that the days we did not open could provide new opportunities for the event. We decided to operate our first large scale corpo- rate event, a company party for employees of a large multi-state corporation, during one of our “dark days” of the fair. It was a smashing success with positive comments from the patrons as well as the company’s management. On top of that we discov- ered a new source of revenue that can absolutely be expanded upon in the future. None of this would have been possible with- out honest engagement from both the fair and midway provider about what each organization could realistically accomplish in order to make these kinds of big changes. It also takes guts. This was a calculated gamble that definitely paid off in the end, but without proper communication and planning it absolutely could have headed in another, costly, direction. There is no doubt that the fair and mobile amusement industries are going through changes. Our target audience is shifting in age and trying to engage with our patrons has be- come more complex and competitive within the entertainment market. Sharing new and innovative ideas between our com- mon industries will benefit us all. In the spirt of shared ideas
and values we have seen individuals from each industry taking active roles in the trade organizations representing the amuse- ment business and fairs. Working together in this manner has allowed us to share our industry perspectives with each other resulting in stronger partnerships between fairs and those in the mobile amusement business. Times have changed. Our customers have changed. These changes are occurring faster and faster with each passing year. Our industry must continue to change with them. These changes require fairs and midway providers working together on a level not seen before. It also requires a more comprehen- sive understanding of the economic, social and logistical chal- lenges faced by each group’s respective organizations. We are becoming more familiar with what each other needs to operate. This level of transparency is what will allow us to continue our industries’ traditions, while simultaneously creating a more contemporary style of operating that results in more economi- cally advantageous and operationally efficient events.
Safe Travels and God Bless, Andy
NOVEMBER 2022 | OABA ShowTime Magazine 5
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