Jonathan Durst’s Post

Ever been to the Minnesota State Fair? Today’s the last day, but did you also know it’s the largest state fair in the U.S. by average daily attendance? 135k+ people per day - Pretty wild, right? When I first launched Joycoast, consumer shows were our go-to for getting the word out and connecting with customers. Last year alone, we did over 50 shows! This year, we've scaled back a bit, but the Minnesota State Fair is a must for us. The exposure is incredible, but man, twelve straight 12-hour days can be a grind for the whole team. Some fun facts: * The daily average attendance this year is over 135,000+ people. * 1859 was the first year of the MN State Fair, AKA the “Great Minnesota Get-Together”. * It’s the second-largest state fair in the United States by total attendance, after the State Fair of Texas (which is 24 days, compared to MN’s 12 days). * Around 300 different food vendors, and around 900 other booths. * The cookie vendor can produce upwards of 3 million Cookies per day! * Around 50 tons of glass, plastic and aluminum are collected and recycled during the duration of the fair * Joycoast has exhibited at the MN State Fair 3 times so far :) #sustainability #MNStateFair #smallbusiness #eventprofs Joycoast, Sustainable Gifts

Which statement accurately describes Spokane's hosting of a World's Fair? a) Spokane is the largest city to host a World's Fair. b) Spokane is the second smallest city to host a World's Fair. c) Spokane is the smallest city to host a World's Fair. d) Spokane has never hosted a World's Fair.

If you aren’t from St. Louis, you may not know today is the 120th Anniversary of the opening of the World’s Fair, or officially, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. I wouldn’t say I’m an aficionado of world expos. I can’t tell you exactly where and when another one took place other than I think Chicago had one (but it wasn’t as good as the one in St. Louis). And I was surprised when Wikipedia told me they are still going strong – there’s still time to book your travel for Osaka 2025 or Riyadh 2030. I do know that our World’s Fair took place in Forest Park and that our massive Ferris wheel is likely still buried in there somewhere. John Philip Sousa was the opening act (huge get for 1904). Tens of millions attended over seven months and it made St. Louis a global center of attention. Unable to fully appreciate these historical tidbits, people outside St. Louis question our persistent affinity for the Fair and the pride it still engenders today. I remember someone asking once, “Don’t you have anything more recent to be proud of?” For me, that misses the point. It’s part of our culture. Talking about the Fair is part of our shared civic tradition. We teach our kids about it, and they pass it along. As you grow up, you learn about the Fair’s public safety lapses and its exploitation of indigenous people. However, in some ways, one’s ability to reference the Fair’s failures only cements the authoritative perspective from which you can talk more about the Fair. It enables awkward transitions solely to mention the 1904 Summer Olympics were concurrent with the World’s Fair and presented classic sports like Tug of War and Plunge for Distance. To put the requisite LinkedIn-spin on this, the World’s Fair is part of our St. Louis brand. There is something unique about St. Louis that we have pride in promoting an event you can’t attend and that only has a few physical remnants left to see - the St. Louis Art Museum atop Art Hill and the aviary at the St. Louis Zoo. World’s Fair fascination is innately St. Louis. It’s communal knowledge that we rally around. Sure, we get some facts wrong, but it’s comforting to feel a part of something that preceded you and that will outlive you. So I’m going to go have an iced tea, a hot dog and an ice cream cone. They were invented in St. Louis at the 1904 World’s Fair – at least I like to think they were – someone in St. Louis told me that and I believe him.

Hydac way of cooling … also in the Wind sector !

Are you planning to visit the Canton Fair on May 1st? If so, let's connect! Comment below if you'll be there, and let's schedule a meeting to discuss everything from building block toys to industry insights. Looking forward to connecting with you at the Canton Fair! #CantonFair #BuildingBlockToys #IndustryInsights #NetworkingOpportunity

🚀🎡 According to the Common Sense Institute Iowa, the Iowa State Fair set new records for attendance and economic impact this year. The fair attracted a record-breaking 1,182,682 visitors and generated $172 million for the state’s GDP and $97 million in personal income. Total spending reached $78.1 million, surpassing the economic impact of Taylor Swift’s Denver concerts last summer! Since 2015, fair revenues have nearly doubled with an average annual growth of 10%, while spending per attendee has risen to about $36, even with fluctuating attendance. This year's numbers highlight the fair's significant economic contribution and enduring popularity. #IowaStateFair #EconomicImpact #RecordBreaking #CommunityGrowth

Planning event experiences has always been my jam, but there is NO event quite like the Minnesota State Fair. This document captures it all: the attention to detail, the reality of giant masses of people gathering in one place, and the pure joy when it all goes to plan!

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What can change in 11 years?    As summer fades, the fair season is just around the corner. And as always, it’s taking me back to my very first exhibition in 2013.    The difference is remarkable - not just in how our stand looks, but in how much we all have learned. Today, we know what to expect and the results a successful fair can bring.    It was in Sial 2013 that I met some of the most trusted business partners that we are still working with today.    But back in 2013, I attended it with a mix of excitement and worry. As an introvert, the idea of talking to so many people from around the world for five days straight felt daunting and even a little frightening. Add a language barrier, and the challenge seemed even greater.    Now, 11 years and countless fairs later - whether it's Sial, Anuga, or Expo West - I’ve come to appreciate the chaos, vibrancy, and long days. Instead of dread, I now look forward to reconnecting with familiar faces and building new partnerships.    Sial is just over a month away, and I’m eager to see what it holds for us this year. #FairSeason #CareLabDivas #InternationalBusiness

🔴 Last week, in São Paulo, Brazil, during the important CONARH trade fair, part of a booth collapsed, causing injuries to several people. The situation was serious and concerning. I received a video and photos of the incident showing emergency responders attending to the victims. 💔 My first reaction was to think about the people affected by the collapse of the structure. Then, I considered the delicate situation for the company that contracted the booth, a major Brazilian banking and insurance institution. Finally, I thought about the booth builder, who will likely face license revocation and legal proceedings due to the civil liability involved. ⚠️ Furthermore, I believe that the indiscriminate sharing of the video and photos without regard for the victims is inappropriate and disrespectful. Situations like this require a more thoughtful and sensitive approach. ❗ After the incident, I saw criticisms of the Brazilian booth construction industry on this social media. These criticisms surprised and saddened me. Brazil is known for having top-tier booth construction companies. It is crucial to choose partners carefully. Of course, like in any country, there are less reliable companies and those that make mistakes, although incidents like this are rare. 🔍 We must be fair: every country has companies of varying quality levels. To generalize based on a single event does not do justice to a market as robust as Brazil's, which hosts trade fairs and constructs top-notch booths, generating millions of dollars annually. To ensure this quality and safety, there are associations like IFES - Sharing Knowledge and reputable companies like Diper_exhibitions. Let´s do not generalize and be fair with this important market that is Brazil. #BoothSafety #TradeShowStandards #EventSafety #EventIndustry #ProfessionalismInEvents #AvoidGeneralizations