Only one Circus related blog got a notice of this deal. It is a superior example of elitism and we are great and you suck self serving circus organizations of today. Jackal's fighting over scraps, deciding what Jackel's can fight and who the Jackal's will be. OABA I have attempted to address with no response. The man now in charge of this "Federation deal" I respect and know quite well. I am sure his intentions are well meaning, and maybe he can tell us what in the world this has to do with the American Circus, or the Outdoor Amusement Business of America. Although they have a very small "circus" unit it deals basically with petting zoos, elephant rides, etc in the fair industry. Apparently there was a world wide competition to come up with the new logo for this new self appointed Monarchy of the Circus World. Was anybody aware of the competition, or did they pattern it after another well know competition. Absolutely incredible the cheek of some, in doing what they want, or what they perceive as good for the peasants. Showfolks, not for nothing but you all need to have a lot more pride then that. You have earned it. How many of these folks spent even one week knee deep in the mud and the shit getting it from town to town?
I am representing the newly formed Federation Mondiale du Cirque (of which
the OABA is a founding member). Would you please include the below
release about the winner of its worldwide logo competition in your blog?
Fédération Mondiale du Cirque announces Winner of Worldwide Logo Competition
After a review of thirty-three entries from France, Germany, Hungary,
Italy, Slovenia, South Africa, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the
USA, S.A.S. la Princesse Stéphanie of Monaco named Richard Molinier's logo
design as the winner.
The new logo is a tri-colour design with a performing horse, flying
trapeze artists and a clown's face under a circus tent set against a map
of the world.
"I tried to symbolize the heart of the circus with a horse, trapeze and
clown," wrote designer Molinier of L'Isle-sur-Tarn, France. A life-long
circus enthusiast and friend to many European circus artists, Molinier
explained that some of his fondest childhood memories were trips with his
uncle to the circus. A member of the French Club du Cirque, he is a
strong supporter of the circus, including animals and humans working
together. He closed his letter of submission for the competition with a
hearty "Vive le cirque!"
"We were thrilled with the response to our logo competition and very
impressed with the diversity of designs," said Laura van der Meer,
Executive Director of the Federation. "Narrowing down the selection to
five for the Princess was a difficult task, but I think her choice
captures the global circus community uniting under one Big Top." The new
logo is incorporated into the Federation website at
www.circusfederation.org or www.cirquemondial.org
The Federation was launched in January 2008 as a non-profit association of
circus organizations. Inspired by the late Prince Rainier III of Monaco,
it operates under the patronage of his daughter, S.A.S. la Princesse
Stéphanie. Its goal is to bring together the global circus community in
order to promote and preserve circus arts and culture around the world.
Founding Members of the Federation comprise the Festival International du
Cirque de Monte-Carlo, the Outdoor Amusement Business Association of the
USA, the European Circus Association, the Circus Federation of Australia,
the Animal Interest Alliance of South Africa, and the Canadian based En
Piste.
"I am going to suggest GOD BLESS AMERICA might be appropriate about now." Did we do nothing long enough, that a new King has taken over the territory? You sit and you watch, if this paper doesn't start serving select individuals and causes. Mean while send a donation to OABA they seem to be quite a valid organization. While you are at it, suggest that a circus personnel is like a "carnie" if you want to feel the real wrath of God."
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
None of this makes any sense, and is probably the ultimate "self serving" move in 40 years of "Mine, mine Circus"
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
4 comments:
Wayne McCary President of OABA, Spokes organization for International Circus and American Circus
Wayne McCary calls his office a command center, not only during the fair itself, but also for the 100-plus events that take place on his fairgrounds during the year.
McCary is president of the Eastern States Exposition, better known as The Big E, and as a hands-on person,
he says he "will seize any excuse not to sit behind his desk."
Unfortunately for McCary, he feels that "to run our kind of business it requires a lot of time and the job dictates that I need to be behind my desk when much of that work is taking place," he told AB. However, during the run of the fair, McCary feels his place is out on the grounds. "When the show is on, that's where you'll find me."
McCary sees his office also as a place to relax, a "refuse from whatever stress and excitement is taking place on the grounds." The surroundings reflect his past, his life growing up in amusement parks and circus surroundings.
