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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 1,160 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.Â
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.
2025 Scholarship Applications Are Now Available!
With the financial challenges that many of our students and their families are facing right now, the NICA Foundation is honored to award life-changing funds to so many deserving students. Created by NICA to oversee and administer a formal education scholarship program and foster development opportunities and training services, the NICA Foundation will be awarding a total of $50,000 to many deserving Scholarship Recipients in 2025.
The scholarship application for 2025 is now available online at www.nicainc.org/scholarship. Applications must be received in the NICA Office no later than June 1, 2025, to qualify. Start planning the next steps for the next chapter in your life today!
Thank You For Attending the 2025 NICA Business Expo & Fare Foods Food Show
At the 2025 NICA Business Expo and Fare Foods Food Show, we were "Shining Bright!" The week kicked off with an informative Keynote Address on Transition & Succession Planning Essentials, presented by Courtny Hinds, CCE, CFE, Wyoming State Fair. Throughout the NICA Business Expo from Monday through Wednesday, Educational Sessions and Workshops were presented on a variety of subjects by Industry Professionals including Balancing Fees, Commercial Exhibits, DOT, Infrastructure Upgrades, Insurance, Marketing, NICA Benefits, New Food Trends, Profits in the Cup, and Sales Tax.
We were also proud to feature Fire Extinguisher Training and Roundtable Discussions on topics such as Managing Lines, Food Stand Designs, Preventing Theft, Enhancing the Guest Experience, Forms of Payment, and Campground Standards. In addition, the Fare Foods Food Show showcased over 50 Exhibitors who specialized in Food, Insurance, Manufacturing, Supplies, Technology, and more. The event closed with the Annual General Membership Meeting, including the Passing of the Gavel, Board Installation, NICA Year in Review, and Coca-Cola Membership Contest Winners. Our "Shining Bright!" Annual Gala Celebration wrapped up the evening with a Cocktail Reception, Dinner, Industry Speakers, Business in Excellence, NICA Foundation Spotlight, and Hall of Fame.
Congratulations to NICA Hall of Fame Recipient Kathy Ross, CCE, Business in Excellence Recipients John and Bob Uhl, and our many Foodshow Windfall, For Our Future, and Door Prize winners at the event.
Stay tuned to upcoming publications for more coverage! We will be posting more about the event in the coming weeks, as well as an overview in the next issue of NICA News. Do you have any photos to share of the event? Make sure to send them to us by email, post on NICA Live! or tag @NICAInc when you post on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) so we see them!
Announcements
2025 Scholarship Applications Are Due June 1st!
Register & Reserve Your Room for the 2025 Business Expo & Food Show
NICA Director Election Results Announced
Thank You For Attending NICA Marketplace!
2024 NICA Foundation Scholarship Recipients Selected
Join the Conversation with NICA Live!
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.