Inside:
- President's Message
- Fairplex Conference Center and Business Park Update
- Association Spotlight: Bill Fox
- Employee Spotlight: Troy Lagasca
- The Learning Centers at Fairplex
- The L.A. County Fair - It's Coming
- Fairplex Urban Farm offers Table to Farm Dinners
President's Message
 One Big Community
Henrik Ibsen said, “A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm.” We at Fairplex feel fortunate that we have many opportunities to take the helm in our community. Yes, we are business leaders as one of the largest employers and tax generators in Pomona, but equally important are our connections to our neighbors.
Last December, we invited our neighbors to decorate holiday cookies and enjoy hot cocoa. In April, hundreds of youngsters and their parents came out for a spring egg hunt and egg decorating party. The hillside was filled with plastic eggs, and the robust giggle s of children ages 1 to 12 could be heard across the grounds as oval treasures were found secreted in trees and hiding under tall blades of grass.
Also in April, we gathered, shovel to rake, with our neighbors to put a little polish on Pomona during the 5th annual Pomona Beautification Day. After a morning of clean-up, all volunteers gathered at Fairplex for an old-fashioned barbecue.
Lastly, we know how important it is to instill a sense of community and social justice in the leaders of tomorrow. So, we revamped our Junior Fair Board program to task the high school juniors an d seniors in the program to develop community benefit projects. Since then, our Junior Fair Board has contributed to Shoes That Fit, which donates shoes and socks to children in need, and collected sporting equipment for the Boys & Girls Club of Pomona Valley. They also organized a dog walk, Aye Chihuahua, with proceeds benefiting the Inland Valley Humane Society, and a 5K walk, Walk for Ramos, which raised funds for La Verne resident Noah Ramos, who suffers from aplastic anemia.
The result of these efforts: A deepening of our relationship with our community and a growing appreciation on all sides of the role Fairplex plays. In some ways, even more than our bottom line, our success this year lies in the growing and understanding of our value as a resource and partner with our community.
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Fairplex Business Growth & Development
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Conference Center Construction Continues
The Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center is scheduled to open in December. The center’s sales team continues to diligently market and book the new complex. Construction on the high-tech, 85,000-square-foot conference center is picking up pace now that the weather is cooperating. Inclement weather this winter had briefly slowed work. For more information on booking the conference center, contact Cindy Smith at (909) 868-5954.
Business Park Moves Forward
The city of Pomona continues to explore the environmental elements of the Fairplex Business Park, apr oposed flex-industrial/office park that will convert some Barretts equine barns to commercial use. The new venture also involves the conversion of a segment of barns into self-storage units. The project is scheduled to go before the Pomona City Council in July.
Feeding the Masses
Cornucopia, Fairplex’s food and beverage company, continues to make an impact in the concession business beyond Fairplex. Several product units/food and beverage units have traveled to serve the masses at functions throughout Southern California. Food stands offered barbecue and Mexican food to guests of the Big 4 heavy metal music festival and the Stagecoach country music festival, both held in Indio. Beer stands provided service at the Upland Lemon Festival. With its increased off-site bookings, Cornucopia is searching for a salesperson to keep its momentum going, as well as to boost daily traffic to Finish Line Sports Grill. The salesperson also will assist in drawing new business to the L.A. County Fair’s Day at the Races program, which books groups to enjoy lunch, horse racing and a day of fun at the Fair. More information on Day at the Races can be obtained by calling (909) 623-3111. |
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Association Spotlight: Bill Fox
Seeing the Potential, Envisioning the Future
 When Bill Fox first attended the L.A. County Fair nearly 15 years ago, he enjoyed the exhibits and attractions and even indulged a bit in the famous Fair fare – just like every guest. Now, as a Los Angeles County Fair Association member (and recently appointed director-elect), Fox surveys the Fair as he would one of his own businesses, examining the enterprise behind the fun.
“I’ll walk the grounds and get ideas about doing this or changing that,” said Fox, past president of both William Fox Group Inc. and William Fox Homes Inc.
He isn’t shy about sharing those ideas with LACFA’s officers. “No idea is a stupid idea.”
And Fox has a bag full of ideas, which is why he chose to become part of LACFA.
“There is so much room for potential at Fairplex. It’s a great community resource.”
That keen business eye is one of the reasons Fox will fit well on the board, said Chairman Rich Crean. Once Fox was invited to join the association in 2009, he immediately jumped into action, joining the Junior Fair Board, Fairtime Education and Claremont Community committees and heading the Big Yellow Bus program, which seeks transportation funding for school field trips to the Fair.
“The Fair really is a classroom cleverly disguised as fun,” Fox said, reciting the tagline used to describe the experience rendered by the free field trips offered to children from preschool through eighth grade. “It’s great to see the children’s excitement.”
