Competitive Exhibits Awards
Download rules here.
Purpose
The purpose of this competition is to encourage fair members to share methods, ideas, props, new classes, and fair themes that enhance or expand the competitive exhibits area. This will enable us to improve this aspect of our industry.
The goals are to:
1. Make available to members the information from the contest entries through displays at the annual convention, articles in Fairs & Expos, the IAFE’s Online Library and/or published manuals so we can learn and expand in this important area.
2. Provide a line of communication for member fairs to share information concerning the competitive exhibits area.
3. Drive innovation in competitive exhibits by establishing a friendly competitive atmosphere between member Fairs.
How to Enter
All entries must be submitted in digital format on www.iafecontest.com. Please read the following rules and the category submittal forms carefully for entry format and file size limits.
DEADLINE: All entries must be uploaded by October 1, 2025 at 11:59p.m. CST!
PROCEDURES: Visit www.iafecontest.com for detailed instructions.
Be sure to have the following 2 pieces of information before visiting the site:
1.E-mail Address (use to login or signup)
2.2024 Fair Attendance
Fairs which participated in a previous contest program already have an account established with detailed login instructions. If you need assistance, please contact Anna Wilson annaw@fairsandexpos.com or 417.605.3582.
Guidelines
1. Entries in all the categories are a result of the 2024 or 2025 fair season.
2. No animal entries allowed – the competitive exhibit contests are solely dedicated to non- animal exhibits. All animal contests should be submitted in the agriculture contest. The only exception is Category 8 (Special Contest).
3. Each entry must be a new concept or program to your fair or has not been entered into an IAFE Contest before.
4. Each fair may submit only one entry per category, unless otherwise noted. If submitting two entries within a category, each entry may place.
5. A specific program / event / theme / exhibit may only be submitted in one category.
6. Entries must be submitted using the appropriate category form and may not exceed space allocated on form.
7. All entries have a corresponding entry form.
8. Additional pages may not exceed the number of pages listed under "Categories at a Glance." Photos may be utilized as supplemental documentation with a one sentence description.
9. Entries must be submitted in digital format for judging. Compress photos and files to meet the file size limitations. All photos are to be submitted in .jpeg or .jpg format.
10. Submissions may not have previously placed (1st, 2nd or 3rd) in Competitive Exhibits Awards.
11. The IAFE monitors the contest awards and tries to
identify incomplete entries; however, the responsibility lies with the
submitting organization to ensure their entry is complete. After the
contest deadline, the IAFE, and/or committee member will not contact an
organization to make revisions or additions to an entry. The judges may
move an entry from one category to another within the same contest.
Entries will not be moved from one contest to another (i.e. Agriculture
contest to Competitive Exhibits contest.)
Divisions
(Based on 2024 reported Fair attendance)
Division 1: Fairs with an attendance of up to 100,000
Division 2: Fairs with an attendance of 100,001 - 250,000
Division 3: Fairs with an attendance of 250,001 - 500,000
Division 4: Fairs with an attendance of 500,001 - 1 million
Division 5: Fairs with an attendance over 1 million
If
your fair changed divisions from 2024 contest, please let Anna Wilson know
immediately at annaw@fairsandexpos.com so she can adjust your division so your entries are correctly entered.
Judging
All categories will use the criteria specified under each category and will be scored by at least three judges using a 100-point scale. Rankings will be determined by score, and all ties will be broken by the judges and/or committee chair.
Entries will be judged in October by a panel consisting of the Competitive Exhibits Committee and others the IAFE Chair may appoint. Entries will be judged online using the criteria outlined with an evaluation scoring form. Entries in noncompliance with specific instructions and/or entries not meeting minimal standards will be reflected in judges’ final scores and placing or may be disqualified. The judges may move an entry from one category to another within the same contest. Entries will not be moved from one contest to another (i.e. Agriculture contest to Competitive Exhibits contest.)
Awards
JUDGES’ CHOICE AWARD: Judges will select a "Judges’ Choice Award” from any entry. The winning entry should be exceptionally original, creative, and innovative. An ideal winner would be a program or concept which may be easily replicated (larger or smaller format) by any fair or exposition.
DIVISION WINNERS: The highest scored entry in each division will become the Division Champion.
CATEGORY AWARDS: First place winners will receive a plaque; 2nd and 3rd place winners receive certificates.
CONVENTION: All qualified entries are invited to showcase their entry or entries at the Annual IAFE Convention in Denver. You do not need to have placed in the competition to participate. If you are unable to attend in person and wish to ship your entry, it must arrive at the IAFE Office no later than November 1. Please note that disqualified entries are not eligible for display.
Definitions
Class - One contest or competition, identified by a single class number, with one set of placements by a single judging process. There are different terms used for "class” (i.e. lots).
Competitive Exhibits - Items that fair exhibitors enter in non-animal competition (judged/placed) at the fair and then are displayed or presented during the fair. Examples: vegetables, foods, textiles, arts, crafts, hobbies, agricultural products, etc.
