Committees

IAFE Committees

IAFE programming and activities are largely determined by the work of the committees, which are divided into three categories: administrative, activity and education program.

Time to sign up to serve on an IAFE Committee!

  • Serving on a committee is a fantastic way to network with other members whose interests or specialties align with yours.
  • Serving on a committee is EASY! If you’re attending the Convention, join in the live discussions held on during the meeting. Once the new year begins, the committees will start regular conference calls. Some “meet” via conference call only 2-3 times per year; others meet monthly. Calls are fairly short, generally less than an hour.
  • Committees drive the educational program content for your Association! Each committee presents at least three topics for consideration for the annual convention and these are “put to the vote” in an on-line platform. Last year over 48,000 votes were cast and the result is a Convention program that truly reflects your concerns and interests.
Join an IAFE Committee

Committee Types

EDUCATION PROGRAM COMMITTEES: Anyone associated with an IAFE member (fair, associate, state/provincial association) is invited to volunteer to serve on any committee listed below as “Education Program.” All Education Program Committees are asked to recruit members to submit at least three articles for the Fairs & Expos Magazine and six items for the IAFE Online Library. Each of these committees is also asked to contribute ideas for the Annual Convention programming. In addition, each committee is asked to select members to serve on the Foundation Fund-Raising Committee.

ACTIVITY COMMITTEES: Each activity committee has designated appointees, but others are welcome to volunteer. See each committee for any limitations.

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEES: All members serve as appointed or selected according to specific procedure.

Agriculture – Education Program Committee

Committee Description

  • Advance ideas for members to increase awareness, understanding and best practices in programming of agriculture at scheduled events. The events include the annual convention, CyberSeminars etc.
  • Agricultural Awards Contest — Recommend to staff the rules, categories, and procedures for contest; encourage participation and mentor members in submission procedures, and serves as judges for the agriculture contest entries
  • Responsible, in conjunction with the IAFE Education Foundation, for the Raisin’ For A Reason benefit auction traditionally held at the Convention. 
  • Participate in the “Agriculture on a Grand Scale” discussion.
  • Committee meets monthly, on the second Tuesday, at 2:00pm CST. In addition, the committee meets at the IAFE Annual Convention. Visit www.iafeconvention.com for scheduled meeting time.

Awards – Administrative Committee

Committee Description

  • Review IAFE Hall of Fame applications and select recipient.
  • Review procedures and program rules for all Association awards programs.
  • Appointments to committee are made by the incoming Chair and represent one from each Zone.

Budget & Finance – Administrative Committee

Committee Description

  • Reviews annual budget prepared and proposed by IAFE President and CEO prior to submittal to IAFE Board.
  • Appointments to committee are made by incoming Chair 

Certification – Administrative Committee

Committee Description

  • Certification Programs (CFE and CFVM) – reviews, makes recommendations to board regarding qualifications, criteria, requirements and program policies as well as reviews applications, providing recommendations to Board for approval. Committee chair is responsible for communication with each applicant regarding acceptance or rejection of application.
  • Assists in presentation of accredited candidates.
  • From initial appointment as First Year person, a member serves a total for four years, ending last year of service as Chair of Committee.

Commercial Exhibits & Concessions – Education Program Committee

Committee Description

  • Provide ideas for IAFE members to share information on matters related to commercial exhibits and concessions.
  • May be asked to contribute to Industry Relations Committee projects.

Competitive Exhibits – Education Program Committee

Committee Description

  • Create networking opportunities through committee meetings to share information, ideas, and best practices as it relates to competitive exhibits (non-livestock).
  • Energize committee members to enhance, improve, and make the competitive exhibits at their fairs relative to their community through the sharing of new ideas; inspiring other IAFE Member Fairs to do the same.
  • Establish a creative and supportive panel of competitive exhibit experts to mentor and assist others in growing their programs and/or problem-solving.
  • Craft and propose at least three competitive exhibit-related topic ideas for the annual IAFE Convention program.
  • Review the rules, categories, and procedures for the IAFE Competitive Exhibit Contest; recommending changes to the staff.
  • Encourage participation in the IAFE Competitive Exhibit Contest; participate on the judging committee.

Convention Program – Activity Committee

Committee Description

  • Provide program recommendations for the IAFE Annual Convention, including activities, networking, educational programming (as might be suggested by IAFE Education Program Committees), marketing and promotion.
  • Serve as ambassadors and mentors to welcome first time convention attendees.
  • Assist IAFE Staff with program and activities when on-site at event.

County Fairs – Education Program Committee

Committee Description

  • Provide ideas to the IAFE Board of Directors and Staff on how best to serve the interests and unique needs of small budget fairs.
  • Provide ideas on how to recruit new small budget fairs as members and how to encourage their retention and engagement in the Association.
  • Serve as mentors to new small budget fair members.

Entertainment – Education Program Committee

Committee Description

  • Provide ideas for IAFE members to share information on matters related to entertainment.

