IAFE

⏰ 10 DAYS LEFT TO SAVE!

Early Bird pricing for the 2026 IAFE Convention & Trade Show ends October 1!

Planning to join us in Louisville? Register now to lock in the best rate before pricing goes up.

✈️ Make your travel plans: Special flight discounts are available for IAFE Convention attendees.

🏨 Book your hotel: Connections Housing is the only official housing vendor for the 2026 IAFE Convention. Be sure to book through the official IAFE hotel block to access Convention hotels and avoid unauthorized housing providers.

📍 Louisville, Kentucky
📅 November 29–December 3, 2026

Start planning your Convention experience! https://fairsandexpos.com/2026convention/

⏰ THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!

There are just 12 days left to enter the 2026 IAFE Contests! 🏆

Showcase the creativity, innovation, and excellence happening at your fair in one or more of this year’s categories:

🌾 Agriculture
🛍️ Commercial Exhibits & Concessions
🎨 Competitive Exhibits
📣 Hall of Honor Communications
💡 Innovation in Sponsorship
🎟️ Non-Fair Facility Usage

📅 Deadline: September 30

Don’t miss your chance to put your fair’s accomplishments in the spotlight!

Enter today: https://fairsandexpos.com/iafe-contest-home/

🎩 Put on Your Derby Best & Join Us!

Wagons & Whiskey is bringing a little Kentucky magic to IAFE Convention week! Join the IAFE Education Foundation for an unforgettable evening of whiskey, entertainment, auctions, and fundraising fun at the Kentucky Derby Museum.

🥃 Kentucky-inspired food & whiskey
🎲 Heads or Tails with IAFE Young Professionals
🏇 Live & Silent Auctions packed with incredible experiences
🙌 Paddle Raise supporting the future of fair management

ATTIRE: Kentucky Derby meets Western Black Tie — think boots, bow ties, bold hats, and a touch of Bluegrass flair.

🎟️ GET YOUR TICKETS: https://www.iafefoundation.org/wagonsandwhiskey

📍 IAFE Has a New Home!

The IAFE main office has officially moved to a new location!

Please update your records with our new mailing address:

International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE)
4650 S National Ave, Suite D1
Springfield, MO 65810

While our address has changed, our commitment to serving the fair industry remains the same. We look forward to continuing to serve our members from our new home!

🚨Holiday Closure Notice🚨

📆Upcoming Events:
September 7
IAFE Office Closed

September 14 | 11:00 am Central
Public & Media Relations (IFM #220)
https://fairsandexpos.com/all-events/?event=26664

September 14 | 3:30 pm Central
Convention Workshop Preview: AI Vibe-a-Thon
https://fairsandexpos.com/workshop-previews/

September 21 | 3:30 pm Central
Convention Workshop Preview: How Healthy Are We? Board Self-Assessment
https://fairsandexpos.com/workshop-previews/

September 24 | 3:00 pm Central
Mastering IAFE Contests: Tips, Strategies & Navigating the New Contest Platform Session 3
https://fairsandexpos.com/all-events/?event=26672

September 28 | 3:30 pm Central
Convention Workshop Preview: The Snowball Effect - How Strategic Infrastructure Investment Created Explosive Growth at a Volunteer-Run Fairgrounds
https://fairsandexpos.com/workshop-previews/

September 28 | 3:45 pm Central
Convention Workshop Preview: Beyond the Banner: Partnering for the Future
https://fairsandexpos.com/workshop-previews/

September 30 | 1:00 pm Central
Young Professionals Vibe Check
https://fairsandexpos.com/all-events/?event=26675

September 30
IAFE Contests Submission Deadline
https://fairsandexpos.com/iafe-contest-home/

⏰Reminders:
Early Bird Registration for the 2026 IAFE Convention & Trade Show ends October 1. Register now to lock in the best rate!
https://fairsandexpos.com/2026convention/

Ready to learn, grow, and bring new ideas back to your fair? 🎡

The 2026 IAFE Convention & Trade Show offers education for every fair professional, from Institute of Fair Management (IFM) courses to sessions on marketing, sponsorship, leadership, agriculture, operations, safety, technology, and more.

The 2026 Convention Program is available and continues to be updated, so be sure to check back as new sessions and details are added.

Explore the Program & Start Planning Your Experience

📍 Louisville, Kentucky
📅 November 29–December 3, 2026

👉 https://fairsandexpos.com/2026convention/

Take the Survey of Rural Challenges today!

What is the Survey of Rural Challenges?
The survey is a project of SaveYour.Town and SmallBizSurvival.com, and it is open for responses every other year. People participate mostly from across the US, Canada, and other countries, including Australia, the UK, and New Zealand. Since 2015, over 2200 people have answered the survey.

Rural experts Becky McCray and Deb Brown analyze the results and share them on both websites as public reports, infographics, presentations, and articles.

⏰ Don’t Miss Your Chance to Enter the 2026 IAFE Contests!

Showcase the creativity, innovation, and excellence happening at your fair by entering one or more of this year’s contest categories:

🌾 Agriculture
🛍️ Commercial Exhibits & Concessions Awards
🎨 Competitive Exhibits
📣 Hall of Honor Communications
💡 Innovation in Sponsorship Awards
🎟️ Non-Fair Facility Usage

📅 Deadline: September 30

Gather your entries and submit today: https://fairsandexpos.com/iafe-contest-home