A Message from Lauren
I hope this message finds you deep into your fall events, winter storage or practicing self-care post fair. I trust each of your fairs was successful and hopefully with more sunshine than raindrops. I'm confident the last fairgoer had barely walked out the gate at closing and you had already begun planning for the 2026 fair.
2025 saw changes for the Association with Jennifer Lawrence taking over the Executive Secretary role from Mark St. Jacques, Jason Craig taking the 3rd Vice President role with a fresh, new set of eyes and personally for me, the birth of my son, Robert Louis Delaney IV.
Convention 2026 is fast approaching, the theme of the President’s Reception and ShowPeople’s Party will be Cops & Robbers. We are again continuing with Saturday being “Fair Flair” day. We are encouraging all attendees to highlight the fair or show related business they represent with their attire. We have changed the name for the day to incorporate more from our partners with the New York State ShowPeople’s Association. We have already committed to return the Syracuse Marriott Downtown Hotel for 2027. Tours are on-going for a location for 2028 and beyond. After a year in Syracuse, Lisa and the Program Committee along with the Executive Committee have made some great changes to the use of space at the hotel. The use of space has been streamlined and we will no longer be using the grand ballroom on the 10th floor. Hopefully this eliminates any angst with the elevators. The preliminary program looks strong and I’m excited to celebrate with everyone in January.
Unfortunately, due to my advanced pregnancy, this year my fair travel was limited. But I did have the opportunity to go to a few fairs and I was very impressed. Specifically, the hospitality I received at Grahamsville Little World’s fair was second to none! I always say, no matter how big or small the fair is, there is always the opportunity to learn something from another fair! I do plan to make it a point to visit several fairs this summer.
- Lauren Delaney, President
