The North Dakota State Fair was awarded a total of eleven first place International Awards in categories including agriculture, competitive exhibits, and communications from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) headquartered in Springfield, MO.
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 first place agricultural awards were received: Overall Program for Commercial Ag Vendors, and Agriculture Photo Series.
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 five first place Advertising Awards for its 2013 advertising campaign. First place awards were received for Black & White Newspaper Ad, Out of Home Advertising, Flyer Series, E-Newsletter, and Website.
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. First place awards received in the Competitive Exhibits Category include: Participatory Contest, Unique Contest, Competitive Exhibit Display Photo and General Photo Display.
“We are very excited to be recognized for the emphasis and focus that we place on each of these departments. Our staff works very hard every year to provide the best for State Fair Attendees,” said Manager, Renae Korslien.
The awards were presented during the 123rd Annual IAFE Convention held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Along with the 11 first place awards the North Dakota State Fair received 18 second and third place awards. The entries are evaluated and judged by a team of industry leaders, selected from the membership of the IAFE.