A 100-year-old carousel horse, created by German master carver Freidrich Hyen, stands on a platform in his office. It serves as a "reminder of how fortunate I am to be in this business and how fortunate we are to be in a business where we can provide people great pleasure for a few hours."
There's a collection of miniature carousel horses on his bookshelves and a collection of miniature circus wagons from Circus World Museum.
On the walls are plaques commemorating his presidency of the International Assn. of Fairs & Expositions and his induction into the IAFE Hall of Fame in 2001.
There's a large, framed banner from the Cole Bros. Circus, featuring Clyde Beatty as animal trainer, and there is a collection of circus, amusement park and carnival books on his wooden book shelves. There is also a collection of history and political books, another area of interest for McCary.
He became CEO in 1991 and since then, he has overseen the renovations of the entire office building "At that point, I made sure my office was going to be the way I wanted it," he said. "It serves me well."
While the formal decor of the office reflects traditional New England conservatism, McCary points out an important fact. "The office may be a bit conservative, but no one has ever accused me of being conservative."
"Even if the Kingdom is to collapse, we should all have a right to decide what flag, we will live under." You folks are letting self serving interests dictate your future. Or at least that is the way I see it"
Wade Burck
In addition Mr. McCary can be depended upon to purchase the occasional wheel for a ring of fame induction. I was also wrong in stating earlier, that he flew to Monaco to "click wine glasses with the Princess". The correct term I have learned is "breaking bread". Does anybody see any "good old boy", "buddyism" in this mission statement.
"Please somebody explain to me what this has to do with Circus, International or otherwise?"
Wayne McCary, who has been president of the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E), West Springfield, Mass., since 1992, is the only fair manager who is a director with the Outdoor Amusement Business Assn.
A carnival and circus buff since childhood, he has spent more
than 25 years with The Big E, leaving briefly from 1983-1986 to manage the Portland (Maine) Civic Center. He was president of the International Assn. of Fairs & Expositions in 1997, and elected to the IAFE Hall of Fame in 2000.
McCary spoke with AB Associate Publisher Tom Powell about the Feb. 3-8 IISF trade show in Gibsonton, Fla., and fairs and carnivals, in general.
AB: How long have you been attending the trade show of the International Independent Showmen's Foundation in Gibsonton, and how important is it to you?
McCary: I've probably been going there for more than 25 years. It has grown dramatically. It offers a wonderful opportunity to see what's new in the market. The biggest thing I get is the great opportunity to interact with so many different people in the industry, whether they be ride manufacturers, vendors, concessionaires, fair managers, carnival owners, or whatever. They're out there in an environment that cultivates a chance to talk one on one, and I always get a lot out of it.
I'm always amazed that you see so many people from all over. It's a magnet for people in the outdoor show business, a can't-miss event for anybody connected at all with the business.
AB: I know you'll be attending the fair in West Palm Beach and the Florida State Fair, Tampa. Do you think it's still fair to say that Florida's winter fairs offer a gauge of what will happen in the summer and fall?
McCary: That's one of the reasons I go to those fairs. All of us are curious to see what barometer or reading we can take. Over the years, the Florida fairs have been a good indication of what we can expect in terms of economy, and the mood of the people working the fairs, and around Gibtown, whether it be optimism or pessimism. There's a lot to do in a relatively short period of time.
AB: While in Gibtown, I know you always visit the circus people in Sarasota with your friend, Bob Commerford. You even produce your circuses, including at The Big E, and others in the Northeast. Tell me a little about that.
McCary: Again, during Gibtown, in the space of a few days, I can accomplish so much on a personal basis. I always include a trip to Sarasota to break bread with my old ally, Tommy Hanneford, whose equipment and expertise we have relied on for years. It's a chance to see talent I may not have seen before, and visit with old friends. It's like one-stop shopping for me, and there aren't enough hours in the day to do it all.
AB: How important do you believe it is for a fair person, such as yourself, to be an OABA director, and now, for the first time, for carnival people Jeff Blomsness and Bill McKinney to be on the IAFE board?
