Florida Federation of Fairs Summer Workshop
Spetember 5-6, 2025 at the Florida State Fairgrounds
Hotel: Embassy Suites by Hilton, Tampa/Brandon. 813-653-1905
*HOTEL Link at the bottom of this page
Friday, September 5
8:45 a.m. Welcome Remarks – Rita De Mier-Lincoln, President, Florida Federation of Fairs
9:00 – 10:00 AM General Session #1
You Make THE Difference National Initiative: Will We Meet the Moment
Presented by Ian Hill, The Changing Point
10:05 – 11:05 AM – Breakout Sessions
Track A:
The Show Must Evolve: Fair Entertainment Strategy, Collaboration & Cost Control
Presented by David Yugar, Yugar Productions
Track B:
Revive & Thrive: Building a Board & Team that Leads Without Burning Out
Presented by Ian Hill, The Changing Point
11:10 AM – 12:10 PM – Breakout Sessions
Track A:
Tax-Exempt ≠ Tax-Free: What Every Fair Needs to Know
Presented by Lance Fuchs & Dominic DeCesare, Foster & Fuchs, P.A.
Track B:
Smart Spending: Best Practices in Procurement & Purchasing for Fairs
Presented by Fred Byrd, Veritiv, Sales Representative-Facility Solutions
12:15 – 1:15 PM Lunch
Sponsored by Deggeller Attractions Inc.
1:15 – 2:15 PM – Breakout Sessions
Track A:
Fair Game: Get Real About Social: Turning Your Fair into a Viral Experience Online
Presented by Lucie McGuire, Get Real Social
Track B:
How to Influence Your Fair Politically
Presented by Jaime Jerrels, Florida Farm Bureau Federation, Senior Director of Policy & Outreach
2:15 – 2:30 Break
2:30 – 3:30 PM – Breakout Sessions
Track A:
How Can the Florida Federation of Fairs Better Support Your Fair?
Presented by Jay Spicer, Florida Federation of Fairs, Executive Director
Track B:
Revitalizing Competitive Exhibits Panel
- Collier County Fair – Rhonda Ward
- Miami-Dade Fair – Annie Febles
- Florida State Fair – Lynann Hudson
3:30 – 4:30 PM Roundtable Discussions #1 – Fair Operations Topics
- Judging: Who, Where, How, Criteria, Pay, Expenses - Moderator: Rhonda Ward, Collier County Fair
- Safety & Security: Private, Local, In-House/Year-Round - Moderator: Danny Alfonso, Manatee County Fair
- Vendor Challenges & Opportunities as Business Partners - Moderator: Beth Buckley, Florida State Fair
5:00 PM BOARD MEETING
Saturday, September 6
7:30 - 8:00 a.m. - Continental Breakfast provided by Florida State Fair Authority
8:00 – 9:00 AM General Session #2
Ag Inspires in Education from Fair to Fair: Reaching Beyond the Barn
Presented by Becky Brashear, South Florida Fair
9:30 – 10:00 AM FDACS Updates: Animal Industry Perspective
Presented by Dr. Diane Kitchen, D.V.M., Ph.D. Veterinarian Manager, Bovine & Cervidae
10:15 – 11:15 AM Roundtable Discussions #2
- Southern Hospitality: Winner Over the Sponsors, Vendors, and Volunteers Who Fuels Your Success - Moderator: Tasha Hyder, Clay County Fair
- Integrated Marketing That Drives Results - Moderator: Rita De Mier-Lincoln, South Florida Fair
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (*subject to change )