Contests - Special events/activities that are in addition to regular divisions (departments / sections / classes / lots) of competition held during the fair. May or may not be listed in prize listing.
Creative Display Methods - Items and ideas which fairs use in order to display the fair entries of individual exhibitors in a particular category, e.g. quilts, clothing, canning, etc. A "display” implies static permanence for some significant part or the entirety of the fair.
Department- A broad grouping that organizes similar types of exhibits together based on subject matter or craft type. Each department typically contains multiple divisions/sections/categories, which are further broken down into classes for specific types of entries. Example: Culinary would be a department, under which you might have divisions/sections for bread, jams, cakes, cookies, etc. For some fairs, the departments might be smaller units (i.e. instead of Culinary as the department, they may have a culinary area with departments of canned goods, breads, cakes, etc.)
Division - For the purposes of the Competitive Exhibits Awards Program, a "Division” means a major grouping of classes/lots (each class/lot has separate placement of entries by a single judging process) which all relate to a general subject or process area of the "Division.” There are many different terms that cover the concept of "Division.” For some fairs it might be "Department” or "Section.” An example has been included on the following page.
Examples: Photography is a division with classes for still life, scenic, animals, children, etc. Home Arts is a division with classes for knitted items, crocheted items, sewn items, etc.
Props - Materials or items used to create the final display and stage for the competitive exhibits. They may be fair or commercially produced. Does not include sampling booths, demonstration booths, etc.
Categories At-A-Glance
|
Category Number |
Category Name |
Entry Form? |
Max # of Pages of Supporting
Documentation |
|
1 |
Use of Fair Theme Throughout Multiple Divisions of Competitive Exhibits |
YES |
10 |
|
2 |
New Class of Competition |
YES |
3 |
|
3 |
New Division of Competition |
YES |
3 |
|
4 |
Display Method and/or Prop |
YES |
3 |
|
5 |
Strategy or Tactic to Encourage
New Competitive Exhibits Participants |
YES |
3 |
|
6 |
Competitive Exhibit Display – Photo Series |
YES |
0 - Caption Required |
|
7 |
Creative Display – Single Photo or Photo Series |
YES |
0 - Caption Required |
|
8 |
Special Contest |
YES |
3 |
|
9 |
Contest with New Partner and/or Sponsor |
YES |
3 |
|
10 |
Any Other Competitive Exhibits Entry That Does Not Fit Any Other
Competitive Exhibits Category |
YES |
3 |
ENTER THIS CATEGORY Use of Fair Theme Throughout Multiple Divisions of Competitive Exhibits
Download Form Here.
Show how the fair incorporated a single theme THROUGHOUT multiple divisions (departments, sections) and classes of competitive exhibits. Fairs can submit up to 10 pages of support materials for this category.
If your fair utilizes a theme for multiple years, this entry cannot be one which has previously won or placed in this IAFE contest. This is NOT how the theme was carried out in other areas such as marketing, grounds décor, entertainment, etc. This category ONLY focuses on how a theme was utilized in competitive exhibits. Be sure the judges can tell how your theme was used within the multiple divisions.
Submission Rules
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION:
Maximum # of pages of supporting documentation allowed: 10
JUDGING CRITERIA:
• Originality of methods of utilizing the theme throughout the Competitive Exhibits area (50 points)
• Scope and acceptance of program by the exhibitors (25 points)
• Overall achievement / Judge’s discretion (25 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY New Division of Competition
Download Form Here.
ENTER CONTESTS UNDER CATEGORY 8
A new division of competition offered to exhibitors to increase the number of competitive exhibits at your fair. A division has multiple classes within its scope.
Show how the fair added a new division aimed at attracting a new market of competitive exhibitors.
Submission Rules
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION:
Maximum # of pages of supporting documentation allowed: 3
JUDGING CRITERIA:
• Innovation of the new division (25 points)
• Adaptability of the division to fairs of different sizes (20 points)
• Did the new division meet goals set? (20 points)
• Scope and acceptance of the division by fair exhibitors and guests (20 points)
• Overall achievement / Judge’s discretion (15 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY Display Method and/or Prop
Download Form Here.
Show a single new method or prop that is used to display competitive exhibits, i.e. quilt rack, jelly display, etc.
Submission Rules
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION:
Maximum # of pages of supporting documentation allowed: 3
JUDGING CRITERIA:
• Originality/Innovation of display method and/or prop (35 points)
• Does this new display method and/or prop showcase the fair exhibitor’s entry in such a way as to encourage participation and recognition of the exhibitor’s efforts? 25 points)
• Adaptability of new display method and/or prop to fairs of different sizes (20 points)
• Ease and cost of construction (20 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY New Class of Competition
Download Form Here.
ENTER CONTESTS IN CATEGORY 8
A new class of competition offered at your fair to exhibitors to increase the number of competitive exhibits. (Fairs may submit two separate entries for this category.)
Show how the fair added a new class aimed at attracting a new market of competitive exhibitors. Examples include Sampler Quilt Block Competition, Beer Bread Contest, Lego Art.
