NICA NEWS UPDATE………………...……..by Rick Busse, Past-Chair of NICA NICA has gone through some changes the past few


months. Our President/CEO, Dave Schlabach, resigned on December 31, 2010. As the Board looks for a new Presi- dent, we have hired Frank Parnell, a past-President of NICA, and well known to folks in Florida, as the interim President. Give Frank a call at the NICA office (727-346- 9302) to thank him for taking the reigns during this transi- tional period. By the time this article goes to print, I will have passed the gavel at NICA’s general membership meeting in Tampa to Russ Harrison, who is the Chairman of the Board for 2011. Despite the upheaval, NICA has moved ahead imple-


menting its mission to strengthen relationships within the industry through effective communication, benefits and so- lutions. The NICA Business Expo and Fair Food Show took place in Tampa on February 7-8. Jim Sinclair, Chairman of the IAFE and Jim Tucker, President of the IAFE attended and gave presentations on February 8 at the NICA Busi- ness Expo. Cynthia Witty from the DOT gave an update on the latest regulations on February 7. The golf outing was well held on February 8, as was the annual meeting that evening. Thanks to Fare Foods for partnering with NICA to produce the show. NICA has been busy around the country: NICA West put on a food show at the Western Fairs As-


sociation in Reno, January 17-19. NICA member Don Dela- hoyde was elected President of the WFA, the first time a service member has held that position. NICA members par- ticipated in various break-outs and workshops during the convention. Board members have been busy attending state Fair as-


sociation meetings and giving workshops in Indiana and Michigan on the cost of operations and best practices. $5000.00 was raised during the Michigan Fair Association meeting for the NICA scholarship fund. NICA members attended state conventions in January in


Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin Illinois, and New York. NICA hosted a fun evening of bowling on January 25 dur-


ing the South Florida Fair and members look forward to Florida Fairs Association Meeting May 19-21 (golf tourna- ment May 18th) and the auction in Miami. NICA hosted a booth in Gibtown at the IISA’s annual


show February 8-12. NICA members, who are also members of OABA, at-


tended its annual dinner on February 11. NICA members will be attending IAFE Zone meetings and


other state association meetings as they occur. One reason for attending meetings and conventions is to


discuss issues that affect the industry. This year is going to bring challenges because some states are cracking down on pay practices for foreign workers. But the attention to wages is not ending there. Paying at least minimum wage and even overtime is on the horizon for all workers in the industry. The era of cheap labor is over. That’s why it is all important for concessionaires and Fairs to figure out how to buy their goods at the best price possible. Whether we like or not, wages will rise. Savings must be made in other ar- eas of business. NICA has addressed the issue of rising costs by developing the buying group concept as one way to offset the wage increases, and the general rise in the cost of doing business. One of NICA’S workshops at the IAFE Annual Convention this past year was on the cost of operations of concessions and Fairs. The buying group has gotten off the ground in the west coast by partnering with Sysco. In the Midwest, NICA partners with Stanz Food for significant discounts to members. We are just beginning to work with US Foods in other areas of the country to de- velop programs to cut the cost of buying goods. The reason NICA’s board has been developing the buying group con- cept is to enhance membership benefits and to create a new income stream for NICA. Fairs, as associate members of NICA, could also benefit. When Greg Miller gives a pres- entation at your meeting, ask him about these programs. Thanks for the opportunity to communicate our mission to the industry.


WELCOME BACK RETURNING ASSOCIATE MEMBERS...…….………..


Teeny Weeny Circus Dean Chambers, Owner 425 NE 268TH AVE OLD TOWN, FL 32680 Phone cell or alt: 352-210-1020 E-mail: elmogibb@yahoo.com Website: www.teenyweenycircus.com Category: Attractions/Entertainment Business: Clown circus with dog act and pony act


Aussie Kingdom Carolyn Lantz 8330 Country Circle Elizabeth, Co 80107- Phone: 303-246-7498 E-mail: info@aussiekingdom.com


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Website: http://www.aussiekingdom.com Category: Attractions/Entertainment Business: An educational show and display of the animals of Australia


PM Productions Christy and Robert Mullen, PO BOX 547035 ORLANDO, FL 32854-7035- Phone: 407-701-0551 Fax: 407-422-8265 E-mail: mullencat@aol.com Category: Attractions/Entertainment Business: Educational animal show and display -the Amazing Rainforest Ex- perience


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ASSOCIATE MEMBERS


PLEASE SEND IN YOUR ARTI- CLES FOR THE “SPOTLIGHT ON OUR ASSOCIATES” SECTION


Deadline for next issue is June 1st


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