OABA Update -by Bob Johnson, OABA President & CEO Writing this message at this time, knowing most State Fair As-
sociation Conventions have concluded, with only Florida’s remain- ing, then IAFE Zone Meetings and the Mid-West Fair Management meeting in Tucson, Arizona, our Board and Staff has been busy preparing for a huge week in Tampa, affectionately known as Florida Week! Along with the FFF’s 3rd Annual Fair Partners Shootout, which I
know several of our Board members look forward to a fun time and fundraiser to help this State’s convention. The OABA holds its second annual, more than double the size as last year, Top Golf H -2b Advocacy event in Tampa, with some 500-people attending. This event raises funds to help our lobbying, legal and advocacy efforts to bring back this industry’s, foreign guest workers. Direc- tor Andy Deggeller and his family and other OABA Directors have put a lot effort, calls and obtained some cool auction items to ensure the success of this fundraiser. The OABA’s 53rd Annual Meeting on February 9th, Friday and
NICA’s 25th Anniversary Gala event on Wednesday night culmi- nates a great week, with lots of Florida sunshine. Our April Show- Time magazine will cover the week’s events, complete with pic- tures and, more importantly, many college scholarships awarded to very deserving young people in this industry, our very own DREAMERS! Our 2017 Chair E.J. Dean has fulfilled his Chairmanship duties,
steered the board well with many new initiatives for all members and has provided leadership on many fronts. To make sure that E. J. stays engaged and helps our new Chair, Jay Strates, he will remain on the Executive Board for three, additional years to help Jay and the OABA. As some know, our Executive Board, is made
up of the Officers of this associa- tion, who act in the absence of the full Board and make sure our By- Laws, Policies & Procedures and Strate- gic Plans, with Committee oversight, are serving the best interests of you, our members. Our 2018 Chair, Jay Strates has many
years of service with the OABA and on the Board, and he’s quickly transitioning to lead with his Committee Chairs and our Staff. Fortunately, like many industry associations we have a first, second and third vice chair, all being groomed with specific Committee and Fundraising accountabilities. Strates Shows is well steeped in the carnival industry and is still the only train show in the mobile amusement industry! Jay is the third family executive to Chair the OABA, with his
father James Strates being an OABA co-founder and Trustee, and Jay’s oldest brother, Jim Strates having chaired the OABA in 2003. A generational, family business that’s dedicated itself to show business and the OABA’s C
icl r e o xc le c. f E elne With regards to amusement ride safety, this State’s Fair Rides
Advisory Committee also met this week and the following week, in New Orleans, several OABA Board members will be attending the ASTM F-24 Amusement Rides and Attractions meeting. We are also anxious to hear how the new, Evolution sub task groups are tackling the critical amusement ride component issues, such as metal corrosion and fatigue, which the federal, Consumer Product Safety Commission, urgently requested.
The Ride Advisory Committee of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services met
at the Florida State Fair February 7th. Above is Charles Panacek, Belle City Amusements; Mar-
tha Leverock, CFE, CEO Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair; Bob Johnson, CEO Outdoor Amusement Business Association. Below is Michelle Faulk of FDACS, Bob Johnson, OABA and Allan Harrison, FDACS.
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FAIRCRACKER-SPRING 2018
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