Submission Rules
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION:
Maximum # of pages of supporting documentation allowed: 3
JUDGING CRITERIA:
• Innovation of the new class (25 points)
• Adaptability of the class to fairs of different sizes (20 points)
• Did the new class meet goals set? (20 points)
• Scope and acceptance of the class by fair exhibitors and guests (20 points)
• Overall achievement / Judge’s discretion (15 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY Strategy or Tactic to Encourage New Competitive Exhibits participants
Download Form Here.
A new method or tactic to interact with the fair’s overall competitive exhibit audience. (Examples: social media, people's choice voting kiosk, workshop.)
Submission Rules
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION:
Maximum # of pages of supporting documentation allowed: 3
JUDGING CRITERIA:
• Innovation of the method/strategy (40 points)
• Adaptability of the method/strategy to fairs of different sizes (30 points)
• Did the method/strategy meet goals set? (20 points)
• Scope and acceptance of the program by fair audience and exhibitors (10 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY Competitive Exhibits (Photo Series)
DOWNLOAD FORM HERE
Caption Required
DESCRIPTION:
A photo series that shows an informative, interesting, or unique scene from your fair’s non- animal competitive exhibit classes. No less than 3 photos; no more than 5 photos. Captions are required (limit of one sentence).
Submission Rules
JUDGING CRITERIA:
• Originality & Creativity (50 points)
• General Appeal (30 points)
• Caption (20 points)
Quality and composition of the photo may be considered. Main judging focus should be the content or activity depicted in the photo series.
ENTER THIS CATEGORY Creative Display (Single Photo or Photo Series)
DOWNLOAD FORM HERE
Captions Required
DESCRIPTION: Up to 5 photos depicting an informative, interesting, unique, non-commercial, and non- animal exhibit from your fair. Display must have been created by the fair or a community partner and not entered into the fair for judging of any type. Photo(s) must be of a single display; not a group of displays. To clarify, this is not a photo of competitive exhibit entries that have been judged and placed on display; nor is it a photo of a prop utilized to display competitive exhibits. Caption is required (limit of one sentence).
Examples include educational display, historical display, community display, fair beautification display, etc.
Submission Rules
JUDGING CRITERIA:
• Originality & Creativity (50 points)
• General appeal (30 points)
• Caption (20 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY Special Contest
Download Form Here.
DESCRIPTION:
Contests are defined as special events / activities that are held in addition to regular divisions (departments / sections / classes / lots) of competition during the fair. Contest does not need to be listed in the prize listing. Fairs may submit two separate entries for this category.
Types of Special Contests –
1. Create It On The Spot. Exhibitors create or make an item from start to finish "on the spot” AT the fair AND are judged in a traditional manner (by one judge or a panel of judges) with single placements (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.). All supplies must be provided by the Fair. Pre-registration is allowed, but not required.
2. Participatory. Participants complete the entire contest at the fair and typically invite members of the public to participate. The winner(s) of the contest may be selected by a variety of means, but might typically be by audience applause, timed event, scoring, etc. Pie-eating contest, watermelon seed-spitting contest, etc.
3. Unique Non-Traditional Animal Contests. Entire non-traditional animal contest that takes place during the fair and does not fit into the Agriculture contest. Examples: fashion shows, races, etc.
4. Other Than Listed. Contest where judging occurs during the fair. Contest could include an event where some parts of the contest may be created at home and then judged at the fair (could be live judging).
Submission Rules
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION:
Maximum # of pages of supporting documentation allowed: 3
JUDGING CRITERIA:
• Uniqueness of the competitive exhibit contest (30 points)
• Adaptability of this contest to fairs of different sizes (20 points)
• Promotion of the activity (20 points)
• Scope and acceptance of the program, participation by the public and participants (15 points)
• Overall achievement / Judge’s discretion (15 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY New Competitive Exhibits Contest with New Partner/Sponsor
Download Form Here.
DESCRIPTION:
This category is for a new competitive exhibits contest with a new partner/sponsor that is held during the fair.
Submission Rules
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION:
Maximum # of pages of supporting documentation allowed: 3
JUDGING CRITERIA:
• Contest and Partner/Sponsor Complement One Another (40 points)
• Creative and Unique Contest (35 points)
• Adaptability of this contest to fairs of different sizes (15 points)
• Judge's Discretion (10 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY Any Other Competitive Exhibits Entry That Does Not Fit Any Other Competitive Exhibits Category
Download Form Here.
DESCRIPTION: This category is for anything competitive exhibits related entry that does not fit in any category above. Fairs may submit two separate entries for this category.
Submission Rules
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION:
Maximum # of pages of supporting documentation allowed: 3
JUDGING CRITERIA:
• Innovation of the method / strategy (40 points)
• Adaptability of the method / strategy to different size fairs (30 points)
• Did the method/strategy meet goals set? (20 points)
• Scope and acceptance of the program by fair audience and exhibitors (10 points)
