Non-Fair Facility Usage
Download Rules Here
Purpose
The purpose of this competition is to:
•Strengthen IAFE member fairs by sharing ideas on how to increase usage and revenue outside of the annual fair.
•Identify successful events that IAFE member fairs could host and to identify how to effectively market your facility.
•Recognize fairs which excel in using and marketing their facility for events and programs outside of the annual fair.
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 by 11:59p.m. CST!
PROCEDURES:
Visit www.iafecontest.com for detailed instructions and to view an instructional video on how to submit your entries. Be sure to have the following 2 pieces of information before submitting entries on the site:
1. E-mail Address (use to login or signup)
2. 2024 Fair Attendance
If you need assistance creating an account at www.iafecontest.com, please contact Anna Wilson at annaw@fairsandexpos.com or 417-605-3582.
GUIDELINES:
1.Entries in all of the categories should showcase events or marketing activities that took place in within 12 months of the judging (Sept. 30 of current year).
2. Each entry must be original concept, program, marketing or activity of the member submitting the entry.
3. Each fair may submit only 1 entry per category (unless otherwise noted).
4. Each entry must include entry form and, if wanted, supplemental documentation. No entry should exceed 5 total pages of supplemental documentation and have no more than 4 images on a page.
5. Entries must be submitted in digital format (PDF files) for judging. All photos must be in a .jpeg or .jpg format if not submitted in a PDF. No videos should be part of an entry except category 2A.
6. Winning entries (1st, 2nd, 3rd place winners) in any previous Non-Fair Facility Usage Awards Program are not eligible to resubmit the same material in the same category in 2024.
DIVISIONS: (Based on 2024 reported Fair attendance)
1. Fairs with an attendance of up to 100,000
2. Fairs with an attendance of 100,001 - 250,000
3. Fairs with an attendance of 250,001 - 500,000
4. Fairs with an attendance of 500,001 - 1 million
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:
Category 1 will use the following criteria for judging:
1. Event Success and Overall achievement (25 points)
2. Promotion of Event (25 points)
3. Goal Achievement, Attendee Reaction (25 points)
4. Originality and Uniqueness (25 points)
Category 2, 3, and 4:
1. Originality (40 points)
2. Description (depending on category) of marketing activities or project, plan or partnership (30 points)
3. Goal Achievement (30 points)
Note: Entries will be
judged in October by a panel consisting of the Non-Fair Facility Usage
Committee and others deemed qualified by the IAFE. 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.)
Category Awards:
First place winners will receive a plaque; 2nd and 3rd place winners receive certificates available to download on the IAFE Contest Website.
Best of Division Awards:
The highest scoring entry in each division will become the Division Champion.
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.
ENTER THIS CATEGORY Successful Non-Fair Event at your Facility (Produced or Co-Produced by Facility Staff)
Recognition of a successful non-fair event taking place in the facility
which is produced in conjunction with or without a partner. Event should have taken
place in the 12 months prior to the awards judging (which is approximately Oct.
1 of the current year).
Submission Rules
Entries should
include the event description; marketing activities used to
promote the event; information on the reaction of attendees to the event; and
pictures from the event to help provide a visual to judges of the contest.
Judging Criteria:
Event Success and Overall achievement (25 points)
Promotion of Event (25 points)
Goal Achievement, Attendee Reaction (25 points)
Originality and Uniqueness (25 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY Best 1st Year Event NOT produced by Facility Staff
Recognition of a successful non-fair event taking place in the facility
which is NOT produced in conjunction with a partner. The event entered must have been held in your
Facility for the first time ever.
Submission Rules
Entries should
include the event description; marketing activities used to
promote the event; information on the reaction of attendees to the event; and
pictures from the event to help provide a visual to judges of the contest.
Judging Criteria:
Event Success and Overall achievement (25 points)
Promotion of Event (25 points)
Goal Achievement, Attendee Reaction (25 points)
Originality and Uniqueness (25 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY Video Used to Promote Your Facility
Download Form Here
Recognition of
one specific aspect of your overall campaign. Those entering should submit a digital image and a brief description of
outlining how the item, action or campaign was used to promote your facility. A working link must be provided for category
2A. For categories 2C, 2D, and 2E, we would expect
a screenshot(s) to be included in your entry along with the description of the
campaign.
