Western Fairs Association Convention - 2022 | Western Fairs Association | 16 January 2022 | Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E 2nd St, Reno, NV 89595, USA

Building better fairs by supporting professional leadership, and by providing education, communication and advocacy.

Founded in 1922 and incorporated in 1945, Western Fairs Association (WFA) is a nonprofit trade association serving the fair industry throughout the western United States and Canada. The association's primary purpose is to assist in maintaining the highest professional standards within the fair industry through a voluntary network of individuals and organizations. The primary objective of Western Fairs Association is to promote the prosperity of fairs through educational activities, training programs and legislative advocacy.

Currently Western Fairs serves more than 800 members, representing fair-related businesses, fair management, fair board directors, festivals and industry associations. This membership is represented by a 21-member elected board of directors that governs the activities and policies of the association.

2022 Speakers

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

Shawn Ellis
Founder and President, The Speakers Group

Rachel Sheerin
Keynote Speaker and Virtual Emcee

Will Bowen
President, Lamplighter, Inc.

SPEAKERS:

James Judkins
JKJ Workforce

Eaton Dunkelberger
CEO, Sierra Nevada Journeys

Renee Mello
Broker Associate, Renee Mello & Associates

Judy Culbertson
California Foundation for Ag in the Classroom

Mindy DeRohan
California Foundation for Ag in the Classroom

Jake Stanksy
President, XO Pandora

Cassie Roberts Dispenza
VP of Strategic Planning, Saffire

Andy Walden
VP of Marketing, KPS3 Agency

Paul Kuber, PhD
Washington State University

Lindsay Chichester
University of Nevada, Reno

Lesly Wade
CFSA

Brian Smith
CFSA

Oran Morrision
Plumas Sierra County Fair

Lisa Genasci
Chief Grants Officer & Instructor & Karen van Hest, Director of Reimbursement

Mat Sinclair
CEO, Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum

Kat Miller
Director, Nevada Department of Veteran Services, Combat Veteran

Larry Swartzlander
Executive Director California Authority of Racing Fairs

Jeannie Kegebein
Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundations

Ryan Cleland
4-H Community Education Specialist, Cooperative Extension Butte County

Nancy Leuenhagen
Communications Director, Washoe County

Marc Young
Owner, MyCreative

Shadi Hayek
VP of Sales, Webconnex

Carolan Ferreria
Owner, Professional Event Services

Joe Ganino
Owner, Blackhawk Protection, Inc.

Kevin Phillips
Town Manager, City of Paradise

Terry Bell
Operations Coordinator, Nevada Volunteers (The Governor’s Commission on Service)

Pieter Droop
Director, Veterans Advocacy Support Team

James Judkins
JKJ Workforce Agency

John Steffanic
CEO, Plumas Sierra County Fair

Eric Wofford
CEO, Yuma County Fair & Jon Baker, CEO, Pima County Fair

Trudy Larson
Staff Physicians, Institute for Health Impact and Equity at University of Nevada, Reno

Gerold Dermid
Staff Physicians, Institute for Health Impact and Equity at University of Nevada, Reno

PANELISTS:

Ryann Newman
Owner, The Fruit Caboose

Jerome Hoban
CEO, Alameda County Fair, a Representative from Ray Cammack Shows

MODERATORS:

Lindsay Chichester
University of Nevada, Reno & Paul Kuber - Washington State University

Lauri Giannini
Calaveras County Fair & Tiffany Carter

Pat Conklin
Dixon May Fair

Judy Carrico
Wildly Successful Fair Planning

Vanessa Adams
Nez Perce County Fair

Carolan Ferriera
Professional Event Services

Joe Ganino
Blackhawk Protection, Inc.

John Steffanic
Plumas-Sierra County Fair

2022 Sponsors

• Alameda County
• Professional Event Services
• Antelope Valley Fairgrounds
• The Grounds
• The Big Fresno Fair
• Midway of Fun
• Butler
• CDFA
• CFSA
• CocaCola
• Helm and Sons Amusements
• Lori's Concessions
• Madera District Fair
• RCS
• Fair Payment Processing
• Cow Palace
• Etix
• Fairplex
• Hot Dog on a Stick
• San Mateo County Fair
• Event Hub
• Plumas Sierra
• California Mid State Fair