WI Fair Members Giddy up to the Chula Vista for their Annual Convention

More than 1,200 delegates representing 68 of 76 county, district and state fairs and associated businesses celebrated the New Year by attending the 88th annual Wisconsin Association of Fairs annual convention in Wisconsin Dells. The theme of this year’s convention was “Wisconsin Fairs Roundup”.

Our event kicked off at the Chula Vista Resort on Sunday with a “Carnival Night” sponsored by our carnival industry. More than 500 people attended this event that took place and proved to be successful for the second year in a row. Our carnival partners served fair food, gave our carnival prizes and mingled with our fair attendees; all of course while the Packer Game was projected on a large screen. Special thanks to the following for sponsoring the event: A & P Enterprise Shows, A. & C. Wenzel Amazements, Big H Amusements, Inc., Calkins Midways, Inc., Christman Amusements, Earl's Rides Inc., Fun Food Factories, Indianhead Amusements, Mark Lake Enterprises, Mr. Ed's Magical Midways LLC, MillerCoors, North American Midway Entertainment, Rainbow Valley Rides, Inc., Spectrum Entertainment, and Tip Top Rides & Attractions LLC. Special thanks to Chuck and Lynn Waterman from Calkin’s Midways for coordinating the event.

On Monday, the convention will kicked-off with our Keynote Speaker, Gary Berg. His presentation was entitled “Simple Truths in the Workplace and in Life”. This presentation challenged all who listened to try to look at their lives more closely and with more focus and then challenge themselves to be better at what they do. Gary was described as the human reminder of those things in life that are important. Gary’s talk made people think and also laugh as they looked at everyday situations and tried to be the best they could be in both their work and personal lives.

The convention continued with activities provided by the Special Projects Committee. Games revolved around the cowboy/girl theme and attendees competed in best dressed competitions. Our attendees surprise us each year with their creative dress with this year being no different.

Representatives attended a variety of high-impact workshops including how to successfully get fair sponsorship, how to educate the public on animal welfare, and at Jane Hillstom’s workshop, how to communicate techniques for media interview while focusing on the hard to answer questions.

The convention culminated with the awards Banquet and the crowning of the 2011 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs on Wednesday night. Awards were given for the V.I.P. Awards, Outstanding Fair Person Awards, Hall of Fame Awards, and the Associate Member Hall of Fame Awards. Many deserving people were awarded, including the 2010 Fairest of the Fair Natalie Salkowski of the Ozaukee County Fair before handing the position off to Alexis Nickelotti from Vernon County. She will spend the next year serving as the ambassador for Wisconsin’s 76 county, district and state fairs and the official hostess for the 2011 Wisconsin State Fair, August 4-14. While serving as Wisconsin’s Fairest of the Fairs, Nickelotti will make appearances, conduct promotions, work with media and travel to fairs to promote the educational, social and economical importance of Wisconsin’s Fair Industry.

Thank you to all of our attendees and especially to all of our sponsors for making another successful year possible!