November 2016 NICA News
Featuring Member’s Voice with Frank Boeck, D & F Enterprises, Daniel McLean, Almond Garten, Carmel Dyer-Pittroff, The Original Australian Battered Potatoes, Todd Lavigne, Awesome Apple Crisp, and Theresa Johnson, All American Restaurant & Grill, Thoughts from a CCE withLarry McConnell, CCE, McConnell Concessions, Concessionaire Spotlight with Tom Frazee, Frazee's Concessions, President's Message with Paulette Keene, Director's Voice with Joe Potillo, Jr., Card's Corner with Michelle Card, Executive Director, and much more!
Featuring Member’s Voice with Frank Boeck, D & F Enterprises, Daniel McLean, Almond Garten, Carmel Dyer-Pittroff, The Original Australian Battered Potatoes,
Todd Lavigne, Awesome Apple Crisp, and Theresa Johnson, All American Restaurant & Grill, Thoughts from a CCE withLarry McConnell, CCE, McConnell Concessions, Concessionaire Spotlight with Tom Frazee, Frazee's Concessions, President's Message with Paulette Keene, Director's Voice with Joe Potillo, Jr., Card's Corner with Michelle Card, Executive Director, and much more!
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Steal This Idea!<br />
Jon Baker, Executive Director at Pima County Fairgrounds, has made a lot changes to try to improve the<br />
quality of life and work for service members working the Fair. It has always been a priority for him, but<br />
marrying concessionaire Lisa Thompson-Baker, Lisa’s Concessions, a few years ago brought Service Member<br />
frustrations to the top of his mind. Reprinted with permission from Western Fairs Association.<br />
“There are just things that I wouldn’t<br />
necessarily think about, not having lived in that<br />
world,” said Baker, during an Industry Standards<br />
meeting during his Fair. From adding free WiFi, a<br />
fitness area, an extensive Dog Park, and even the<br />
in-progress John Needham Memorial Golf Course,<br />
amenities at Pima County Fairgrounds geared<br />
toward Service Members have never been more<br />
comprehensive.<br />
But what’s the best way to let service members<br />
know about important Fair details and offerings<br />
that might make their stay a little smoother?<br />
Introducing the Pima County Fair Vendor<br />
and Concierge Services flyer! It is included in<br />
the vendor packet and includes wide-ranging<br />
information.<br />
“It was important to let our Service Members<br />
know in an easy way about things that might<br />
interest or benefit them,” said Baker. “Because this<br />
is small enough to carry around in a back pocket,<br />
the information is always accessible so they<br />
don’t have to make a call or try to research every<br />
question.”<br />
Service Members have found having a list of<br />
Vendor Services, along with the direct contact<br />
for each, incredibly helpful. The flyer includes<br />
information about the fairgrounds—where the<br />
laundry facilities are located, how to contact the<br />
on-site veterinarian, types of assistance offered<br />
at Guest Services—but the information is not<br />
limited to services within the boundary of the<br />
Fairgrounds. Sometimes you just need to get off the<br />
grounds! Local services including but not limited<br />
to Urgent Care, the tire shop, nearest Walmart,<br />
and grocery store are listed, along with restaurant<br />
recommendations.<br />
Other features include important dates for<br />
events during fairtime (like the WFA Service Member<br />
Meeting), as well as advertising and marketing<br />
opportunities that could help drive business, from<br />
the Social Media Fair Vendor Promotion Program to<br />
information for participating in live TV spots.<br />
The flyer is a living, changing concept. “From<br />
when we first started it, we’ve learned based on<br />
vendor feedback what works and what other<br />
information they would find useful,” said Jon. “So<br />
far it’s been really well-received and it’s something<br />
we’re happy to do as long as it’s helpful. It’s just a<br />
convenience that we hadn’t thought of before that I<br />
think fairs could find interesting.” ▲<br />
<strong>November</strong> <strong>2016</strong> <strong>NICA</strong> <strong>News</strong> 27
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