by fairplanning | Aug 16, 2015 | Blog
There are hundreds of thousands of grants available to Fairs. Unfortunately many Fairs don’t have the staff available to do the work required to find, apply, and monitor the grants. In those instances, Fairs, of any size, could do three things:
1. Find a local non-profit organization with a similar or complimentary message, purpose, audience. Look for other non-profit organizations in your city/town/region and even in the state. You can do a google search for “non-profits in my area”. Review the list, check and see what their mission/purpose is by visiting their website. If you find they have the same or similar purpose, reach out to their management team.
2. Partner with that organization to apply for grants. As a Fair, and especially if your Fair has it’s own separate non-profit entity, partnering with another organization for that grant will increase the strength of your grant application. The non-profit will have it’s own target audience, and added to your Fair’s attendance, the reach of your program is significantly increased.
3. The non-profit organization may have a grant writer on staff/under contract. Offer to pay a portion of their salary for the grant application. For Fairs, staffing is always a challenge for any project. Partnering with another non-profit that has a staff member responsible for grant applications is a great way for a Fair to tap into a highly qualified resource without incurring the entire salary. The Fair could pay the non-profit a portion of their employees salary, make a donation to the non-profit for the salary portion, or even “share” the employee.
The biggest benefit of all of these is that the Fair will gain a new community partner who will become a cheerleader for the Fair and the Fair’s programs. The non-profit will gain a new and, possibly, larger audience to get their message out to.
by fairplanning | Aug 16, 2015 | Blog, Millennials, Target Marketing
In 2015, the Millennial generation population will surpass the Baby Boom generation as the largest living generation in the US (per the US Census Bureau). The Millennials are between 18 and 34 years old in 2015. The Millennial population is projected to reach it’s highest in 2036.
Many of the Millennials are immigrants or children of immigrants who arrived in the US starting in the 1940s. (Whitehouse.gov report Oct 2014 on Millennials). As a result, the Millennials are an extremely diverse generation. In addition Millennials are very tech savvy, and value community, family and creativity in their work.
More information on Millenials:
How can Fairs attract Millennials and their families?
by fairplanning | Aug 16, 2015 | Blog, Signage
While visiting the Ventura County Fair, I saw this eye catching use of rope lights to create a sign. Very creative!
by fairplanning | Aug 10, 2015 | Blog, Fair Programming, Stem/Steam
Want to attract new customers to your Fair? Every Fair can showcase STEM/STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts Math) programming and activities. Look at what you currently offer and identify ways to pull out the STEAM elements. Many of these activities that are already created, or, with a little adjustments, can be easily transformed into STEM/STEAM activities.
As a result of the STEAM programming at the Alameda County Fair, a major medical provider agreed to become a sponsor of a weekend of activities that were health and fitness themed. The sponsor provided staff and equipment to conduct health checks, fitness testing etc. It is a win win for both the sponsor and the Fair.
In addition, these activities are attractive to day camps, summer schools and home schooled children. All of the organizers of these groups are readily seeking new ways to teach children in a fun and entertaining way.
Below is an example of Alameda County Fair’s STEAM programming:
Come & explore Alameda County’s Largest Classroom!
The Alameda County Fair is a living learning classroom that offers an almost limitless variety of activities and experiences that are not only fun but educational as well! Thousands of exhibits and hundreds of activities await inquisitive minds and offer educational opportunities for the entire family as well as youth groups. The sights, sounds, smells, and tastes at the fair will tickle your senses and create unique learning experiences – in a safe and family friendly environment!
Did you know research shows young people experience learning loss when they do not participate in educational activities during the summer?
Alameda County Fair offers many STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) learning opportunities.
Plan a field trip to the fair and you and your family can learn about:
- Science
- Math
- Music
- Robotics
- Agriculture
- Environment
- Physics
- Natural resources
- Solar & wind energy
- Water conservation
- Horticulture
- Recycling
- Animals
- Sports
- Health
- Cooking
- The arts
by fairplanning | Aug 10, 2015 | Blog
It’s important to provide photo ops for your fairgoers – throughout the fairgrounds. Make sure to brand the photo op someway. Either use your logo, hashtag (#ABCFair) or use your current Fair theme. Whatever you use, make sure it’s sized in relation to the “frame” so it will show up in the photos easily.
Took this last year at the Calgary Stampede. What a great way to brand a photo opportunity for your guests and give them enough space for the entire family!
How else can you incorporate this concept?
by fairplanning | Aug 10, 2015 | Blog
SWOT, which stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, is an analytical framework that can help your company face its greatest challenges and find its most promising new markets. (en.wikipedia.org).
Start with your Management Team, compile the information and share with your employees. Encourage the Fair Team to also conduct SWOT Analysis in their areas. You can use this process to guide your organization in all areas including budgeting, booking entertainment, making decisions, etc.
