Association of Iowa Fairs Holds Conference in Des Moines

The Association of Iowa Fairs (AIF) hosted a near record turnout despite typical winter weather during their 2007 conference and annual meeting held Dec. 7-9 at the Holiday Inn Airport in Des Moines.  Nearly 1,400 registrants represented 107 Iowa fairs and over 150 associate members at the convention, according to AIF Executive Director Thomas Barnes.

After the opening business meeting on Friday, an IAFE Workshop was held by Dave Taylor, Western Fair, London, Ontario, who presented “Is It Time to Re-Package, Re-Market, and Rejuvenate Your Fair?” According to Barnes, Taylor’s presentation was very well received and a highlight of the conference.

Following the IAFE Workshop, two seminars were held.  Chuck and Chip Overton of Keffer Overton Architects presented “Building to Meet Your Fair’s Needs,” and a panel of AIF directors held a presentation titled “New Faces in New Places and Tossed Salad.” An awards banquet was held on Friday to recognize special individuals in the Iowa fair community.  The Fairman of the Year award was presented to Roger Ahrenholtz of the Shelby County Fair, Harlan. The Leo Overland Memorial Showman of the Year award was presented to J&M Displays and Flashing Thunder Fireworks.  The AIF and Staats Custom Awards, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, sponsored two $1,000 college scholarships that were awarded to Danielle Holmes of Lu Verne and Joe Catanzareti of Mount Ayer.  The 2007 AIF Hall of Fame inductees were Fed and Ila Mae Fenchel of Fred T. Fenchel Entertainment Agency, Mason City, and Richard Frye (posthumously) of Independence for his efforts with the Buchanan County Fair.  Six fairs were received the Blue Ribbon Fair award.  The fairs are the O’Brien County Fair, Primghar; Wright County Fair, Eagle Grove; Linn County Fair, Central City; Taylor County Fair, Bedford; Marion County Fair, Knoxville; and Iowa County Fair, Marengo.

Many seminars and workshops were held on Saturday. The presentations included “Getting More Youth Involved in Your Fair,” “2008 Fair Ideas,” and “Reaching Your ‘Echo Boomers.’”  That evening a social dinner and auction featured 140 donated items.  The event raised over $21,700 for the association in its efforts to secure legislation that benefits the fair industry.

The association announced new members to its board. The new officers are President Don Cain of Delmar, First Vice President Dave Hoffman of Le Mars, Second Vice President Alan Brown of Hampton, and Past President Erlene Leonard of Colfax.  Other board members include Lynn Dunn of Marion, John Straight of Logan, Curtis Sebolt of Cincinnati, and Richard Smith of West Liberty.  Tom and Sue Barnes will continue to serve as executive director and executive secretary/treasurer, respectively.

The 2008 Association of Iowa Fairs Conference and Annual Meeting will be held Dec. 5-7 in Des Moines.