Indiana Association of Fairs, Festivals, and Events Holds Annual Meeting

The 88th Annual Indiana Association of Fairs, Festivals, and Events (INAFFE) Convention was held Jan. 4-6, 2008, at the Marriott East in Indianapolis. A total of 1,738 delegates were registered for the event. The trade show hosted 84 booths.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Tom Turpin, an entomologist from Purdue University. IAFE Director of Grants and Special Education Marla Calico presented the latest news from the IAFE.

Forty-five round tables, discussion forums, and breakout sessions were held at the meeting.  Topics included The Internet and Your Event, Developing Future Leaders, Daily Sponsorships, Robert’s Rules of Order, Good Relationships Between Elected Officials and Your Board, and We Have a Dead Horse At The Fair . . . Now What?

A silent auction was held to benefit the Indiana FFA Foundation. Showcase events were held on two evenings and featured 12 acts. The Robinson Family performed during a worship service on Sunday morning.

Several communication awards were presented at the meeting.  The overall winners were Jay County Fair, Portland; Jackson County Fair, Brownstown; and Elkhart County Fair, Goshen. The Hall of Fame winners were Kenneth Craft of Lake County, David K. Holderman of Elkhart County, and Russell Beiersdorfer of Dearborn County.

The 2008 INAFFE officers are President Larry Vandenberg, President-Elect Dr. Jim Weisman, Vice President Tim Zimmerman, and Secretary/Treasurer Margaret D. Boilanger.  Kelly Ropp was elected as district II director and Jerry Zahner was elected as associate director.