The Iowa State Fair continued to showcase its leadership in the fair industry by earning multiple awards and honors at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) Annual Convention, held last week in Phoenix, Arizona. Overall, the Iowa State Fair took home 21 awards in Communications, Competitive Exhibits, Agriculture Education and Sponsorship competitions.
The Iowa State Fair was also recognized as the Division 5 winner for the Best Marketing Campaign for the 2024 theme, “Fair Fever.” IAFE awards are divided into five divisions based on attendance and are judged by industry experts. The Iowa State Fair competes against other fairs and festival members with an attendance of over 1 million.
The Iowa State Fair Thrill Parks were designated by the Outdoor Amusement Business Association as recipients of the prestigious Circle of Excellence.
This seal of approval is given to outdoor amusements that have completed a rigorous checklist of requirements and exemplify the highest standards in safety, operation, image and customer satisfaction. To date, the Iowa State Fair is one of only two fairs in the world to have earned this designation.
Iowa State Fair awards are as follows:
Hall of Honor Communications:
Television Commercial: 2nd Place
Radio: 3rd Place
Double-Sided, Multi-Page or Folded Promotional Ad: 3rd Place
Promotional/Advertising Poster: 1st Place
Miscellaneous Marketing: 2nd Place
Social Media: 1st Place
Competitive Exhibits:
New to Your Fair: 2nd Place
Competitive Exhibits Photo Series: 3rd Place
Ag Awards:
Technique/procedure/policy developed by Fair Management to correct an issue or challenge related to an agricultural issue impacting your community or Fair which can be addressed during the Fair: 2nd Place
Newly established or evolving program/exhibit at your fair that promotes agriculture or a current agricultural issue to the fair-going public: 2nd Place
Evolved program/exhibit at your fair that promotes agriculture or a current agricultural issue to the fair-going public: 1st Place
Program/event/exhibit designed to educate consumers/fair-going public on the Story of Food: 2nd Place
Any Other Agriculture Program/Exhibit: 1st Place
Agriculture Individual Photo Horticulture/Crops: 2nd Place
Agriculture Individual Photo Rodeo: 3rd Place
Agriculture Individual Photo Ag Education: 3rd Place
Agriculture Individual Photo Miscellaneous: 3rd Place
Sponsorship:
Sponsorship Innovation: 2nd Place
Sponsor Continuity: 1st Place
In-Kind/Trade Sponsor: 2nd Place
Overall Awards:
Best Marketing Campaign Overall Winner, Division Five