Announcements
Do you have any announcements that you would like to share with the NICA membership? Contact us today!
Scholarship Applications Are Due June 1st
It’s time to think about scholarships! For YOU, or those of you with children, grandchildren, or employees planning on entering College or Vocational School, the 2026 NICA Foundation Scholarship Application is available online at www.nicainc.org/scholarship or by selecting the button below.
In 2026, the NICA Foundation will award a total of $70,000 in scholarships! With the support of our generous donors, we continue to help students and lifelong learners achieve their educational goals while strengthening the next generation of Industry Leaders. All Scholarship Applications and supporting materials must be received in the NICA Office by June 1st to qualify.
Don't Miss NICA & Entegra's Next Webinar!
Turn everyday purchases into real savings by attending the upcoming Entegra Webinar on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET! Discover how your FREE Entegra Program through the NICA Sysco Marketplace helps you cut costs, unlock new opportunities, and earn quarterly cash‑back rebates.
In this session, you’ll learn how to:
- Take full advantage of your Entegra Program to increase profitability
- Unlock savings opportunities beyond Food and Beverage
- Save more every time you shop with the Entegra Shopping Assistant
- Identify cost-saving opportunities using Entegra PurchasingIQ
- Whether you’re new to the program or want to get more from it, this live webinar will deliver practical tools that you can put to work immediately!
Support the CARE Act & RIDE Act Bills Today
At NICA, we believe that "Together We Can!" and right now, that means standing united to support the workforce that keeps our Industry moving.
NICA Members are small business owners, family operations, and hardworking professionals who bring food, fun, and tradition to communities across the country. When workforce challenges impact one part of our Industry, they impact us all.
Supporting the CARE Act (H.R. 2729) and RIDE Act (S. 1821) is about more than legislation—it’s about protecting livelihoods, honoring commitments to our Fair partners, and ensuring that the next generation can continue the traditions we’ve worked so hard to build.
We encourage every NICA Member to just take a few minutes today to be part of the solution. Share this message with your network, fellow vendors, and industry partners. The more letters submitted, the stronger our impact.
Take Action in Just a Few Steps:
- Download the CARE Act support letter template
- Download the RIDE Act support letter template
- Place it on your company letterhead
- Personalize it and add your Representative’s/Senator's information
- Sign the letter
- Send it directly to your U.S. Representative/Senator
NICA Marketplace Early Bird & Trade Show Registration Now Available
Save the date for the upcoming 5th Annual NICA Marketplace "Together!" event, taking place November 8-11, 2026 at the Tuscany Suites and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. In 48 hours you will network with colleagues, discuss practical solutions, enjoy storytelling, and return enriched. We are excited to announce that $149 Early Bird Member Registration is now available!
Who:
YOU, Business Owners/Managers, Fair Industry Leaders, and Trade Show Exhibitors. Interested in becoming a Trade Show Exhibitor? Access the Exhibitor Portal and Register Today!*
What:
NICA Marketplace will feature a non-exclusive Trade Show, Educational Sessions led by hands-on Fair Industry Thought Leaders, and Networking Opportunities that are welcome and comfortable. A place where we all understand we are customers of each other and "Together" we share a Fair Guest to serve.
When:
Sunday, November 8, 2026 through Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
Where:
Tuscany Suites and Casino, 255 E. Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89169. $129 Room Rate Sunday, November 8th and $85 Room Rate Monday, November 9th through Thursday, November 12th, with no resort fee ($51 waived), suite-sized rooms with kitchenettes, free Wi-Fi, and Free Parking! Hotel is located six blocks off the strip on Flamingo Road (directly behind Horseshoe and Paris) and six minutes from the airport. Reserve your room today!
Why:
- This is YOUR convention: programming content is focused on Industry relationships using effective communication, benefits, education, leadership, and solutions.
- Share what is working in our Fair Community.
- Place Manufacturers and Suppliers in front of Business Owners and Managers.
- Showcase Commercial Exhibitors.
- Streamline Practices and Procedures together.
- Share Tips and Trends.
- Connect with your Fair Friends and Family.
- The Price is Right—our rates are even the same as last year!
How:
- Register at the Early Bird Member rate (by September 15th) for $149
- Become a Trade Show Exhibitor at NICA Marketplace for $1,195
- Reserve your Hotel Room at the Tuscany Suites and Casino
*Note: All Trade Show Exhibitor Registrations are subject to Board approval.
Register & Make Your Reservations for 2026
Join us February 9-11, 2026 at the Sheraton Tampa Brandon Hotel, located at 10221 Princess Palm Ave. Tampa, FL, for the 2026 NICA Business Expo and Fare Foods Food Show, where we will be "Making Connections!"
The NICA Business Expo will provide Educational Sessions, Workshops, and Discussion Groups that cover important topics and solutions to the challenges our Industry is faced with every day. The Fare Foods Food Show will feature both new and returning exhibitors showcasing the latest food trends and technology that will define and kickstart the 2026 Fair Season. We also invite you to attend the Annual General Membership Meeting, where we will hold our Year in Review, install the 2026 Board of Directors, hold the Coca-Cola Membership Contest, and hear from Benefit Partners. Afterwards, during the Annual Gala Celebration, we will highlight the NICA Foundation, honor a new Hall of Fame Recipient, and enjoy a delicious buffet courtesy of Fare Foods.
