Developing leaders through friendship, networking, and communication skills!
by Josie Phillips
November is the month to give thanks. During almost every grand drive speech, the judge encourages exhibitors to thank those who helped get them to the show. They tell us to thank our parents, our advisors, leaders, crew members, and mentors. I certainly try to do that, and I hope that all of you do as well. Sometimes we forget to give thanks to the folks behind the scenes who are providing all of us the opportunity to exhibit our cattle. One of my favorite weeks of the year is the National Classic, and I can’t begin to imagine how much time and effort goes into planning and organizing a show of that magnitude. So, I thought it would be fun to get the inside scoop on how hard the ASA staff works to pull off such a phenomenal show. I asked Mia Bayer, Director of Youth Programs and Foundation Manager, and Chance Ujazdowski, Progress Through Performance Coordinator, about their roles.
How long have you worked for the ASA?
Explain what your job entails.
Mia: I have worked for the ASA for four years. I oversee anything youth, show, or Foundation related. This includes planning and executing the National Classic along with Chance and other staff, working with host states to plan regional shows, advising the AJSA Board of Trustees, planning the Summit Leadership Conference, being the staff lead for the Activities and Events committee, attending and working all PTP shows, and more meetings than I can count. On the Foundation side of things, I work with the Foundation board to organize meetings, plan fundraisers, and attend fundraising events.
Chance: I have worked with ASA in some capacity since October 2011. I currently have a part-time position, and my primary responsibilities are coordinating the National PTP Shows and the AJSA Classic contests. This includes creating show programs, scoring contests, writing quizzes, researching public speaking topics, coordinating contest judges, handling results and Ring of Champions scoring, updating premium books and policy documents, and a whole lot more.
What is your favorite part of the AJSA National Classic?
Mia: The week is incredibly stressful, but I can honestly say there is nothing like the feeling I get from watching everyone parade in during opening ceremonies. The energy is contagious. Everyone is so excited for the week, and it gives me some much-needed energy to make it through the busiest week of the year.
Chance: Without question, the people are my favorite part of everything AJSA-related. Our industry is built upon relationships, and our organization provides opportunities to meet leaders, mentors, competitors, and friends at every event.
Can you estimate how many people are involved in planning and implementing our National Classic?
Mia: I think this has changed over the past couple of years as far as planning. Most of the planning is done with a smaller group, but the implementation is a different story. Multiple ASA staff, show interns, and lots of wonderful volunteers make it happen.
Chance: Short answer: I’d estimate around 200 people. Long answer: It depends how you look at it. The bulk of the behind-thescenes planning has been handled by three people: Mia, Emma, and myself. But the week definitely wouldn’t be possible without the AJSA Board, other ASA staff, our AJSA interns, trustee candidates, state association volunteers, ASA board members, and many others. (There were over 120 contest judges alone!)
When do you start planning the following year’s event?
Mia: For me it never really ends. Facility and hotel contracts are worked on year-round. I have a lot of meetings to plan not just for next year’s event, but working on many years in the future as well. My goal is to have locations planned five years in advance, but that is very difficult to do. There are only a few venues that can hold the National Classic, and several other breeds need to use those locations as well. Currently we have scheduled Grand Island in 2026 and Louisville in 2027. I am working on 2028 and 2029.
Chance: Planning really is a year-round process. As soon as one year ends, we start discussing how to make improvements for next summer. The heavy lifting starts as soon as the National PTP Show season ends.
On average, how many hours do you work each day at the National Classic?
Mia: Hardest question yet, but I’ll use a day from Madison last summer as an example. I leave the hotel at 5:45am and get back to the hotel around 10pm, and sometimes I still need to eat supper. The days are long, and the nights are short, but you are also mentally prepared for it. It comes with the job!
Chance: From day one to the end, I average 16–17 hours per day. People always ask if I had fun at the National Classic, and I jokingly respond, “When did I have time for that?”
How do you determine the “success” of our National Classic?
Mia: I always say if it looks like it went smoothly from the outside then it was a success. Meaning, there are times when behind the scenes it gets so hectic or we have a major issue, but it is our job to keep things going as smoothly as possible and make sure the juniors and their families are having a great week.
Chance: When the week is over, I ask myself two things: Did we provide our members and their families with an opportunity to meet their goals? And, in general, did people have a positive experience? If the answer to both is yes, the event was a success.
This past theme, Oh What Fun, was certainly fun. How do you come up with the theme each year?
Mia: Honestly, coming up with a theme is really hard. You want to be original, but it’s tough coming up with something new that will appeal to our junior members and be easy to work with. There is a lot of brainstorming between me, Chance, and Emma and we ask others for input of ideas.
Chance: ASA has only decided the theme for the past two years, and there isn’t really a formal process. Mia, Emma, and I exchange ideas throughout the year. When we find a concept that we all like, we ask for input from a few people we trust and hopefully lock it in.
How long does it take to write each quiz? Do you have to do a lot of research when writing them?
Chance: Throughout the year, I bookmark new resources and record voice notes with new ideas. I set a goal each spring to write a specific number of new questions and research until I meet or exceed that goal, while also researching Public Speaking topics. The next step is compiling quizzes, using both old and new materials. Because I typically write multiple quizzes at once, it’s difficult to say how long each one takes. Including state association events and AJSA Classics, I write around 30 quizzes each year.
What do you think sets the Simmental breed apart from other youth beef cattle organizations?
Mia: The AJSA has a reputation for producing young adults that will go out and make a difference in the industry. I think a lot of that comes from the dedication so many young members have to succeed not only in the show ring, but also in all of the educational contests we offer. No other breed gets to ring the bell!
Chance: My first answer is no surprise: The growth and development that our contests create for all our exhibitors is something no other breed provides. I also don’t think you can answer this question without recognizing the quality of our Bred and Owned Show. I think it’s the best in the business.
You just finished a long week at the National Classic — what is the first thing you do at home to relax?
Mia: A cup of coffee on my porch and just quiet, with no questions from anyone. Mentally I just need a break.
Chance: I’m sure it would be more interesting to say that I go look at my calves in the pasture, but I sleep. That’s it.
It’s evident the Simmental breed has some of the best staff in the business! After a long hard day, a simple “THANK YOU” means a lot so I encourage everyone to join me in thanking Mia, Chance, and all the other ASA staff members for investing in us and making our breed one of the fastest-growing in the industry. We truly have the best staff and the best national junior show. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and I look forward to seeing you all next summer in Grand Island! .