Foundation Fundraising Event Committee

Committee Description

  • Join the fun to help plan and execute the IAFE Education Foundation’s annual fund-raising event held during the Convention.
  • Members are asked to secure auction items, donated prizes or other products, coordinate activities during event, and volunteer for set-up.

Future Convention – Vice Chairs

Committee Description

  • Committee made up of current Vice Chairs to begin the planning for the convention when they will be committee chairs.

Human Resources

Committee Description

  • Human Resources professionals and lay staff with interest in HR topics. The Human Resources Committee will (a)make sure HR matters are covered in IAFE education and meeting and (b) act as a support/network group on this highly specialized topic.

Industry Relations – Administrative Committee

Committee Description

  • Works to improve and enhance relations with allied and affiliated industry organizations.
  • Initiates special projects and/or programming as may be appropriate.
  • Recommends educational and/or informational programming for IAFE Convention, Management Conference and/or Specialty Seminars.

Management Conference – Activity Committee

Committee Description

  • Limited to those members eligible to attend this Conference.
  • Provide program recommendations for the Management Conference, including activities, networking, educational programming (as might be suggested by IAFE Education Program Committees), marketing and promotion.
  • Serve as ambassadors and mentors to welcome first time convention attendees.
  • Assist IAFE Staff with program and activities when on-site at event.

Marketing – Education Program Committee

Committee Description

  • Provide ideas for IAFE members to share information and resources related to advertising, promotions and public relations.
  • Hall of Honor Communications Awards Contest — Recommend to staff the rules, categories and procedures for contest; encourage participation and mentor members in submission procedures, and encouraged to serve on judging committee for annual Hall of Honor Communications Awards Contest

Membership – Activity Committee

Committee Description

The Membership Committee is like the “Welcome Wagon” for the IAFE!  This is your chance to engage and connect with new members and let them know all of the amazing things that IAFE does!  We are looking for great volunteers to help with these new member initiatives:

  • Sending “Just checking in” notes throughout the year
  • Offering a “Good luck on your fair!” calls
  • Inviting new members to Thirsty Thursday Happy Hours
  • Invite new members to your Zone meetings, Management Conference or Annual Convention
  • Participate in the “First Friends” receptions or as a greeter at Convention
  • Serve as a mentor to new members to get them excited about IAFE so they stay part of our family for a long time!
  • You can get a chance to meet new members in your zone or throughout the entire IAFE membership.  Take your passion you have for your fair and IAFE and spread it to others!

Nominating – Administrative Committee

Committee Description

  • Recommends a slate of candidates for IAFE Officer positions on Executive Committee (except for President) in accordance with Association’s bylaws.
  • Appointments for representation from each Zone is made by the incoming Chair.

Non-Fair Facility Usage – Education Program Committee

Committee Description

  • Provide ideas for IAFE members to share information on developing, increasing and enhancing facility usage during non-fair time frames.

Safety & Security – Education Program Committee

Committee Description

  • The Safety and Security committee features individuals from the events industry that are responsible for and/or interested in the safety and security of their events.
  • The committee identifies topics, presenters and panelists for discussion, workshops, and presentations at the IAFE Annual Convention, CyberSeminars etc.
  • The committee meets monthly, the fourth Wednesday of the month, at 11:30 am CST.  Meetings include discussion about the latest incidents, provides resources for attendees and identifies the newest technologies. The Safety and Security committee meets during the annual IAFE Convention. For meetings time and location visit www.iafeconvention.com

Sponsorship – Education Program Committee

Committee Description

  • Provide ideas for IAFE members to share information on matters related to sponsorships and their procurement.
  • Innovation in Sponsorship Awards Contest — Recommend to staff the rules, categories and procedures for contest; encourage participation and mentor members in submission procedures, and encouraged to serve on judging committee for awards contest.
  • Provide ideas for programming, activities and networking for “Impact & Impressions” when featured as the Specialty Seminar of the year.

Strategic Planning for Fair Operations & Facilities – Education Program Committee

Committee Description

  • Provide ideas for IAFE members to share information on common issues and challenges associated with planning, developing, and maintaining fairgrounds physical plant resources, as well as funding idea for same.

Technology – Education Program Committee

Committee Description

  • Provide ideas for IAFE members to share information on matters related to  technology.
  • Members of this committee serve in an technology advisory capacity to the IAFE office and IAFE members.  
  • Consulting services can be requested of committee members.

Ticketing – Education Program Committee

Committee Description

  • Education Program Committee

YPI (Young Professionals Initiative) Steering – Administrative Committee

Committee Description

  • Create networking and recruitment opportunities and activities for young (under 40 years) professionals in the Association to share information and ideas.
  • Suggest programming for IAFE events and activities (Convention, Management Conference, Zone meetings) to involve and address the educational interests and needs of young professionals.
  • Rising Star Award:  Review nomination and selection procedures, rules and eligibility criteria and provide recommendations to Awards Committee as well as to select two Steering Committee members to serve on the Rising Star Award selection panel.
  • Members are selected for representation from Zone and Associate member categories according to specific protocol and serve for two years.