McCary: I think that represents a goal a lot of us have had for years. Many of us have said it forever, that carnivals and fairs are a partnership. The relationship needs to be complimentary, not adversarial. The carnival industry was on the cutting edge when they elected me. In the beginning, some people may have thought a fair manager sitting with carnival owners or concessionaires may have been akin to a fox in a chicken coop. That notion was distilled after the first few meetings. For us to have a viable industry, we realize we have to work, plan, and think together. When I was president of IAFE in 1997, one of my priorities was to set the wheels in motion where we would all sit at the same table because that's where we all belong. We have common purposes and should get together more, and talk turkey.
AB: What are some of the important issues confronting OABA and IAFE today?
McCary: The fair industry needs to be concerned about how to grow attendance. Probably due to competition in the recreation industry for the public's time and money, attendance has been flat. We need to determine how we increase attendance as we move forward. We need to develop economic relationships that will ensure the survival of carnivals and financial integrity for the fairs, as we go down the road together. There needs to be some economic balance in the years to come. Otherwise, the two vital links that make it successful won't be there. Carnivals could become an endangered species if we aren't careful. Nobody wants that.
AB: How important is it for IAFE, OABA and SLA to work together, and do you believe they're getting closer?
McCary: It's paramount. The days are gone when you could stay on opposite sides of the street. We have the same goals and need to work together. Things don't get easier, with carnivals fighting all kinds of regulations and the high overhead of buying equipment, and fairs having to produce a quality product. Costs of doing that are extraordinary and increasing rapidly, as well. We need to increase revenues in the years to come so we can continue to produce quality fairs, while making sure we have powerful, safe, modern, well-run carnivals. It's a challenge for us all.
AB: Besides weather, what best affects attendance at a fair? I know your Mardi Gras concept has been copied by many, including your good friend Darwin Fuchs at the Miami-Dade County Fair. How important is marketing, promotion, talent?
McCary: Entertainment is the frosting on the cake. You start with a quality product and maintain that in a clean, safe environment. We need to market and promote aggressively to make sure people plan time in their busy lives to set aside for coming to the fair. When I was going to school in the 1960s, I kept hearing that by 2000 people would have four-day work weeks. I haven't seen many of them. Actually, people now have less time than before for leisure activities.
AB: Do you think your time in Gibsonton will be productive?
McCary: I'm a big believer in you've got to get away from your desk and get out in the field in this business. Be where the action is, and you know that in your job. You need to talk to the people who make this industry what it is. Going to Gibtown, the state fair, the OABA meetings is great. It brings people together. In the space of four days, I never stop. There's not enough time to get it all done, but it's an exciting, high-energy time. I love it.
In addition Mr. McCary can be depended upon to purchase the occasional wheel for a ring of fame induction. I was also wrong in stating earlier, that he flew to Monaco to "click wine glasses with the Princess". The correct term I have learned is "breaking bread". Does anybody see any "good old boy", "buddyism" in this mission statement.
"Please somebody explain to me what this has to do with Circus, International or otherwise?"
Wayne McCary, who has been president of the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E), West Springfield, Mass., since 1992, is the only fair manager who is a director with the Outdoor Amusement Business Assn.
A carnival and circus buff since childhood, he has spent more
than 25 years with The Big E, leaving briefly from 1983-1986 to manage the Portland (Maine) Civic Center. He was president of the International Assn. of Fairs & Expositions in 1997, and elected to the IAFE Hall of Fame in 2000.
McCary spoke with AB Associate Publisher Tom Powell about the Feb. 3-8 IISF trade show in Gibsonton, Fla., and fairs and carnivals, in general.
AB: How long have you been attending the trade show of the International Independent Showmen's Foundation in Gibsonton, and how important is it to you?
McCary: I've probably been going there for more than 25 years. It has grown dramatically. It offers a wonderful opportunity to see what's new in the market. The biggest thing I get is the great opportunity to interact with so many different people in the industry, whether they be ride manufacturers, vendors, concessionaires, fair managers, carnival owners, or whatever. They're out there in an environment that cultivates a chance to talk one on one, and I always get a lot out of it.
I'm always amazed that you see so many people from all over. It's a magnet for people in the outdoor show business, a can't-miss event for anybody connected at all with the business.
AB: I know you'll be attending the fair in West Palm Beach and the Florida State Fair, Tampa. Do you think it's still fair to say that Florida's winter fairs offer a gauge of what will happen in the summer and fall?
