The First Impression Program

New 2024 Brochure – CLICK HERE

What is the first impression your visitors have of your fair?  

Is it great or could it use some tweaking?
Is there great signage showing them how to find your fair and attractions within the fair?
Do you have interesting entertainment and is there something for everyone?
Does your venue promote agriculture and Rural Ontario?
Is your venue accessible and hazard free?
Are there lots of food choices and do you have ample parking?

FIRST IMPRESSIONS VIDEO Click here

If you are interested in knowing what your fair’s ‘first impression’ is, then you should consider participating in the “OAAS First Impressions ” program. This unique program offers the opportunity to look at your fair through others’ eyes. It is a tremendous chance to identify opportunities to make improvements that make a difference in your guests’ experience of your fair.

  • We all know that first impressions are the ones that last and become memories. Help your fair create lasting, great first impressions by participating in this unique program.
  • Agricultural Societies are paired with another fair.  A team from each Agricultural Society visits the other’s fair and evaluates specific characteristics based on a visitors’ “first impression”.
  • The feedback from these visits validates that the Agricultural Societies are doing a terrific job and identifies areas for improvement.
  • It identifies areas where you might grow your fair.
  • This program builds strong relationships among fairs and fair boards and gives concrete information to support strategic planning.
  • Participants have found it to be a great experience and it gave their fairs some really good tools to grow with.

Because OAAS believes in the value of the “First Impressions” program and wishes to encourage more participation by fairs that may not be able to afford the program, once your Agricultural Society has completed all parts of the program, your fees will be refunded to your association.

 There are some costs associated with the participation:

  • Participation fee of $226.00 (200 + HST). which 50% will be refunded upon completion of program requirements.
  • All Agricultural Societies are provided with three (3) OAAS Passports which allow two (2) people into the gates of fairs. It is recommended that these be used for the visiting teams. If additional fair gate passes are required, the host Agricultural Society provides them to the visiting team.
  • Each Agricultural Society is responsible for their own travel costs, photocopying and/or printing, and incidentals of volunteers.

Next Steps:

  1. Fill out and submit your application – download the application form here  Note: this is a fillable form please complete the information and then save it (i.e. Vince’s Fair first-impressions application 2024) on your computer, then attach and email to firstimpressions@oaasfairs.com Application deadline for the 2024 First Impressions Program is May 15th.
  2. You will be contacted by one of our volunteer coordinators if your agricultural society has been selected to participate and a matching society has been found. Then a team will guide you through the rest of the program
  3. For more information contact firstimpressions@oaasfairs.com 
  4. Presentations must be completed by November 1st, 2024 for reimbursement of your Participation fee.