The North Dakota State Fair was awarded two Top Honors awards and a total of fifteen International Awards in categories including agriculture, competitive exhibits, communications, and innovation in sponsorship from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE).
Several members of the North Dakota State Fair Staff were also individually recognized for leadership in the organization. Renae Korslien, Manager, completed her term as a Director on the International Association of Fairs and Expositions Board and was newly appointed to a three year term on the National Independent Concessionaire Association Advisory Board. Korslien also completed her course work in the IAFE’s Institute of Fair Management, a program designed to provide basic training in the core competency areas necessary for operating today’s fairs. Craig Rudland, Assistant Manager, completed his term as the Chairman of the 2015 Physical Plant Committee.
The goal of the IAFE Competitive Exhibits Category is to encourage fair members to share methods, ideas, props, new or unique classes, and fair themes which enhance or expand the competitive exhibits area. Along with a Top Honors award for this category, the North Dakota State Fair won the following awards: First place awards were received for Any Other Contest and Competitive Exhibit Display Photo Series, second place awards were received for Use of Theme throughout Competitive Exhibits, Participatory Contest, and Single Photo of a General Display, and a third place award was received for Unique Contest.
The IAFE Innovation in Sponsorship Awards Program recognizes fairs creating successful sponsorships in conjunction with their fair. The North Dakota State Fair won another Top Honor award in this category along with two first place awards for Sponsorship Innovation and First Time Sponsorship.
The purpose of the IAFE Agricultural Awards is to improve the agricultural educational programs of fairs to help determine ways they might be of service to their exhibitors, the fairgoing public, and agriculture businesses. The following agricultural awards were received: second place in Overall Program for Competitive Agricultural Exhibitors, and third place in Special of Specific Event for Agricultural Exhibitors.
The IAFE Communication Awards Category is in place to improve the advertising and publicity programs of fairs and to provide recognition for those fairs doing an outstanding job. The North Dakota State Fair brought home nine Advertising Awards for its 2015 advertising campaign. A first place award was received for Single Brochure/Flyer, second place awards were received for Promotional Poster, Miscellaneous Marketing, Promotional Outdoor Advertising, Web Advertisement, and third place awards were received for Black and White Newspaper Ad, Magazine Advertisement, Electronic Newsletter, and Unique Advertising Merchandise.
“We are very thankful for the opportunity to participate in leadership with the IAFE and the opportunity to showcase the incredible work our team does each year. Our staff works very hard to provide the best for State Fair Attendees,” said Manager, Renae Korslien.
The awards were presented during the 125th Annual IAFE Convention held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The entries are evaluated and judged by a team of industry leaders, selected from the membership of the IAFE.