Home > About the IAFE

About the IAFE

History of Fairs | Board of Directors | Contact Us | Sponsorship | FAQs

The International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) is a voluntary, non-profit corporation, serving state, provincial, regional, and county agricultural fairs, shows, exhibitions, and expositions. Its associate members include state and provincial associations of fairs, non-agricultural expositions and festivals, associations, corporations, and individuals engaged in providing products and services to its members, all of whom are interested in the improvement of fairs, shows, expositions, and allied fields.

The IAFE began in 1885 with a half dozen fairs. Today, the IAFE represents more than 1,300 fairs around the world, and more than 1,300 members from allied fields. Throughout the years, the IAFE has remained true to its purpose of promoting and encouraging the development and improvement of agricultural fairs, shows, and expositions.

The IAFE is governed by a board of directors that consists of 19 elected members and the president and CEO selected by the board as an ex-officio director. The directors include a chair, two immediate past chairs, two vice chairs, a treasurer, a representative of the Federation of State and Provincial Associations of Fairs, a representative of the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, a representative of the National Association of Fairs and Festivals of Mexico, eight directors elected from and representing each of the eight zones in the United States and Canada, and two directors at large from associate members.