FLORIDA FAIR NEWS North Florida Fair—Nov. 7 – 17
New Ideas To Meet New Challenges It seems that every year some new challenge comes along that needs attention. Sometimes it‘s personnel,
sometimes it‘s livestock, sometimes something altogether different. My challenge this year is the Commercial Building of the Fair. With the internet having more and more impact upon everyone‘s lives and livelihoods, the Commercial Building has struggled of late. Vendors can more easily sell products on EBAY, ETSY or similar websites than attend a Fair to sell products. High fuel costs don‘t help either. Many people enjoy browsing the goods in the Commercial Building and buying some new and unique prod-
uct. But if the vendors are staying home, the commercial buildings suffer. If they suffer, so does the Fair in the long run. The North Florida Fair has been aggressively recruiting new vendors and courting returning vendors.
In an effort to draw potential customers into the building to browse vendor wares, the North Florida Fair plans to raffle several items, perhaps an IPAD and an XBOX. We may also raffle a $500.00 gift card. The plan is to place the registration table deep into the building so customers will have to walk by as many vendors as possible to register for the prizes. Signage around the fairgrounds promoting the raffle will be neces- sary to get word out about the event. Customers won‘t have to buy anything, but the vendors will at least have a shot. All of this may sound like an expensive proposition, and it is. But I also feel that it is necessary to ensure the future success of the Fair. I
look at the Fair as a living organism. If one part of that organism is sick or ailing, it will have a detrimental effect on the entire operation. I am investing in the wellbeing of the organization so that it may enjoy continued health and a long life. The North Florida Fair has also embarked on an ambitious plan to paint all the buildings a new color, giving a fresh look to the grounds.
Shrubbery is being replaced with flower gardens. I feel it is important to invest back into your infrastructure as well as your event. Our custom- ers appreciate the fresh, clean look new paint presents. Even though the project is only 25% complete, initial impressions have been over- whelmingly positive. These improvements will benefit the off-season rentals even more than the Fair attendance. After 5 years of growth, continuing the trend will be a challenge.
DON‘T MISS THE 2013 IAFE ANNUAL CONVENTION
The only way to accomplish it will be to aggressively go after it. The above projects will be our roadmap.
TO BE HELD DECEMBER 8—12 IN LAS VEGAS!
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