Registration is now open to all attendees! Stay tuned to NICA and Fare Foods communications for important announcements and programming information, coming soon.
Due to an overwhelming response, the Hotel Room Block is sold out for Monday & Tuesday (February 9th & 10th). Feel free to complete the Hotel Information Form and send it to apoole@farefoods.com to be on the wait list. You will be contacted in the order received as rooms become available.
NICA Director Election Results Announced
Thank you to all those who voted in this year's election! All qualifying votes were received by the December 15th deadline, and the results are official.
The Director Elects are: Bary Bunts, CCE, The Apple Cart; Ryan Collmer, Meatball Factory; and Vincent Nelson, CCE, Vinnie’s Fine Foods. Each newly elected Board Member will start their term beginning in February 2025. We are grateful for all Voting Members and Board Candidates for their participation in this year’s election. "Together We Can!" Read more about them on our Director Elections website and in the December Issue of NICA News.
2025 NICA Foundation Scholarship Recipients Have Been Selected
The NICA Foundation is pleased to announce the selection of the 2025 NICA Scholarship Recipients. After a thorough, confidential, and anonymous review of the many applications received, the NICA Foundation is proud to award 33 Scholarships (up from 31), for a total of $64,000 (an increase of $12,000), to our commendable recipients this year. No recipient received less than $1,000!
After speaking with the Scholarship Recipients this past week, Audrey Poole, NICA Foundation President, said, “No one knows the full impact that these scholarships have on our Industry's young people! I just love those stories! If you haven't donated to the Scholarship Program yet, I encourage you to please consider becoming a donor. The impact you can have in the lives of these students is more than you imagine!”
Congratulations to our 33 Recipients:
25th Anniversary Scholarship – Ashton Giordano
Marcus Family Scholarship – Lillie Brander
Coca-Cola CCE Scholarship – James MacPherson
Regional Councils' Scholarship – Taylor Coffman
Leadership Scholarship – Eva Tutak
Chuck Dugan's Chuckwagon Scholarship – Trevor Molnar
Berk Brands Visionary Scholarship – Carmela Palmieri
Evelyn Deggeller Visionary Scholarship – Emma Rhoden
Fare Foods Visionary Scholarship – Kane Clendenen
Linda Frisco Memorial Visionary Scholarship – Matilda Tan
Jessica Gottsche Memorial Visionary Scholarship – Will Miller
Tom Hodson, CCE Memorial Visionary Scholarship – Louis DeMedici
Alys Huffman Memorial Visionary Scholarship – Cynthia Espinoza
Hummel Group Visionary Scholarship – Ashton Coffman
Masonic Band of Brothers Visionary Scholarship – Katie Schulz
McConnell Family Visionary Scholarship – Nadia Hoffman
Mellowship Entertainment Visionary Scholarship – Lilly Underberg
Tom Moore Memorial Visionary Scholarship – Gianna Palmieri
Pittroff & Barona Family Visionary Scholarship – Yasameen Afshar
Norma Jean & Edgar Sivori Visionary Scholarship – Kalista Kastl
Spaghetti Eddie Family Visionary Scholarship – Ella Brick
O'Brien Vocational Scholarships – Kale Baker and Tobias Bellrichard
Entrepreneurial Scholarships – Skylar Bilderback, Devin Coffman, Adeline Garzanelli, Tate Hinkemeyer, Johanna Kunz, Emelia Lynn, Jackson McCuin, Jillian Monahan, Maelee Pilant, and Ella Underberg
Thank You to Our 2025 Scholarship Donors:
- Reilly Berk, Berk Brands
- Coca-Cola
- Todd Desgranges, Stuart Confections
- Nathan Marcus, West Coast Weenies
- James and Larry McConnell, CCE, McConnell Concessions
- Laura and Ron Porter, Fare Foods
- Phil Teague, Hummel Group
- John Juliano, CFE, Mellowship Entertainment
- Rey O’Day, NICA Executive Director
- The Pittroff and Barona Family, Giant Ride and The Original Australian Battered Potatoes
- Audrey Poole, NICA Foundation President
- Eddie Porcelli, Spaghetti Eddie
- Larry Sivori, Sivori Catering
- The Ben Franklin Club
- "A Band of Brothers," including Pat Armstrong, Cornbelt Concessions; Ray Bianco, Bianco’s Foods; Richie George, CCE, George’s Fun Foods; Rusty Groscurth, Super Dog; Tom Hodson, CCE, The Thomas Hodson Company; Butch Ivory, CCE, Famous Gabby’s; Michael and Shawn Miller, Miller Foods; Ronnie Netterfield, Netterfields Popcorn and Lemonade; Ron Smith, RE Smith; and Larry Wynn, East Coast Concessions.
The additional fundraising efforts of the NICA Foundation Board of Trustees, NICA Past Presidents and Board of Directors, the NICA Regional Councils, and the NICA Membership help to ensure this program truly makes a difference for our recipients. Thanks to you, our future is "Shining Bright!"
Applications for the 2026 Scholarship Program will be available in early Spring 2026.
Join the Conversation with NICA Live!
We have launched our brand new Facebook Group, NICA Live! and want to invite you to join us. NICA Live! is a public group for our members and for supporters of the industry to share their voices and be heard.
Are you looking for extra help for an event? Have a question about equipment? Looking at a new event to add to your route? Ask our group members for advice, and start a conversation! You can join the Group by searching NICA Live! on Facebook or by selecting the link below: