The East Council invites you to enjoy a Hot Breakfast Buffet onTuesday, October 17th at the North Carolina State Fair’s Hall of Fame Room, located in the Graham Building. Enjoy greetings from NICA and North Carolina State Fair Leadership and learn more about NICA! This event will also feature guest speakers, door prizes, food and beverages, and a drawing for a camper space at the next North Carolina State Fair. All Food and Beverage Vendors and Commercial Exhibitors are encouraged to attend. We hope to see you there!
Dear Business Owners, Managers, Fair Industry Leaders, Trade Show Exhibitors, and YOU! We are proud to announce the upcoming 2023 NICA Marketplace, "Together!" event, taking place December 3-6, 2023 at the Tuscany Suites and Casino in Las Vegas, NV, where we will share ideas, networking, products, and services.
$119 Early Bird Registration Ending Soon
Time is running out! Friday, October 13, 2023 will be the last day you can register at the Early Bird Member Registration rate of $119. Afterwards, the Registration rate will increase to $169 for members! If you know you are coming, save yourself the extra $50 and register today.
Book Your $79 Hotel Room at the Tuscany
Reserve your accommodations at the $79 Room Rate, Sunday, December 3rd through Thursday, December 7th, with no resort fee($44 waived), at the beautiful Tuscany Suites and Casino in Las Vegas. These suite sized rooms feature kitchenettes, free Wi-Fi, and Free Parking! The hotel is located only six blocks off the strip on Flamingo Road (directly behind Horseshoe and Paris) and six minutes from the McCarran International Airport.
NICA Marketplace, "Together!" will feature a non-exclusive Trade Show, Educational Sessions led by hands-on Event Industry Thought Leaders, and Networking Opportunities that are welcome and comfortable—a place where we all understand we are Customers of each other and "Together" we share a Fair Guest to serve. We are proud to welcome many new and returning Trade Show Exhibitors to this year’s event including Action Lighting, Aspire/Otis Spunkmeyer, Beach Cities, Berk, Boxed Water, ChemxWorks, Entegra, Eventeny, Fare Foods, Fiserv, Florida's Best, Good Source Solutions, Heinz, Holten Meats, Hummel Group, JKJ Workforce, The Langlois Company, Luxe Retail, McCain Foods, McGowan Allied Specialty Insurance, OA Finance, OCC Signs, Pactiv, Smithfield, Sysco, and Uncommon USA. See you in Vegas!
Sign in to your Online Member Account when registering to receive your special rate. If you do not have an account or are not sure what it is, you can Create Your Account today; if you do not receive a verification or reset link in your email, you may not have a valid email on file.
Stay tuned to NICA's emails, social media and www.nicainc.org/marketplace for upcoming event information, programming updates, and more. If you have any questions or require registration assistance, please contact us at (813) 438-8926 or reply to this email. "Together We Can!"
Since 1994, Eastern Lighting has been serving the lighting needs of interior locations such as trade shows, commercial spaces, and more nationwide. Lighting is one of the most important, yet frequently overlooked, factors affecting commercial sales both in and out of the Fair Industry. NICA and Eastern Lighting have teamed up to offer NICA Members a 22% Discount on Eastern Lighting's popular Totalite light fixture (pictured), which has proved to be very useful to indoor Commercial Exhibitors and Food and Beverage Concessionaires. The extra light can attract more attention, offering a level of attractiveness to your product and excitement to your booth or stand.
Jeff Thornberry, CCE, Director, has been a fan of Eastern Lighting for quite some time. He said, “My experience with Eastern Lighting has been fantastic. They drop-shipped directly to where I needed the lights. In my experience, my total gross goes up by 20% when I turn my lights on, versus no lights. You get to choose the temperature of the light, which means the color of the light, and you can match it to the product offering you are selling. You aren’t just buying an incredibly bright fixture; it’s low power consumption, too.” Brent Neal, Eastern Lighting, shared, “One thing that sets us apart is that you can call and talk to me directly. You can even send pictures of your booth. I’ll explain how to use our products the best to improve your business. I look forward to helping you with your lighting needs!”
