Hall of Honor Communications Awards

Sponsored by:

K&K Insurance

For over 60 years, K&K Insurance has been recognized as the leading provider of sports, leisure and entertainment insurance products. As one of the largest Managing General Underwriters in the United States, we perform a variety of traditional insurance company functions on behalf of the insurance companies we represent, allowing us to provide exceptional service in: program development; sales & marketing; underwriting; policy issuance & administration; loss control; and claims.

Eligibility and Purpose: Only entries from Fair members in good standing with the IAFE are eligible to participate in the awards program. The purpose of this competition is to improve the advertising and publicity programs of fairs and to provide recognition for those fairs doing an outstanding job.

Fair Divisions:(Based upon 2024 reported attendance)

Division 1 — Fairs with attendance of up to 100,000

Division 2 — Fairs with attendance of 100,001 to 250,000

Division 3 — Fairs with attendance of 250,001 to 500,000

Division 4 — Fairs with attendance of 500,001 to 1 million

Division 5 — Fairs with attendance of over 1 million

 If your fair changed division 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:

● In addition to the Marketing Committee, media and ad agency representatives, and other qualified individuals may judge these entries. This is left to the IAFE’s discretion.

● Online judging only – October 3-10, 2025

● At the judges’ discretion, entries may be moved to more suitable categories if the Fair has not already submitted a qualifying entry into the proposed category

● Disqualifications are left to the discretion of the judging panel

● Criteria: is the advertising – motivational; informative; indicative of creative excellence; appropriate to activities, audience and media used; utilizing a central theme; indicative of production excellence.

● All entries will be judged on a 100-point scale on the following criteria:

• Creativity & Innovation (25 points): Originality of concept and approach, use of fresh or unique ideas to engage the audience, adaptation of modern trends
• Effectiveness & Results (20 points): Evidence of impact (measurable outcomes, e.g., attendance, social media engagement, ticket sales), clear alignment with objectives, ROI, or value relative to resources used
• Adherence to Rules (15 points): Full points will be give if the participant follows the rules set forth by the IAFE (i.e. completed fillable form, included required supporting documentation, submitted in the correct format, correct number of pages, etc.) Please read the rules carefully to get all possible points in this area.
• Target Audience Engagement (15 points): How well the piece or campaign resonated with and reaches the intended demographic, use of voice, tone, and design appropriate for the audience
• Clarity & Messaging (15 points): Consistency and clarity of the message, call-to-action (CTA) and key information communicated effectively
• Design & Visual Appeal (10 points): Aesthetic quality and layout, visual consistency with branding

Awards:

(a) Category Winners – First-place entries will receive a plaque; second and third place entries will be able to download a certificate. 

(b) Judges’ Creative Award – Judges may select, from any entry submitted, a Judges’ Creative Award. The item shows creativity, originality, innovation, and superiority to all other entries. The idea or concept should be one that may be replicated (in a larger or smaller format) by any fair, show, exhibition or exposition. Disqualified entries do not qualify for consideration of the Judges' Creative Award. Does not have to come from a first-place category entry. Can not be a best marketing campaign. 

(c) 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. 

*Judges’ discretion will apply in special circumstances.

Online submission procedure:

1. Visit the website www.iafecontest.com

2. Log in and click "My Submissions”

3. Submit your entries – include any necessary form and/or supporting documentation

4. Click "Submit” Procedures (What, When, and How to Enter):

You MUST:

1. Verify entries in each category were a strategy utilized in or an event that took place during the 2024 or 2025 fair, exposition, or exhibition.

2. Submit all entries online at www.iafecontest.com

3. Enter a DIFFERENT concept, idea, method, etc. for each category.

4. Only submit ONE entry per category, unless otherwise noted.

5. Ensure your entries are submitted by the deadline: October 1, 2025.

6. Provide a translation script for all entries not in English.

7. Include fillable forms and/or captions when required

8. All photos must be submitted in a .jpeg or .jpg format. 

8. Submit only one item. A series is considered multiple entries, and in most cases, the categories only allow for one item. Example: daily guides- only submit ONE. In the category form, you can explain that it was part of a series. 