Fox particularly enjoys his time during the Fair as part of the “tunnel team.” He and retired teacher/Fair volunteer Rosemary Henderson greet school children as they exit the Blue Gate tunnel into the fairgrounds on field trip days. “I have the best time seeing all those kids. It’s a great experience.”
Perhaps the foundation for Fox’s LACFA involvement stems from his childhood visits and participation at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Or maybe it’s from his belief that you return to the community what was given to you. Whatever the origin, Fox is committed to increasing LACFA’s involvement in entertainment, education and the community.
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Employee Spotlight: Troy Lagasca
Troy Lagasca joined the Fairplex sales team in April as an account executive. Lagasca is responsible for exploring new year-round events as well as focusing on opportunities that will support all the Fairplex business units. Lagasca joined Fairplex from Lupin Pharmaceuticals, where he worked for seven years and was ranked number one nationally in total market share. He also worked for Global Micro in computer hardware sales, where he was number one in sales.
Being in sales, and being successful at it, means you have to be a relationship person, Lagasca said. “You have to gain trust to gain business. There are highs and there are lows, but every day it’s different. That’s what I like about it.”
A Pomona native and resident, Lagasca believes he has an advantage in his position because he is part of the community. He enjoys the camaraderie he’s experiencing at Fairplex. “I’ve always worked on my own. I really like the family environment here.”
The father of two likes to travel – whether it’s snow or beach, it’s all about the adventure. He said his favorite trip was a visit he and his wife took to Rio. “Best beaches ever!”
In his new position, Lagasca hopes to develop new, fresh ideas that will be rewarding to him and Fairplex.
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The Learning Centers at Fairplex
Walking the Talk
 The introduction last year of the realigned educational programming at Fairplex brought with it a renewed sense of pride and commitment from Fairplex employees. Staff members have taken a greater sense of ownership for The Learning Centers at Fairplex – consisting of the Career & Technical Education Center (CTEC), Child Development Center, Fairtime Education, Junior Fair Board and Millard Sheets Center for the Arts. March was TLC month at Fairplex, offering staff an opportunity to get involved. An employee donation drive saw a good percentage of staff contribute through one-time gifts and weekly contributions via their paycheck. An in-service day was held March 31 in which every employee had an opportunity to take several classes through CTEC, including horticulture, ceramics and car repair. Some staff members have even volunteered as instructors for CTEC.
Fun in a Bottle
Join us for an evening of tastings, music and gourmet food trucks at FUN Decanted, a festival of world-class wine, beer and spirits benefitting The Learning Centers. The June 25 event features the award winners from the 2011 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition and includes a silent auction, dancing, taste and learn classes, and Saturday Night Chef Fights. Tickets are $50 per person. For more information or to buy tickets, visit tlcfairplex.org/fundecanted.
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2011 L.A. County Fair - It's Coming!
When we tell you the sharks are circling Fairplex, well, we mean it. The fascinating world of sharks will be explored daily in Shark Encounter during the 89th anniversary L.A. County Fair, Sept. 3-Oct. 2. The new shark exhibit is just one of the many attractions the Fair’s creative team is developing to awe the expected more than 1.4 million guests.
 Before last year’s Fair even ended, staff was hard at work on programming for 2011. One of the biggest attractions from last year, Our Body: The Universe Within, was such a critical and educational success, it will return this year, albeit with a new spin on healthy lifestyles. Our Body explains the internal structure of human anatomy using plastinated human specimens.
Displayed with dignity and using scientific analysis, Our Body is a one-of-a-kind experience most often found in a museum setting.
In keeping with the educational value espoused by The Learning Centers at Fairplex, our school field trip program is already taking reservations for the free program, which brings more than 100,000 students and teachers to the Fair annually. Children will get an opportunity to learn about California’s rich agriculture history at FairView Farms, come this close to giant dinosaurs in Jurassic Planet and experiment with everyday science at America’s Kids.
The Fair will not disappoint with its two top attractions – shopping and food. Expect to see more than 600 vendors selling unique wares and food that can only be described as unforgettable, including the all-new deep-fried baby back ribs and returning gourmet food trucks.
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| Table to Farm Dinners Showcase Commitment to Fresh Food |
Embracing the popular locavore movement right in our back yard, Fairplex’s Urban Farm’s harvest has already championed several successful Table to Farm dinners, creating an eclectic vibe on McKinley’s Grille’s menus.
The brainchild of Chef David Teig and Fairplex horticulturalist Don DeLano, the Urban Farm offers fresh, organically grown fruits and vegetables that Teig incorporates into every dish he prepares at McKinley’s. The desire to create a unique al fresco dining experience bore the concept of taking guests right to the source of the delicious, healthy food – Teig decided to take the tables to the garden located in FairView Farms. There, he picks vegetables and herbs from the vine and cooks them as guests watch. Meals are often paired with award-winning wines and spirits from the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition.
The next table to farm dinner experience is June 3. For reservations, call (909) 868-5915.
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