WE RE NUMBER 1 WELCOME TO THE VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION of FAIRS 2015 CONFERENCE THURSDAY, JANUARY 8th Conference Registration 2:00 PM 7:00 PM Crystal Room Homestead Afternoon Tea 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM The Great Hall Special Focus: COUNTY FAIR PAGEANTS Pageant 101: How to s! 4:00 PM 5:00 PM Commonwealth Room Open Discussion 5:00 PM 5:30 PM Conducted by: Linda Huntley, VAF Pageant Director Communications Entries 5:00 PM 6:30 PM Empire Room Auction items received 5:00 PM 6:30 PM Crystal Room VAF Board of Directors Dinner 6:00 PM 7:30 PM Dominion Room Welcome Party and Social 8:00 PM 10:00 PM Meet you downstairs at DownTime Restaurant Free Pin Ball Bowling, Air Hockey and Games Complementary Tea/ Coffee, Munchies and Appetizers Cash Bar Sponsored by: The SALEM FAIR VAF Hospitality Suite 9:00 PM 12 Midnight # 7431 Garden Wing For great fun and socializing, make sure & stop by your Virginia Association of Fairs Hospitality Suite! 1
FRIDAY, JANUARY 9th BREAKFAST On Your Own 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM Homestead Dining Room $15.00 Buffet plus fees (At your expense) Conference Registration 8:00 AM 6:00 PM Crystal Room Silent/Live Auction Items received 8:00 AM Noon Crystal Room Communications Entries 8:30 AM-9:00 AM Empire Room Early Bird Session: Agriculture Current Status and Future Challenges 8:30 AM 9:45 AM Dominion Room Speaker: Trey Davis, Virginia Farm Bureau Morning Education Sessions 10:00 AM- 11:30 AM Room Topic 1 Reach Your Readers & Increase Attendance w/ Newsletters & Announcements Speaker: April Keating, Constant Contact Stratford Topic 2 Digital Brand Management: Social Media Strategies Speaker: Emily Barlow Beyond Spots and Dots Mt. Vernon Topic 3 Medical Emergencies at Your Fair Speaker: Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Blue Ridge Topic 4 How to Structure a Safety Program for your Event Speaker: John Meola, Safety Official Field Day of the Past Piedmont Topic 5 Working with Fair Volunteers Speaker: Amanda Healy, Virginia Services Appalachian VAF PAST PRESIDENTS LUNCHEON All attendees are invited for a complementary lunch with our Past Presidents. Italian Pizza Buffett 11:45 PM 1:00 PM Homestead Dining Room 2
Virginia Association of Fairs Annual Meeting (Attendance by all members is requested) 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Homestead Dining Room 1) President s Welcome/Attendance Report / Treasurer s Summary 2) Membership Vote on By-Laws Changes / Nominations for Board 3) Sponsors recognition /Announcements and Door Prizes Guest Presentations: State Fair of Virginia Report Afternoon Education Sessions 2:30 PM 4:00 PM Room Topic 1- How to Investigate & report an Incident at Your Fair Speaker: John Meola, Safety official Field Day of the Past Piedmont Topic 2- Mobile Apps for Your Fair Speaker: Crowd Torch Blue Ridge Topic 3- Learn the Ins & Outs about the VAF Youth Scholarship Awards Speaker Kaci Daniel, Madison County Fair Stratford Topic 4- Incorporating the Wine Industry in your Fair Speaker: Virginia Wine Association Mt. Vernon Topic 5 - Security Issues at Your Fair Speaker: Dan Schmidt, RC Events and Parking Appalachian Shopping, Relaxation, and DINNER ON YOUR OWN Remember all VAF Hotel guests receive a Discount in the Homestead Shops! {Please refer to list of Dining Options and Specials in this program} 2014 Virginia Association of Fairs Entertainment Showcase 7:30 PM Grand Ballroom West VAF Hospitality Suite 2:00 PM 12 Midnight # 7431 Garden Wing Don t forget to participate in the Hospitality games and 50/50 tickets!!! 3