9. 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.)

Do NOT:

1. Do NOT enter category winners (1st, 2nd or 3rd) from previous IAFE Hall of Honor Communications Awards

ENTRY DEADLINE: OCTOBER 1, 2025

Questions? Feel free to contact the IAFE office at 417-605-3582.

Scripted Videos

 Download Form Here

Submission Rules

• Creativity & Innovation (25 points): Originality of concept and approach, use of fresh or unique ideas to engage the audience, adaptation of modern trends
• Effectiveness & Results (20 points): Evidence of impact (measurable outcomes, e.g., attendance, social media engagement, ticket sales), clear alignment with objectives, ROI or value relative to resources used
• Adherence to Rules (15 points): Full points will be given if the participant follows the rules set forth by the IAFE. I.e. completed fillable form, included required supporting documentation, submitted in the correct format, correct number of pages, etc. Please read the rules carefully to get all possible points in this area.
• Target Audience Engagement (15 points): How well the piece or campaign resonates with and reaches the intended demographic, use of voice, tone, and design appropriate for the audience
• Clarity & Messaging (15 points): Consistency and clarity of the message, call-to-action (CTA) and key information communicated effectively
• Design & Visual Appeal (10 points): Aesthetic quality and layout, visual consistency with branding

Radio

 A category for audio advertisement(s) playing on radio stations.

Submission Rules

Single-Sided, Flat Promotional Piece

Download Form Here.

Examples: newspaper ad, magazine ad, banner, window clings, annual campaign/theme poster, entertainment line-up poster, promotional poster, call to action poster, etc.  

Submission Rules

Up to two single-sided, flat promotional pieces total can be entered, in separate entries, and will be scored independently     

Must include:

Double-Sided, Multi-Page, or Folded Promotional Piece

Download form here. 

Examples: brochure, daily guide, booklet, event day sheets, brochure rack ad, table tents, etc. 

Submission Rules

 Up to two double-sided, multi-page, or folded promotional pieces total can be entered, in separate entries, and will be scored independently 

Souvenirs and Commemorative Items

 Download Form Here

Examples: t-shirt, cup, socks, commemorative poster, etc.

Submission Rules

1.  Fillable form
2. 1-4 ACTUAL photos showcasing the same item (use multiple angles, if necessary). No proofs needed. 

All Other Marketing

Download form here. 

This category is specifically for entries that DO NOT fit into any other category (not designed for an overflow category). 

May be from before or during Fair. 

Submission Rules

Up to two all other marketing can be entered, in separate entries, and will be scored independently.  

Must include:

1. Fillable Form
2. Photo of Display/Piece in location
3. May include 1-3 photos, with captions, if necessary

 Entries CANNOT include the following:

• Items that fit the qualifications of another category 

• Creativity & Innovation (25 points): Originality of concept and approach, use of fresh or unique ideas to engage the audience, adaptation of modern trends
• Effectiveness & Results (20 points): Evidence of impact (measurable outcomes, e.g., attendance, social media engagement, ticket sales), clear alignment with objectives, ROI or value relative to resources used
• Adherence to Rules (15 points): Full points will be given if the participant follows the rules set forth by the IAFE. I.e. completed fillable form, included required supporting documentation, submitted in the correct format, correct number of pages, etc. Please read the rules carefully to get all possible points in this area.
• Target Audience Engagement (15 points): How well the piece or campaign resonates with and reaches the intended demographic, use of voice, tone, and design appropriate for the audience
• Clarity & Messaging (15 points): Consistency and clarity of the message, call-to-action (CTA) and key information communicated effectively
• Design & Visual Appeal (10 points): Aesthetic quality and layout, visual consistency with branding 

Promotional Outdoor Digital Advertising

Examples: digital billboards, digital outdoor screens, etc. 

Submission Rules

Must include:

1. Artwork copy (proof) (The purpose of this is to be judged.)
2. Photo of billboard/signage on location (no photoshopped/mock-ups allowed) (The purpose of submitting this is to show the piece was actually displayed.)

