YPI
YPI….What is New…and Why it’s Important By Leah J Norris
Young Professionals Initiative (YPI) was started by the Interna-
tional Association of Fairs and Expositions in 2008. The Florida Federation of Fairs started its own program in 2011, under the name Florida Youth Involved (FYI). We decided to change the name to YPI-Florida Chapter to decrease confusion and help so- lidify the message of YPI on the State and National level. The purpose of YPI is to create a platform where people age 18 to 40 can network, learn, and get involved in the Fair Industry on the State and/or National level. It is up to each Fair to get the in- formation to their staff, volunteers, Board members that are 18-40. Why is the YPI program important to you? These young people are the future of the Fair industry. Around the country, as well as in our very own state, Fair Board members and volunteers are getting older. When we get the young people involved in the Fed- eration, it creates and continuity of knowledge that is so important! On Monday, January 20, 2014, we tried a new event to get
YPI’ers involved. We met at the South Florida Fair. While there, we had a Brainstorming session/meeting, a lunch reception pro- vided by the South Florida Fair and a Behind the Scenes tour. It was a HUGE success with nearly 20 people attending. It was such a great turnout that we, as a group, decided to try to have a couple of these events a year for YPI’ers to network and get to know one another, while learning about how different Fairs are run. We would also like to start a Mentoring Program, where veteran “Fair Folks” take a YPI’er under their wing. This is not just a rela- tionship for Convention and/or Summer Workshop. I would like this mentor partnership to last a whole year. It is very reassuring to know that you can call at least one person in the industry that will help you and knows your name. Please be sure to check your emails and pass along all YPI
information to those people that are 18-40 at your Fair! We are very excited about making our program, at the State level, the BEST in the Country! Please send contact info for people at your Fair age 18-40 to Leah J Norris with the Lake County Fair,
leahjnorris@gmail.com.
YPI Co-Chairman Albert Montes talks with the YPI group during the South Florida Fair.
Vicki Chouris of the South Florida Fair gave the group a tour of the Expo Hall during the YPI event.
YPI Co-Chairman Leah Norris explained the benefits of the YPI program to the group
Alex Rodriquez, Expo Facilities Supervisor for the South Flor- ida Fair Exposi- tion Center con- ducted the tour of the Expo.
There was a great turnout for the Federa- tion’s first YPI event held during the South Florida Fair. A special thanks to the South Florida Fair for hosting the event and Co-Chairs Leah Norris and Albert Montes for coordinating it.
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