Backed by more than 30 years of experience in the fairs and events industry, Fair Advantage CEO Rick Frenette is responsible for all aspects of the firm's operations.
With roots that run deep in the fair industry, he's experienced a lot since his first job in the early-1960s deep-frying Pronto Pups at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair in Chippewa Falls. After twenty years serving that beloved community fair, he moved across the river to become the finance director at the Minnesota State Fair in 1986. From there he achieved his dream of managing a State Fair, becoming the executive director of the Ohio State Fair in 1993 and serving for more than a decade. After creating financial stability and growing attendance numbers at the fair in Ohio, Rick joined the Utah State Fair as executive director in 2004. Ultimately, revenues doubled and attendance increased by more than 50% during his tenure. He returned home to Wisconsin in 2010 to lead the Wisconsin State Fair for six plus years, rallying the staff team, turning finances around significantly and increasing attendance 25% to over one million guests
He holds a Masters of Business Administration Degree in Finance from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN and a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of WI - Eau Claire. Rick received his Certified Fair Executive designation in 1988, served as IAFE Chair in 2008 and was President of the Midwest Association of Fairs in 2005.
It's safe to say that Rick has seen a little bit of everything, which ultimately motivated him to create Fair Advantage, a cross-functional firm that can help you meet your fair or event's challenges head-on, providing solutions that work.