- Limit of three photos (one photo is acceptable, but may include up to three if needed)

• Creativity & Innovation (25 points): Originality of concept and approach, use of fresh or unique ideas to engage the audience, adaptation of modern trends
• Effectiveness & Results (20 points): Evidence of impact (measurable outcomes, e.g., attendance, social media engagement, ticket sales), clear alignment with objectives, ROI or value relative to resources used
• Adherence to Rules (15 points): Full points will be given if the participant follows the rules set forth by the IAFE. I.e. completed fillable form, included required supporting documentation, submitted in the correct format, correct number of pages, etc. Please read the rules carefully to get all possible points in this area.
• Target Audience Engagement (15 points): How well the piece or campaign resonates with and reaches the intended demographic, use of voice, tone, and design appropriate for the audience
• Clarity & Messaging (15 points): Consistency and clarity of the message, call-to-action (CTA) and key information communicated effectively
• Design & Visual Appeal (10 points): Aesthetic quality and layout, visual consistency with branding 

Online advertisement

Download form here.

Examples: web banner, app advertisement, social media ad, etc.

Submission Rules

Must include:

1. Fillable form
2. Digital Proof in PDF or JPG format. (The purpose of this is to be judged.)
3. Actual screenshot in PDF or JPG format (showing surrounding editorial and/or actual item in location) (The purpose of submitting this is show the ad was actually displayed.) No photoshopped/mock-ups allowed. 

• Creativity & Innovation (25 points): Originality of concept and approach, use of fresh or unique ideas to engage the audience, adaptation of modern trends
• Effectiveness & Results (20 points): Evidence of impact (measurable outcomes, e.g., attendance, social media engagement, ticket sales), clear alignment with objectives, ROI or value relative to resources used
• Adherence to Rules (15 points): Full points will be given if the participant follows the rules set forth by the IAFE. I.e. completed fillable form, included required supporting documentation, submitted in the correct format, correct number of pages, etc. Please read the rules carefully to get all possible points in this area.
• Target Audience Engagement (15 points): How well the piece or campaign resonates with and reaches the intended demographic, use of voice, tone, and design appropriate for the audience
• Clarity & Messaging (15 points): Consistency and clarity of the message, call-to-action (CTA) and key information communicated effectively
• Design & Visual Appeal (10 points): Aesthetic quality and layout, visual consistency with branding 

Best Marketing Campaign

Download Form Here

View layout sample here: https://iafe.s3.amazonaws.com/contest/2022/Best+Marketing+Campaign%2C+sample+format.pdf

Submission Rules

Rules:

• Judging Criteria: In addition to previously mentioned criteria, this category will also be judged on continuity of theme and results. A scoring weight will be placed on the synopsis; accounting for 25% of the total score.

Candid Videos

 Download Form Here.

Submission Rules

• Creativity & Innovation (25 points): Originality of concept and approach, use of fresh or unique ideas to engage the audience, adaptation of modern trends
• Effectiveness & Results (20 points): Evidence of impact (measurable outcomes, e.g., attendance, social media engagement, ticket sales), clear alignment with objectives, ROI or value relative to resources used
• Adherence to Rules (15 points): Full points will be given if the participant follows the rules set forth by the IAFE. I.e. completed fillable form, included required supporting documentation, submitted in the correct format, correct number of pages, etc. Please read the rules carefully to get all possible points in this area.
• Target Audience Engagement (15 points): How well the piece or campaign resonates with and reaches the intended demographic, use of voice, tone, and design appropriate for the audience
• Clarity & Messaging (15 points): Consistency and clarity of the message, call-to-action (CTA) and key information communicated effectively
• Design & Visual Appeal (10 points): Aesthetic quality and layout, visual consistency with branding 

Promotional Outdoor Static Advertising

Submission Rules

1. Artwork copy (proof) (The purpose of this is to be judged.)
2. Photo of billboard/signage on location (no photo shopped/mock-ups allowed) (The purpose of submitting this is to show the piece was actually displayed.)

Social Media Campaign

Submission Rules

1. Fillable Form
2. Screenshots and any supporting documentation

• Social media videos- those should be entered in category 1A or 1B