Tuesday, March 3, 2020 (7:07 am)

After serving on the OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors since 2018, Andreas Meyer has decided to leave his position on the Board. Meyer most recently served as Vice Chair of the Board and was a member of several Board committees, including the Governance Committee, the Safety & Security Committee and the Branding Project Ad Hoc Committee.

At the Board’s Feb. 27 meeting, Meyer announced his intention to step down and submitted his resignation this week to the Governor’s Office.

There are currently two vacant positions on the Board. Click here to apply to become a member of the Board of Directors.

Friday, February 28, 2020 (11:49 am)

The OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors voted Feb. 27 to approve a new Community Engagement Program aimed at helping local community groups, nonprofits and government agencies by supporting projects and events this year.

A Community Engagement Program was proposed by CEO Michele Richards as a way to include employees and the board in decisions on how OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC) supports local efforts that are in alignment with the agency’s mission and that meet specific criteria. OCFEC’s mission is “Celebration of Orange County’s communities, interests, agriculture and heritage.”

As part of OCFEC’s 2020 budget, a $150,000 Community Engagement Fund was set aside and a committee of two board members was created to work with a 10-member employee panel to determine which requests will be approved and funded.

“The idea of this Community Engagement Program is extremely important to me. I want a fully transparent process in place and I believe it is in the best interest of the organization and public for our employees to be involved in this decision-making,” said Richards. “We want these funds to help further our mission and to lift up the people and the organizations out there doing such good work in our communities.”

The Community Engagement Fund is one of several ways that OCFEC provides support to local philanthropic groups and other organizations.

The Community Meeting Space Program allows groups to use meeting rooms for free or at a discount and the Community Event Rental Waiver program offers free or discounted use of facilities for events and larger meetings. Facilities must not be booked for other uses and particular criteria must be met. Staffing and equipment rental or usage costs are not included in the fee waiver and are subject to charges.

Organizations interested in applying for any of OCFEC’s community programs can soon fill out an application online at ocfair.com/communityprograms.

Tuesday, January 28, 2020 (4:47 pm)

OC Fair & Event Center was honored with 16 awards for innovation and excellence by the Western Fairs Association (WFA). 

OCFEC received six first-place honors, four second-place awards and six third-place awards.

OC Fair’s 1st place awards: 

• New Animal Competitive Exhibit: Clean Barn Award program
• New Idea in Maintenance: Hand-washing station pump and wagon innovation 
• Theme Program: Acres of Fun
• Fair Logo
• New Innovative Use of Technology for Patrons: PrimoWind charging stations
• New Event, Exhibit or Program: Heroes Hall exhibit “Victory from Within”

OC Fair’s 2nd place awards:

• Fair-time Event: “Love is in the Fair” wedding contest
• Self-Promoted Non-Fair Event: Boo Ha Ha – A Haunted Oktobeerfest 
• Fair Pocket Program/Schedule
• Agriculture Programming: Agriculture-themed lounges (Avocado Pit, Orange Grove, Strawberry Patch and Beef Corral)

OC Fair’s 3rd place awards:

• Give it Your Best Shot, People (photography): Little girl with pink balloon in fountain (pictured above)
• Fair-time Advertising Poster
• Foreign Language Printed Marketing Campaign
• Digital Marketing Campaign
• Any Other Advertising Campaign: Promotional items
• Non-Profits: Big Brothers Big Sisters workplace mentoring program

Many prize categories were specific to the 2019 OC Fair and others were related to year-round events and programs. The Western Fairs Association presented the awards for 2019 achievements at its annual conference last week in Reno, NV. WFA is a nonprofit trade association serving the fair industry throughout the western United States and Canada. 

Friday, January 24, 2020 (1:24 pm)

PATCH.COM Jan.24, 2020:

ANAHEIM, CA —When tourism is your most significant industry, it is only natural to look to the youth to find the future of your workforce. Enter Orange County’s Tourism Workforce Initiative, a plan to encourage and develop young minds into future paid employees within the city of Anaheim’s broad tourism trade.

The year-long county-wide program got off to a great start Thursday with speakers, videos, career resources, and prizes from local attractions, retail outlets, and more in a presentation to members of the junior and senior classes at Anaheim High School.

“This is going to be a game-changer,” said Anaheim Union High School District Superintendent Mike Matsuda in kicking off the event.

A customized transit bus, wrapped with images of tourism industry professionals and the initiative’s tagline “OC Tourism: Grow Great Careers Here,” was staged on the quad steps away from the auditorium where the program took place. The event began with a brief opening ceremony featuring remarks by Anaheim Union High School District Superintendent Michael Matsuda and Anaheim Mayor Pro Tem Stephen Faessel.

The presentation included talks by engaging young professionals in the tourism industry who shared their educational backgrounds and career paths, short videos by the California State University System on educational opportunities, and videos specifically on hospitality industry careers. Prize drawings featured tickets to Knott’s Berry Farm, the OC Fair, and Star Wars-themed gift bags from Disneyland Resort.

“When you have a dream, when you want to make something happen, you need a lot of support,” said Jay Burress, President, and CEO of Visit Anaheim and Chairman of the Initiative. “I want to thank those who have made this possible,” he continued as he recognized the partners.

Anaheim Resort Transportation, Visit Anaheim, Best VIP Chauffeured, California Community Colleges, California State University System, Orange County Community Services, Knott’s Berry Farm, Newport Beach & Co., Trip.com, Travel Costa Mesa, Visit Huntington Beach, OC Fair & Event Center, Visit Huntington Beach, Irvine Retail Properties and South Coast Plaza.

The launch was attended by several special guests including Anaheim Mayor Pro Tem Faessel; President of the Anaheim Union High School District Board of Trustees Annemarie Randle-Trejo; 4th District Orange County Supervisor Doug Chaffee; Anaheim Union High School District Superintendent Matsuda; Field Representative Rachel Rolnicki from the office of Congressman Lou Correa; District Director Norma Campos Kurtz from the office of Assemblyman Tom Daly and more.

“Anaheim is all about tourism,” said Anaheim Mayor Pro Tem Stephen Faessel. “We’re celebrating the opportunity of our Anaheim High students to consider careers in tourism.”

Thursday, December 12, 2019 (11:47 am)

Michele Richards has been chosen as CEO to lead OC Fair & Event Center as it readies for its 130th annual fair.

The announcement was made at the Dec. 12 OC Fair Board meeting. Richards has served as Interim CEO since Oct. 28 and prior to that she was the agency’s VP of Business Development for more than seven years. She was also an organizational development consultant to OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC) for 11 years and next year will celebrate her 19th OC Fair.

“I cannot think of a better person to move us forward. Michele is extremely knowledgeable and exudes enthusiasm for OC Fair & Event Center and the communities we serve,” said board chair Sandra Cervantes. “Michele is very well-prepared for this role and comes into the position with the full support of the board and staff. We are excited about the future.”

Richards has more than 30 years of leadership experience in a variety of fields including advertising/marketing, organizational development, sales and human resources, including more than 15 years managing her own consulting practice.

At OCFEC, she has worked in several leadership positions including overseeing marketing, communications, events, creative services, sales, exhibits and education.

“I believe that what we do here is special and important and I am honored to be entrusted to serve this amazing organization,” said Richards. “To lead such a talented and passionate staff is the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Richards takes the CEO role at a time when the state agency, also known as California’s 32nd District Agriculture Association, is approving its yearly budget, working through branding assessment and planning 2020 events.