“FAIRLY” IMPORTANT MATTERS……………………………………….
Now at the Helm… By Thom Giordano
There’s a new skipper down at the Mi-
ami-Dade County Fair and Exposition Cen- ter. On July 1st Bob Hohenstein answered the call and has set a course for expansion and growth in south Florida. Being on board for the past two Fairs, Bob
saw some great spending at The Fair. He was pleased to see the consumers and guests from south Florida come to The Fair
and enjoy themselves. Revenue was strong and attendees had a great time. Just like the theme parks he worked at for the Six Flags organization for over 25 years, the fairgrounds were always clean, safe and well manicured and the full time and sea- sonal teams were polite, friendly and courteous. A very positive guest first experience is the goal and safety is paramount. ―I was delighted with the number of people enjoying the Milking Parlor in our World
of Agriculture. Many of our guests who live in Miami-Dade County have never seen where milk really comes from‖’ Bob said. ―I plan on expanding that knowledge to our guests in upcoming Fairs; educating Farm to Table with hands-on experiences,‖ he added. ―Agriculture in Miami-Dade County has transitioned over the gen- erations with ever increasing focus on vegetables, fruits, plants, flowers, landscaping and so forth.‖ Spectacular on-grounds entertainment, attractions and rides, food items you can only get by attending The Fair and
developing a ―WOW factor‖ at the main entrance to The Fair are immediate goals. ―The real estate as you enter the gates is where the first guest interactions have to be ―WOW, I’m glad I came. I wasn’t expecting that! moments which appeal to all five senses,‖ Bob said. ―We’ve got only one chance to make a very, very positive first impression.‖ Growing up in St. Louis, his roots are engrained in the Midwest. Bob graduated from the University of Missouri and re-
ceived his MBA from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville. His 25 year career with the Six Flags organization be- gan thereafter in Group Sales at their park in St. Louis and concluded as the Director of Marketing, Sales & Special Events for their theme park and two water parks in Houston. His theme park experience will be a definite enhancement for the future of the Miami-Dade County Fair. Bob and his wife Debbie are celebrating 37 years of marriage this month (November). They have two wonderful chil- dren. Their daughter, Rachel, is a farm wife (Yay!), a mother of two young sons and a high school teacher in central Kan- sas helping her husband raise 200 head of Red Angus cattle and farm over 4,000 acres of winter wheat, milo, corn, al- falfa and sorghum . Their son, Brad, lives in Chicago and is in the medical equipment field. He is also a proud graduate of the University of Missouri. Get to know Bob even a little better. His favorite movie is ―Chinatown‖ and his favorite group is the Rolling Stones. He
loves to sit down to a good steak or some St. Louis-style bar-b-que. And as for a ―preferred ride,‖ Bob is a coaster junkie. He’ll take an all day Fast Pass for Batman, the Ride in New Jersey. So now that you know a little about Bob Hohenstein, go up and introduce yourself at the next Florida Federation of
Fairs meeting or at IAFE convention in Las Vegas. He’s well traveled and extremely dynamic. Bob, welcome aboard to the Florida Fair industry.
Where in the world is………Keith Hessey Past President of the Florida Federation of Fairs Since retiring in 2001 from the State Fair of Virginia, Keith has been keeping in touch with the Fair industry via
working for Fairs and Festivals from Maryland down to Florida as a consultant in Entertainment, risk manage- ment, sponsorships, advance ticket sales, and fairgrounds design. Keith has thirty plus years experience in management with the Fair industry—ten years in Florida, 12 years at
the Virginia State Fair, plus several small Fairs and Festivals in between. He has had experience with just about every event or activity you could imagine—good and bad. After retiring, Keith moved from Richmond to the Berkley Plantation outside Williamsburg and from there to the
Chesapeake Bay. In 2005 his next move was to Sebring, Florida to be close to his children and grandchildren. In 2007 he and his wife moved to Columbia, South Carolina where he worked every year for Gary Goodman at
the South Carolina State Fair. This year he again worked with approximately twenty retired folks in the Cantey Building which is home to the best art, photography, student and agricultural exhibits showcasing South Carolina. Keith and Lois moved back to Sebring in 2011. He is still playing golf a couple of times a week and fishing with his buddy Buck Christian. Buck and Keith are looking forward to visiting several Florida Fairs this year.
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