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10th BREAKFAST On Your Own 7:00AM 10:00 AM Homestead Dining Room $15.00 Buffet plus fees (At Your Expense) Conference Registration 8:00 AM 4:30 PM Crystal Room Silent Auction Opens for your Bids 8:00 AM 4:30 PM Crystal Room VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION of FAIRS 2014 TRADESHOW 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Regency Ballroom Morning Round Table Discussion Series Casual discussion regarding the topic. 11:00 AM 11:45 AM (All meetings are held downstairs across from Tradeshow) Topic 1: Thanking the Sponsors Moderator: Patty Knight Appalachian Topic2: Scheduling Your Grounds Moderator: Terry Corle Piedmont Topic 3: Exhibit Registration Process Moderator: Melinda Gammon Blue Ridge Judges Forum for Home/Garden/and Arts Sessions from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM Hosted by: Caroline County Agricultural Fair See complete schedule of classes in this program Dominion Room Youth Leadership Interviews 10:00 AM -3:00 PM Madison, Wilson, and Monroe Conference Rooms -2 nd Floor of Great Hall Communication Awards Viewing 10:00 AM-2:00 PM Empire Room Lunch 11:45 1:30 PM Homestead Dining Room (Hot Sandwiches Bar and Beverages - Requires pre-purchased Meal ticket) VAF Hospitality Suite 1:00 PM 7:00 PM #7431 Garden Wing 4
Afternoon Round Table Discussion Series Casual discussion regarding the topic. 1:15 PM 2:00 PM (All meetings are held downstairs across from Tradeshow) Topic 1: How You get your Sponsors Moderator: Sam Long Piedmont Topic2: Communicating w/ Local Govt. Moderator: Brian Mancini Appalachian Topic 3: Who gets in FREE? Moderator: Julia Williams Blue Ridge Miss Virginia Association of Fairs Pageant The Commonwealth Room 2:00 PM proudly sponsored by: Pepsi -Cola of Central Virginia VAF Youth Scholarship Awards 3:30 PM (approx.) (Presented during pageant just before the Crowning Ceremony) Homestead Afternoon Tea 3:00 PM 4:00 PM The Great Hall 2014 Virginia Association of Fairs Annual Gala Dinner 5:30 PM Grand Ballroom (Ticketed Event) Speaker: Redskins Hall of Fame Running Back John Riggins Virginia Association of Fairs Closing Ceremony & Auction 7:30 PM Grand Ballroom (All Conference Attendees and Guests are requested to attend) Special Memorial Dedication: Hazel Staley Leadership Award Introduction of 2015 VAF Queen Communication Awards New President Intro Announcement: VAF Fair Person of the Year ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP AUCTION $100 cash prize will be given at conclusion of Live Auction. Must be present to win. (Final opportunity to pick up/pay for Auction Items at Conclusion of Live Auction) VAF Hospitality Suite (Finale ) 8:00 PM Midnight # 7431 Garden Wing (Make sure to stop by and see if you won any door prizes, guessing games, or raffles) 5
SUNDAY, JANUARY 11 th BREAKFAST On Your Own 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM Homestead Dining Room $15.00 Buffet plus fees Also available to VAF Pageant attendees. (At your Expense) VAF Board of Directors Meeting 9:30 AM 10:30 AM Dominion Room Sunday Morning Reflection Please check Front Hotel Desk for area churches. Thank You for attending the 2015 Virginia Association of Fairs Conference. Mark your Calendar: We will return to The Homestead on January 7th, 2016 HOMESTEAD DINING OPTIONS 1) Down Time: Downstairs $10-$20 Features: Game room atmosphere w/ light fare and appetizers 2) The Casino: Located outside exit at end of Great Hall and turn left. $15-$35 Features: Casual restaurant atmosphere featuring Italian Menu 3) Sam Snead s: Located on Main street across from Hotel $25- $60 Features: Up-scale atmosphere w/ full Dinner proper dress requested 4) Homestead Dining Room: Special $50 menu for VAF guests $50-$75 Features: Up-scale Dining w/ quality dinner. Dress Jackets required 5) Jefferson Restaurant and Bar: Newest Restaurant to The Homestead $12-$40 Features: Sports Bar on one side and Casual Restaurant on the other. 6) Lobby Bar: Located in Great Hall Cocktails and light fare $5 -$15 (The above mentioned restaurants can all be charged to your room.) 7) Martha s Markets: Located Tower Wing off Grand Hall $1 -$10 Features: Continental Breakfast items and snacks OFF SITE DINING OPTIONS 1) Cucci s Restaurant: Italian Fare approx. 4 miles (also delivers) $8 -$15 2) Subway: walk downtown $5-$8 3) Lindsay s Roost: Lunch/Dinner walk downtown $5-$15 4) Country Cafe: Full menu approx. 2 miles $5-$25 6