How Does the Eastern Lighting Benefit Work?
Put Eastern Lighting’s experienced team to work for you! Contact Brent Neal at (832) 875-3783 and brent.neal@easternlighting.com or Tonya Dedeaux at tonyad@easternlighting.com, and let them know you are a NICA Member when ordering to receive your discount. To learn more about the Totalite product, and other products offered by Eastern Lighting, select the button below.
We are now accepting 2023 NICA Hall of Fame Nominations until November 10, 2023. This process is open to all NICA Members in good standing. Don Delahoyde, CCE, Past President (pictured above with 2022 President Daryl Whicheloe, CCE and friends), was the 2022 Hall of Fame Award Recipient.
The NICA Hall of Fame award honors distinguished achievements and outstanding contributions by any individual “to the health and well-being of this organization by any means, whether it be through hard work, influence, financial contribution or by any other positive method and/or whether they be concessionaire, associate, event management, administration or volunteer. All Nominees submitted by the deadline date will be evaluated by the Hall of Fame Committee and the top three will be referred to the NICA Board of Directors for the final decision.” (Policies and Procedures, 2007)
Conditions of Eligibility
Nominator and Nominee must be NICA Members in good standing
Nominee has identified with NICA and the fair and event industry for a minimum of ten years
Nominee has shown substantial contributions to NICA through leadership, education, legislation, technical service and/or outstanding service to the associated industries and organizations serving the fair and event industry
Supporting Documentation
Reason for proposing the nominee
A statement of the contributions made by the individual to NICA and the fair and event industry
Record of his/her professional and industry achievements (articles, citations, letters, etc.)
A headshot of the individual (if available)
All Recommendations Due by November 20, 2023
Download the form below or online at www.nicainc.org/halloffame and send your completed nomination forms and supporting materials before the November deadline to nica@nicainc.org. You may also send your materials by physical mail to NICA Hall of Fame Nominations, 1043 E. Brandon Blvd. Brandon, FL 33511. "Together We Can!"
Up to Five NICA Members Can Receive a First Timer's Convention Scholarship
Have you always wanted to attend a NICA Convention but just haven’t committed to it? Whether it be because of expense, timing, or any other reason, the NICA Foundation is here to help get you there! It is with much excitement that we announce this year's Scholarship Opportunity for NICA Members to attend a NICA Convention for the first time.
Jan Gary, CCE and Karen Gary, Leap of Faith Adventures, were the first recipients of the program in 2020. They shared, “Thank you for the opportunity to attend the NICA Business Expo. It was relaxing yet invigorating, educational yet not overwhelming. We enjoyed the smaller more friendly venue and opportunities to meet and share with Concessionaires from other parts of the country. The Food Show was delicious, plus we saw new ideas and products. The First Timer’s Scholarships definitely made it affordable at a time of year when we are watching the budget closely. We are oh so glad we applied and were accepted. It was a wonderful gift and a blessing to be in Tampa and meet new friends with the same focus and dedication to Fairs.”
How Does it Work?
Up to five current NICA Members will receive $500 each towards travel expenses.
Who Can Apply?
Must be a first-time attendee to a NICA Convention.
Must be a current NICA Member (annual dues must be satisfied if due).
Must be available to assist NICA during the Convention.
Must submit an article of Convention experience to NICA News.
Must be currently active in the Outdoor Amusement Industry.
When are Applications Due?
Applications are due November 1st for NICA Marketplace, held December 3-6, 2023, and December 15th for the NICA Business Expo & Fare Foods Food Show, held February 5-7, 2024.
Do you have any news or resources you would like to share with us? Reply to this email, post on our Social Media pages, or utilize our Submit Your Content tool. "Together We Can!"
Cooler weather has allowed bird weights to increase increasing supply on jumbo and medium sizes. Breasts have ample supply. Tenders supply has improved thanks to bird weights and seasonality. Wings of all sizes have good demand and short supply. Dark meat demand is staying strong. Whole birds are steady.