Submission Rules
Include images/screenshots to support the response
Judging Criteria:
Originality (40 points)
Description (depending on category of marketing activities or project, plan or partnership) (30 points)
Goal Achievement (30 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY Printed Promotional Material Specific to Non-Fair Facility Usage or Rentals
Download Form Here
Recognition of one specific aspect of your overall campaign. Those entering should submit a digital image and a brief description of outlining how the item, action or campaign was used to promote your facility. A working link must be provided for category 2A. For categories 2C, 2D, and 2E, we would expect a screenshot(s) to be included in your entry along with the description of the campaign.
Submission Rules
Include images/screenshots to support the response
Judging Criteria:
Originality (40 points)
Description (depending on category of marketing activities or project, plan or partnership) (30 points)
Goal Achievement (30 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY Website (Facility Specific)
Download Form Here
Recognition of one specific aspect of your overall campaign. Those entering should submit a digital image and a brief description of outlining how the item, action or campaign was used to promote your facility. A working link must be provided for category 2A. For categories 2C, 2D, and 2E, we would expect a screenshot(s) to be included in your entry along with the description of the campaign.
Submission Rules
Include images/screenshots to support the response
Judging Criteria:
Originality (40 points)
Description (depending on category of marketing activities or project, plan or partnership) (30 points)
Goal Achievement (30 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY Social Media (Facility Specific)
Download Form Here
Recognition of one specific aspect of your overall campaign. Those entering should submit a digital image and a brief description of outlining how the item, action or campaign was used to promote your facility. A working link must be provided for category 2A. For categories 2C, 2D, and 2E, we would expect a screenshot(s) to be included in your entry along with the description of the campaign.
Submission Rules
Include images/screenshots to support the response
Judging Criteria:
Originality (40 points)
Description (depending on category of marketing activities or project, plan or partnership) (30 points)
Goal Achievement (30 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY Facility Beautification Project
Download Form Here
Entries should
include a description of the Project or Plan. Please include images to help with the
understanding of the Improvement to your Facility.
Submission Rules
Include images to illustrate the improvement(s)
Judging Criteria:
Originality (40 points)
Description (depending on category of marketing activities or project, plan or partnership) (30 points)
Goal Achievement (30 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY Capital Improvement Plan and Execution – include site plans, funding and finished result
Download Form Here
Entries should
include a description of the Project or Plan. Please include images to help with the
understanding of the Improvement to your Facility.
Submission Rules
Include images to illustrate the improvement(s)
Judging Criteria:
Originality (40 points)
Description (depending on category of marketing activities or project, plan or partnership) (30 points)
Goal Achievement (30 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY Facility Partnerships – unique partnerships with other business(es) that sponsor the facility or grounds year-round.
Download Form Here
Entries should
describe the Partnership. Please include images to help with the understanding the value and
uniqueness of the Partnership.
Submission Rules
Include images showcasing the partnership in action
Judging Criteria:
Originality (40 points)
Description (depending on category of marketing activities or project, plan or partnership) (30 points)
Goal Achievement (30 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY Non-Fair Event Designed to Educate
Recognition of a successful non-fair event designed to provide education such as conferences, field trips, workforce training, K-9 training, etc. The entered event can be produced by the fair or a promoter.
Submission Rules
Entries should include the event description, marketing activities used to promote the event, information on the reaction of attendees to the event, and pictures from the event to help provide a visual to judges of the contest.
Judging Criteria:
Event Success and Overall achievement (25 points)
Promotion of Event (25 points)
Goal Achievement, Attendee Reaction (25 points)
Originality and Uniqueness (25 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY Non-Fair Event Designed to Support a Non-Profit
Recognition of an event that supports a local non-profit such as a banquet, fun run, etc. The entered event can be produced by the fair or a promoter.
Submission Rules
Entries should include the event description, marketing activities used to promote the event, information on the reaction of attendees to the event, and pictures from the event to help provide a visual to judges of the contest.
Judging Criteria:
Event Success and Overall achievement (25 points)
Promotion of Event (25 points)
Goal Achievement, Attendee Reaction (25 points)
Originality and Uniqueness (25 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY Other: Unique Marketing Tactic
Download Form Here
Recognition of one specific aspect of your overall campaign. Those entering should submit a digital image and a brief description of outlining how the item, action or campaign was used to promote your facility. A working link must be provided for category 2A. For categories 2C, 2D, and 2E, we would expect a screenshot(s) to be included in your entry along with the description of the campaign.
Submission Rules
Include images/screenshots to support the response
Judging Criteria:
Originality (40 points)
Description (depending on category of marketing activities or project, plan or partnership) (30 points)
Goal Achievement (30 points)