November 2016 NICA News

President’s Message
Paulette Keene, President
Congratulations to our
new Board Members! The
NICA Election Committee
met in early October at the
Georgia National Fair in
Perry, GA and counted all
of the submitted ballots
to find out who the Voting
Members had selected. At
the time of writing this I do
not know the results, but
check out page 13 in this issue to see who won.
Wow, it’s already November and my season
will be done by the time you read this, and NICA
is preparing for the fall and winter activities. First
of all, I will travel to the NICA Off ice in Brandon,
FL to do the yearly audit with Michelle Card,
Executive Director, Jennifer Giordano, Treasurer,
our financial advisor Gayle McGrath and one other
Board Member that has not yet been selected. We
will also set the budget for 2017 at this time.
Then it won’t be long until Thanksgiving at my
house; what a wonderful time of year to remember
our Country’s heritage and enjoy our friends and
family! Then I will be off to Vegas for the IAFE
Convention for one of the Executive Board’s faceto-face
meetings and to welcome and meet all the
newly elected Board Members. NICA will also be
involved in workshops and The Double Jeopardy
Session at 10:30 - 11:30 AM on November 29th,
centered on the theme “What is the Cost of Doing
Business for Concessionaires and Fairs?” It will be
fun and educational, so try to be there. NICA has
also planned an Industry Appreciation Night at a
new location in the Penthouse Suite on the 26th
floor of Bally’s Indigo Tower in Las Vegas. Please
drop by for some great social time.
I am excited to report the 10th Anniversary
of the West Council and review some of their
accomplishments for the year. NICA West has a
great working relationship with WFA and IAFE.
►► “Message” continued on page 6
Director’s Voice
Joe Potillo, Jr., Immediate Past President
As I sit to write what is,
my last Director’s Voice,
I have to admit that I am
somewhat emotional. My
emotions though are not
that of sadness but of pride
and positivity about our
organization NICA.
Having now served two
terms on the NICA Board,
serving in various offices
such as Committee Chair, Secretary, and going
through the chairs to the Presidency, it is safe
to say that I have had a front row seat to the
inner workings of NICA for some time. Although,
admittedly, we have gone through some growing
pains, the view from my front porch is of an
organization and leadership that is on the job for
“Growing Together”
its membership. This did not just start recently.
It has been in the hearts of each of the men and
women who have served with me.
This month’s theme dealing with growth is
very appropriate for where NICA is today; it is
continuously growing and evolving. While change
is not always comfortable, it is very necessary. As
I reflect of some of the changes that have come
to NICA, I can truly say that these would not be
possible except for the stepping stones that have
been placed all along the way.
NICA has grown from an idea to now “THE
VOICE” of the Independent Concessionaire in our
►► “Director’s Voice” continued on page 6
November 2016 NICA News 5