Pork
Butts finally showed some weakness in the market as demand has leveled off. Ribs are still soft as supplies have increased especially the St. Louis complex. Loins are also down due to low interest from retail. Bellies saw minimal movement for next week which could be a sign the market is becoming steady.
Beef
Packers continue to reduce harvest and try to drive cattle prices lower. Tenders and ribs, upper 2/3 grade and light weight range, continue to move higher on limited inventory and demand. Strips for the near term have cleaned up and packers continue to sell the value to buyers. Chucks and rounds continue to be balanced. Grinds continue to struggle with more supply than demand.
Eggs / Dairy
Shell egg markets are adjusting, with some bearish activity. Cheese markets continue to decrease. Cream and Culture pricing will have nominal increases across the country for October.
Grains / Oil
Soybean stocks are higher than expected but lower than the last few years. Biofuel profitability is driving the soybean oil futures lower as producers are using less than expected. Canola oil is firm as harvest is nearly 75% done and Canola seed prices are cheap. Palm oil moved slightly higher with better production numbers.
Seafood
The Tilapia market is poised for inventory challenges and pricing going into the first quarter of the new calendar year due to the heavy floods in China. Going into the holidays, expect increased usage on shellfish items we see normal demand spikes for this time of year: Shrimp, Crab, and lobster products.
Cauliflower
Market trend looks to push higher. Overall supplies seem to be getting lighter many growers are subbing sizes to fill orders out.
Citrus
Lemons – Market is trending lower in pricing with better supply on lettuce. Good volume on Romaine, market creeping up though as we head towards the transition. Romaine Hearts, market stronger as well, as suppliers begin to tighten up.
Oranges – Strong demand and tight supplies on small sizes 113-138’s, small sizes expected to remain tight through the Valencia season. Crop peaking on 72’s and larger. The market continues to strengthen on 88’s and smaller.
Limes – Pricing remains elevated, however, demand has flatlined. Peak sizing currently consists of small fruit, including 230’s & 250’s; large fruit is scarce. Availability continues to decline week after week.
Lettuce
Market is trending lower in pricing with better supply on lettuce. Good volume on Romaine, market creeping up though as we head towards the transition. Romaine Hearts, market stronger as well, as suppliers begin to tighten up.
Peppers
East – Green pepper supply lighter, demand good, and market stronger. Red and Yellow bells are very short in supply.
West – Green supply is good and moderate supplies of reds. Yellow bells remain very light.
The October 2023 issue of NICA News has the theme, "All In For Gathering!"
Featuring NICA Marketplace Programming, Activities, and Exhibitors, Early Bird Registration, Thoughts From a CCE, President's Message, Director's Voice, Riffing With Rey, Meet the Candidates, A Piece of the Pie, Eastern Lighting, 2024 NICA Business Expo and Fare Foods Food Show Information, End of Summer Gatherings, Photos, and more!
NICA is a membership-driven organization dedicated to strengthening relationships with the Fair, Festival, and Special Events Industries through effective communication, benefits, education, leadership, and solutions.
Time is running out! Friday, October 13, 2023 will be the last day you can register at the Early Bird Member Registration rate of $119. Afterwards, the Registration rate will increase to $169 for members! If you know you are coming, save yourself the extra $50 and register today.
Since 1994, Eastern Lighting has been serving the lighting needs of interior locations such as trade shows, commercial spaces, and more nationwide. Lighting is one of the most important, yet frequently overlooked, factors affecting commercial sales both in and out of the Fair Industry. NICA and Eastern Lighting have teamed up to offer NICA Members a 22% Discount on Eastern Lighting's popular Totalite light fixture (pictured), which has proved to be very useful to indoor Commercial Exhibitors and Food and Beverage Concessionaires. The extra light can attract more attention, offering a level of attractiveness to your product and excitement to your booth or stand. 
Have you always wanted to attend a NICA Convention but just haven’t committed to it? Whether it be because of expense, timing, or any other reason, the NICA Foundation is here to help get you there! It is with much excitement that we announce this year's Scholarship Opportunity for NICA Members to attend a NICA Convention for the first time.
