Welcome to NICA!
The National Independent Concessionaires Association is a membership-driven organization dedicated to strengthening relationships with the Fair, Festival, and Special Events Industries through effective Communication, Education, Benefits, Leadership, and Solutions.
Our growing membership includes over 1,100 mobile food and retail Concessionaires, Fairs, Festivals, and Associate Members in Industry-related companies that specialize in distribution, insurance, manufacturing, supplies, and special services in the United States and Canada. NICA's large number of benefits include discounts on variety of items including food, beverages, supplies, travel, and lodging, so you can make the most of your season.
NICA participates in a majority of State Fair annual conventions nationwide along with the NICA Business Expo and Fare Foods Food Show in February, Florida Federation of Fairs Convention and Trade Show in May, IAFE Convention in November, and NICA Marketplace and Trade Show in December.
Read the Latest Issue of NICA News:
NICA Election Ballots Are Due By Friday, December 20th
It's that time of year again! Election Ballots are Due on Friday, December 20, 2024. This year's Candidates running for NICA's Board of Directors are Michelle Allen, CCE, H&M Funnel Cake Express; Nathan Vandewarker, Maverick Concepts; and Trent Wilkes, Wilkes Concessions. Read more about them on our Director Elections website and in the December Issue of NICA News.
We sent out election ballots in November to Voting Members. Members without email, non-working emails, or those with a shared email address were sent the election ballot via mail. If you have any questions, or you never received a ballot, contact the NICA Office at (813) 438-8926. Thank you for your continued support!
Thank You for Attending NICA Marketplace "Together!"
Wow, what a week! Monday and Tuesday's Opening and Closing General Sessions, Educational Workshops, Roundtables, and Trade Shows were packed (pictured above is the Trade Show Ribbon Cutting). We were "Moving Forward Together!" thanks to Jim Teece during the Opening Session and "Reaffirming Our Relevance!" with Michael Bradley and "Seizing Opportunity!" with Gene Cassidy, CFE during the Closing General Session. Congratulations to our prize winners throughout the event, including Side-By-Side winner Daryl Whicheloe, CCE, our Good Neighbor Award Recipient State Fair of Virginia, and CCE Award recipients Rodney Fazackerley, CCE, Miki Martin, CCE, Rebecca Wells, CCE, Kristen Whicheloe, CCE, Ed White, CCE, Nick White, CCE, and Persis White, CCE.
Our 15 Educational Sessions included "What Does Go Into Deciding Price?" "Being Commercially Relevant in a Changing World," "Successfully Laying Out Space," "Insurance… Too Much or Too Little?" "Chasing Profits," "Vendors Are Your Customers," "Compelling Commercial Exhibits Enhance the Guest Experience," "Honoring the Past While Embracing the Future," "DOT Safety Updates," "Locating and Training Temporary Labor," "Prioritizing Infrastructure Upgrades," "What’s NEW At the Point of Sale?" and "Safety and Security."
The event also featured 8 "How To" Workshops with “How To” topics like Legal Help, Moving Equipment, Using Fiserv/Clover/APEX, Adopting Tipping Protocols, Staying Organized, and Lighting. 22 Roundtable Discussion Topics kept us talking about things like Charge Backs and Other Card Fees, Enhancing the Guest Experience, Fair RV and Campground Standards, Food Allergies, Forms of Payment, Growing Return Visits, Leftover Food, Move-In/Move-Out, and more. In addition, we had strong showings for our ServSafe Manager Class on Sunday, a Generation Forward Visit to the High Roller on Monday and the Sysco-Las Vegas Warehouse Tour on Wednesday.
Marketplace Membership Promotion: When registering for NICA Marketplace become a new NICA member for $100 ($50 savings)
The discount and savings programs that NICA has negotiated with our premiere partners are just another way we are building relationships throughout this industry in order to bring much needed and REAL benefits to our members. See the latest Benefit Booklet for more details.
Member Benefits
View our full benefits list and see how you can save more than the cost of a membership.
