General Info

Today, those showmen who attended that historic meeting are referred to as the "founding fathers." Many recall that their industry colleagues said it couldn't be done. In an industry known for its keen competition, the naysayers asserted, you'll never get showmen to agree on anything, let alone cooperate for the benefit of the whole. They have been proven wrong. For over 45 years the Outdoor Amusement Business Association has been helping to keep the show on the road. Problems affecting the industry were surfacing in Philadelphia and John Vivona ( Amusements of America ) placed a call to make a luncheon date with E. James Strates ( James E. Strates Shows ). They discussed the concept of forming a trade association to deal with some of the problems which were larger than those normally dealt with by one carnival company. Strates agreed to contact a list of interested showmen and the Vivonas contacted others. That November in Chicago, during the showmen's convention, the group met in the Vivona suite and organizational efforts began in earnest. The need wasn't just to act against union organization attempts. Problems such as federal minimum wage and hour laws and interstate commerce regulations also threatened the industry. There was a pressing need from the industry to reach with a united front. Lloyd Hilligoss, of the former Foley and Burke Shows, remembered being in Chicago for the IAFE meeting. "I was a young kid in '65, " he recalled with a laugh. I was in the lobby of the Sherman House and Bill Collins ( W.T. Collins Shows ) came up and said, Hey, kid, give me $100. Well, you didn't argue with him. And he said, Well, I'm going to let you join our new trade association'.