Fair Game with Robert Smith

Today we welcome Collin, Adrienne and Benny Rolf. Together the sibling trio make up, Renata the Banda. They took time out of their fair performance schedule (YES! They were actually at a fair when we spoke!) to come on the show and share their pandemic experience and talk about how great it felt to be back on stage performing at the Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair.

Interim CEO Walter Marquez has his hands full at the Los Angeles County Fair. As the grounds has been forced to cancel back-to-back fairs now, he’s tasked with navigating the fair in Pomona, CA through tumultuous waters. He’s joined by Don DeLano the Farm Manager (and resident historian) of the LACF.

Steve Trash is a performer who talks the talk and walks the walk when it comes to conservation. He is without question one of the most polished and professional acts in the industry. He joins us from his home in Alabama to talk about conservation, the pandemic and the future of fairs.

Professionally know as, “Bandaloni,” Paul David is an accomplished entertainer who delights audiences with him incredible one-man-band performance. He joins the show from Ontario, Canada where the border to the US is still closed due to Covid. We talk all things fair, pandemic and why he has toboggans and sleds in the corner of his home.

Jamie Larson is the fair manager of the Richland County Fair in Sydney, Montana. She pulls double duty as the president of the Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs. We had a terrific chat about the challenges she’s faced during the pandemic.

Nancy Smith is the General Manager of the South Carolina State Fair. During her time at the fair her team has faced its ups and downs. From flooding to record setting events to the pandemic, patience and quality leadership has brought them through it all.

Matt Cranford is the CEO of the Stanislaus County Fair in California. The government restrictions have proven to be an enormous challenge for the fair as they move into 2021. Matt talks about that plus, did the Stanislaus County Fair create the best fair ad ever? All that and more on today’s episode.

Jeremy Emerson is a partner and creative director for Saffire. Saffire has become the industry standard for quality marketing and efficient mobile ticketing. On today’s show we talk about how Saffire supported their clients during the pandemic.

Bill Buchanan is the owner of Kids Celebration - an exciting & interactive family experience that includes fun games and challenges. Having faced a difficult 2020, Bill and his attraction are ready to rock and roll in 2021.

Don Delahoyde is the immediate past president for NICA, the National Independent Concessionaires Association. While enjoying that warm Arizona sunshine, Don joins us to talk the concession business, NICA and the pandemic.