Build relationships that make your job easier and your event services or products the best. A variety of professional improvement and networking opportunities will connect you to fair professionals and volunteers, including an annual management conference, special seminars, zone conferences, and state or provincial meetings.

The Annual Convention and Trade Show, held in Las Vegas, is the largest event serving fairs, shows, exhibitions, and expositions. Convention attendees network and learn from each other and top professionals during the intensive four days of workshops, special seminars, round table discussions, and social events.

The Trade Show allows companies to showcase themselves while serving as a one-stop shop for all your event’s booking, product, and service needs. Associate members receive a $100 credit toward the purchase of exhibit space at the annual Trade Show.

In a world where life is fair, going to the library is fun. The IAFE Library provides you with the information and research tools you need to succeed. Donations from members, colleges and universities, and materials developed by the IAFE staff cover topics such as contracts, employee handbooks, job descriptions, media packets, agriculture education ideas, policy and operations manuals, and surveys. Library materials can be searched using a simple keyword search or more advanced phrases and categorical searching. Then items can be downloaded or requested from the IAFE Education Department.

Exhibit & Advertising Materials

Boost your fair's marketing program for less cost with IAFE's Advertising Packet, complement your children's activities with the IAFE's most popular product the "Color the Fair" coloring books, add something special to your children's agriculture education programs with our Activity Displays, and promote literacy and increase participation in your fair with the Read & Win program.

Published six times a year, Fairs & Expos magazine is the source for information about trends, innovative ideas, and association activities. The magazine is designed to assist you in sharing your successes and learning from the experiences of others. You are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to showcase your achievements in Fairs & Expos. One idea from this magazine or the Members Only section of the web site will more than pay for your membership.

You will receive a complimentary copy of the Annual Directory with lists of dates, attendance, and much more about each fair member. In addition, it is the handy reference that puts associate members, their products, services, and business activities in front of all members year round.

The www.fairsandexpos.com web site offers members all IAFE services and the latest happenings. It also connects the public through the "Find a Fair" link and the "Link to Our Members" section. More benefits of the site:

• Learn more about the IAFE
• Utilize IAFE products and services
• Register and find information about IAFE meetings
• Find information about IAFE’s contests and certification
• Visit our State and Provincial Associations to find events in your state or province
• View current fair job listings
• Participate in bulletin board discussions
• Link to IAFE fair and associate members' web sites (including submitting your own site for publication
• Discover current legislative resources
• Maintain and update your IAFE membership
• Find the latest fair industry news
• Evaluate sponsorship and advertising opportunities to promote your business
• Read past and present Fairs & Expos articles

IAFE's annual contests for fair, show, exhibition, and exposition members recognize and reward excellence. All contests are judged by IAFE member representatives and professionals from respective fields. The Agricultural Awards Program has three main goals:

• to improve the agricultural education of fairs
• to help fairs improve service to both fair exhibitors and the fairgoing public
• to recognize fairs that provide outstanding agricultural education

The Competitive Exhibits Contest recognizes excellence in competitive exhibit display methods and supplements the IAFE resource library by increasing the amount of helpful information available for you. The Communications Awards Program recognizes the outstanding advertising/promotional campaigns and is an absolute treasure-trove of ideas.

You will enjoy special discounts from Hertz Rent-A-Car, Choice Brand Hotels, as well as one $5,000 AD&D insurance policy.


Take advantage of IAFE discounts from Hertz. For more information, including savings information and a discount card, please click here.


International Association of Fairs and Expositions' members are able to take advantage of a 15% discount at over 5,800 participating Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion®, MainStay Suites®, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel®, Econo Lodge® and Rodeway Inn® brands and Ascend Collection® properties worldwide! Make reservations conveniently by booking online at www.choicehotels.com/IAFE or by calling 800-258-2847.

Now save even more! Sign up for the Choice Privileges® rewards program today to start earning points towards free nights, flights or more in addition to your 15% discount! It's fast, free and easy to join. Earn points at participating hotels. Go to www.choiceprivileges.com/signup/IAFAIRS today!

Remember to book in advance. Reference both your IAFE Special Rate ID and your Choice Privileges member # to receive your discount while earning Choice Privileges points! If you have lost your Choice SOS Membership Savings Card and need the special IAFE ID number to obtain your discount, please call the IAFE office at 800-516-0313.

Subscribe to the SOS Sentinel, a complimentary e-newsletter, to get the news about promotions, Choice Hotels International property information, new choicehotels.com features and more! Please make sure to note that you are an IAFE member. Where are you traveling? Choice Hotels is probably there!

The Certified Fair Executive (CFE) Program promotes professional improvement of executives and recognizes those who achieve the rigorous standards of the CFE Program. Certification is bestowed on individuals who have demonstrated their abilities through years of service to their events, communities, and the IAFE.

The Hall of Fame award is presented annually in recognition of an individual's distinguished achievement in, or contribution to, the world of fairs, expositions, shows, and exhibitions.

The Heritage Awards Program was launched in 1994 to honor the work of volunteer fair, show, exhibition, and exposition managers. The nominations are open to individuals who have at least 10 years of fair management experience and receive no more than $2,500 remuneration annually for serving in the position.