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The Thomas Carnival supports state, regional and national industry associations. The Outdoor Amusement Business Association is the carnival industry's national trade group. Thomas Carnival's Bernard Thomas, along with a dozen other carnival owners, founded the association in 1965. Thomas served as OABA president in 1975--Tom Atkins was president in 1992. In 2001, Bernard Thomas was inducted into the Outdoor Amusement Business Hall of Fame. John Hanschen is 2007 Chairman of the OABA, which is based in Orlando, Florida. The Showmen's League of America is the carnival workers' fraternal organization. Founded in 1913, the Showmen's League's first president was Buffalo Bill Cody. Thomas Carnival boasts three past League presidents: Bernard Thomas in 1977; Tom Atkins, 1987; and John Hanschen in 1999. Bernard Thomas is past president of the Midwest Showmen's Association. Tom Atkins served a term as leader of the St. Louis Chapter of the Showmen's League, and John Hanschen was 1993 president of the Hot Springs Showmen's Association. Atkins has sat on the board of directors of the Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs and the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions. The company also backs the Texas Association of Fairs and Events, Arkansas Fair Manager's Association, Louisiana Association Fairs and Festivals, North and South Dakota Association of Fairs, and the Minnesota Federation of Fairs. |