McCary to build synergy between OABA, Eastern States Exposition

Date: 4/28/2009

By Ashlene Ferris

Staff Intern



WEST SPRINGFIELD -- Newly elected chair of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA) Wayne McCary, president of Eastern States Exposition, plans to build a synergy between the two industries to yield a prosperous relationship during his one-year appointment.

"It's really always been a marriage [between the OABA and The Big E]," McCary said during an interview with Reminder Publications, adding that he believes the future viability of both organizations depends on uniting the two.

"Now there's an effort to make [the marriage] a good one and for me it's a unique position to have the opportunity to work with both sides [of the industry]," he said.

McCary was the first fair manager to be elected a director of the OABA in 2000 and the first fair manager to serve as its chairman. He said being elected chairman of the OABA does not mean changes for Eastern States Exposition.

"This is a voluntary position," McCary said. "Eastern States is impacted by whatever happens nationally and the OABA plays a significant role at the legislative level in terms of being an advocate in our industry."

McCary is known as an agent for change in the fair and amusement industry. He served as president of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) in 1997 and was named to the IAFE Hall of Fame in 2001.

Bob Johnson, president and CEO of the OABA, said the association is grateful to have him as their chair.

"McCary is well qualified with great credentials," he said. "He worked on a carnival as a young man, and is also an accomplished circus producer. He's a great leader in our industry."

The OABA has served the mobile amusement industry and its members since 1965. Over 10,000 predominately family-owned businesses are represented by the OABA that serve American and Canadian fairs and festivals as well as community, civic, religious and philanthropic events.

The OABA has encouraged the growth and preservation of mostly family-owned businesses, many in their third or fourth generations of ownership. The members also receive educational programs, regulatory advocacy and communications programs.