  Covering all bases (on a budget) when protecting and improving your grounds.
  Panelists: Eddie Cora, President & CEO, Miami-Dade County Fair, Richard Klimas, Hernando County Fair, Rory Martin, Sarasota County Ag Fair, Lance Fuchs, Esq. Foster & Fuchs, P.A..
• Management/Marketing/Sponsorships: Fairly Intelligent: Leveraging AI in the Fair Industry – REGENCY 5 & 6
  Discover how generative AI is transforming fairs and events—from automating marketing and creating custom visuals to crafting engaging content, videos, and even music. This session will show you how to harness cutting-edge AI tools to save time, spark creativity, and elevate every part of your fair experience. No tech skills needed—just bring your curiosity and get ready to rethink what’s possible!
  Kevin McNulty, Co-Founder and President, NetWeave Social Networking
• Sponsorships: Sponsorship Activation practices and logistics – SALONS 11 & 12
  We have a process that works! Have fun with us while learning how certain processes and procedures help us control, quantify and deliver over 250 sponsorship activations before, during and after the annual Fair.
  Theresa Agricola, Sponsorship Manager, Jessica Fernandez, Marketing Manager and Jasmine Mohammed, Social Media & Digital Marketing Specialist, South Florida Fair
• Ag/Livestock: Livestock Auctions 101: How to Buy and Sell Animals Effectively – SALONS 13 & 14
  Hear from an auctioneer, an exhibitor/judge and an livestock show professional! This session will cover fair market pricing, animal presentation, auctioneer techniques and more.
  Panelists: Justin Strickland, Auctioneer; Madelyn Jones, Camo N Critters, 4-H Exhibitor and Livestock Judging student; Serena Stratton, Assistant Manager/Livestock Director, Hillsborough County Fair.
  Moderated by Rhonda Ward, Fair Manager, Collier Fair.

5:30 p.m. Photographs - Photos include: Current & Newly Elected Board Members, Past Presidents, Hall of Fame Members, Associates of the Year & Volunteer of the Year - Meet at Ballroom Foyer

6:15 p.m. Pre Reception Showcases

6:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception and Showcases

7:00 p.m. Gala - BALLROOM A

Hall of Fame Induction, YPI Rising Star, Scholarship Ceremony, Milk Toast, giveaways, president and new board members announcement – Sponsored by Degeller.

Florida Fairs & Board:

Don’t be left out of the Year in Review Video shown at this year’s Convention Gala!

We are currently collecting photos for the Year In Review presentation for this year’s Convention.

Please send 8 to 10 photos from your Fair!!! We want to see all of or Florida Fairs in the limelight!!!

Please send your photos ASAP to this link:

https://spaces.hightail.com/uplink/soflafair