McCary: That's one of the reasons I go to those fairs. All of us are curious to see what barometer or reading we can take. Over the years, the Florida fairs have been a good indication of what we can expect in terms of economy, and the mood of the people working the fairs, and around Gibtown, whether it be optimism or pessimism. There's a lot to do in a relatively short period of time.
AB: While in Gibtown, I know you always visit the circus people in Sarasota with your friend, Bob Commerford. You even produce your circuses, including at The Big E, and others in the Northeast. Tell me a little about that.
McCary: Again, during Gibtown, in the space of a few days, I can accomplish so much on a personal basis. I always include a trip to Sarasota to break bread with my old ally, Tommy Hanneford, whose equipment and expertise we have relied on for years. It's a chance to see talent I may not have seen before, and visit with old friends. It's like one-stop shopping for me, and there aren't enough hours in the day to do it all.
AB: How important do you believe it is for a fair person, such as yourself, to be an OABA director, and now, for the first time, for carnival people Jeff Blomsness and Bill McKinney to be on the IAFE board?
McCary: I think that represents a goal a lot of us have had for years. Many of us have said it forever, that carnivals and fairs are a partnership. The relationship needs to be complimentary, not adversarial. The carnival industry was on the cutting edge when they elected me. In the beginning, some people may have thought a fair manager sitting with carnival owners or concessionaires may have been akin to a fox in a chicken coop. That notion was distilled after the first few meetings. For us to have a viable industry, we realize we have to work, plan, and think together. When I was president of IAFE in 1997, one of my priorities was to set the wheels in motion where we would all sit at the same table because that's where we all belong. We have common purposes and should get together more, and talk turkey.
AB: What are some of the important issues confronting OABA and IAFE today?
McCary: The fair industry needs to be concerned about how to grow attendance. Probably due to competition in the recreation industry for the public's time and money, attendance has been flat. We need to determine how we increase attendance as we move forward. We need to develop economic relationships that will ensure the survival of carnivals and financial integrity for the fairs, as we go down the road together. There needs to be some economic balance in the years to come. Otherwise, the two vital links that make it successful won't be there. Carnivals could become an endangered species if we aren't careful. Nobody wants that.
AB: How important is it for IAFE, OABA and SLA to work together, and do you believe they're getting closer?
McCary: It's paramount. The days are gone when you could stay on opposite sides of the street. We have the same goals and need to work together. Things don't get easier, with carnivals fighting all kinds of regulations and the high overhead of buying equipment, and fairs having to produce a quality product. Costs of doing that are extraordinary and increasing rapidly, as well. We need to increase revenues in the years to come so we can continue to produce quality fairs, while making sure we have powerful, safe, modern, well-run carnivals. It's a challenge for us all.
AB: Besides weather, what best affects attendance at a fair? I know your Mardi Gras concept has been copied by many, including your good friend Darwin Fuchs at the Miami-Dade County Fair. How important is marketing, promotion, talent?
McCary: Entertainment is the frosting on the cake. You start with a quality product and maintain that in a clean, safe environment. We need to market and promote aggressively to make sure people plan time in their busy lives to set aside for coming to the fair. When I was going to school in the 1960s, I kept hearing that by 2000 people would have four-day work weeks. I haven't seen many of them. Actually, people now have less time than before for leisure activities.
AB: Do you think your time in Gibsonton will be productive?
McCary: I'm a big believer in you've got to get away from your desk and get out in the field in this business. Be where the action is, and you know that in your job. You need to talk to the people who make this industry what it is. Going to Gibtown, the state fair, the OABA meetings is great. It brings people together. In the space of four days, I never stop. There's not enough time to get it all done, but it's an exciting, high-energy time. I love it.
FYI for any of you American Circus folks who may not know all the "players" in the World Circus Federation, Rodney Huey is Vice President of Public Relations for Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus, who is now representing the newly formed Federation Mondiale du Cirque (of which
the OABA is a founding member).
"Rest assured now that Mr. McCary has his "hand on the pulse of the American Circus, in Gibtown and Sarasota", with the aid of Ringling Bros. representatives and a Princess it should all bode well for the rest of us, as they represent us and spread "our" agenda to the world. What a self serving joke."
Wade Burck
Post a Comment