IAFE Committees
IAFE programming and activities are largely determined by the work of the committees, which are divided into three categories: administrative, activity, and education programs.
Time to sign up to serve on an IAFE Committee!
- Serving on a committee is a fantastic way to network with other members whose interests or specialties align with yours.
- Serving on a committee is EASY! If you’re attending the Convention, join the live discussions of the many committees that are held during the meeting. Once the new year begins, the committees will start regular conference calls. Some “meet” via conference call only 2-3 times yearly; others meet monthly. Calls are fairly short, generally less than an hour.
- Committees drive the educational program content for your Association! Each committee presents at least three topics for consideration for the Annual Convention, which are “put to the vote” online. Last year, over 48,000 votes were cast, resulting in a Convention program that truly reflects your concerns and interests.
Committee Types
EDUCATION PROGRAM COMMITTEES: Anyone associated with an IAFE member (fair, associate, state/provincial association) is invited to volunteer to serve on any committee listed below as “Education Program.” All Education Program Committees are asked to recruit members to submit at least three articles for the Fairs & Expos magazine and six items for the IAFE Resource Library. Each of these committees is also asked to contribute ideas for the Annual Convention programming. In addition, each committee is asked to select members to serve on the Foundation Fundraising Committee.
ACTIVITY COMMITTEES: Each activity committee has designated appointees, but others are welcome to volunteer. See each committee for any limitations.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEES: All members are appointed or selected according to a specific procedure.
Agriculture – Education Program Committee
Committee Description
- Through monthly virtual meetings, the committee advances ideas and best practices for members to increase awareness, enhance fairgoers’ experiences, and develop sustainable agriculture education programming.
- The Committee identifies topics, presenters, and panelists for discussions, workshops, and presentations at the IAFE Convention, CyberSeminars, etc.
- Agricultural Awards Contest – Recommend to staff the rules, categories, and procedures for the contest; encourage participation and mentor members in submission procedures; and serve as judges for the agriculture contest entries.
- Responsible, in conjunction with the IAFE Education Foundation, for the Raisin’ For A Reason benefit auction traditionally held at the Convention.
- Participate in various sub-committees, including Agriculture Education.
Chair: Courtny Hinds, IFMG, CFE – Wyoming State Fair
Staff Liaison: Anna Wilson
Awards – Administrative Committee
Committee Description
- Review IAFE Hall of Fame applications and select a recipient.
- Review procedures and program rules for all Association awards programs.
- The incoming Chair makes appointments to the committee and represents one from each Zone.
Chair: Alexcia Jordan, IFMG, CFE
Amanda Griesheimer, IFMG, CFE
Melanie Linnear, IFMG, CFE
Mathew Immel, IFMG, CFE
Paula Struble, IFMG, CFE
Greg Stewart, CFE
Marty Svrcek, IFMG, CFE
Rob Lumsden
Board Liaison: Jo Reynolds, IFMG, CFE
Staff Liaison: Anna Wilson
Budget & Finance – Administrative Committee
Committee Description
- Review the annual budget prepared and proposed by the IAFE President and CEO before submitting it to the IAFE Board.
- The incoming Chair makes appointments to the committee.
Chair: Renee McClain
Jessica Buchheit
Melissa Au-Yeung
Abbi Huber
Tim Shea
Matt Wallsmith, IFMG
Jaime Navarro
Staff Liaison: David Grindle
Certification – Administrative Committee
Committee Description
- Certification Programs (CFE and CFVM) – reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding qualifications, criteria, requirements, and program policies, as well as reviews applications, providing recommendations to the Board for approval. The committee chair is responsible for communicating with each applicant regarding the application’s acceptance or rejection.
- Assists in the presentation of accredited candidates.
- From the initial appointment as a first-year person, a member serves four years, ending the last year of service as Chair of the Committee.
Chair: Kari Mergen, IFMG, CFE
James Romer, IFMG, CFE
Anna Whelchel, CFE
Bill Olson, IFMG, CFE
Staff Liaison: Kate Turner, CMP
Commercial Exhibits & Concessions – Education Program Committee
Committee Description
- Provide ideas for IAFE members to share information on matters related to commercial exhibits and concessions.
- May be asked to contribute to Industry Relations Committee projects.
Chair: Roylene Crawford, IFMG, CVFM – Kittitas County Fair, WA
Staff Liaison: Sheree Graves
Competitive Exhibits – Education Program Committee
Committee Description
- Create networking opportunities through committee meetings to share information, ideas, and best practices related to competitive exhibits (non-livestock).
- Energize committee members to enhance, improve, and make the competitive exhibits at their fairs relative to their community by sharing new ideas and inspiring other IAFE Member Fairs to do the same.
- Establish a creative and supportive panel of competitive exhibit experts to mentor and assist others in growing their programs and/or problem-solving.
- Craft and propose at least three competitive exhibit-related topic ideas for the annual IAFE Convention program.
- Review the rules, categories, and procedures for the IAFE Competitive Exhibits Contest, recommending changes to the staff.
- Encourage participation in the IAFE Competitive Exhibits Contest; participate on the judging committee.
Chair: Mary Check, IFMG – Rock County 4-H Fair, WI
Staff Liaison: Sheree Graves
Convention Program – Activity Committee
Committee Description
- Provide program recommendations for the IAFE Annual Convention, including activities, networking, educational programming (as might be suggested by IAFE Education Program Committees), marketing, and promotion.
- Serve as ambassadors and mentors to welcome first-time convention attendees.
- Will assist IAFE Staff with programs and activities when on-site at events.
Chair: Alexcia Jordan, IFMG, CFE
Staff Liaison: Kate Turner, CMP
County Fairs – Education Program Committee
Committee Description
- Provide ideas to the IAFE Board of Directors and Staff on serving small-budget fairs’ interests and unique needs.
- Provide ideas on recruiting new small-budget fairs as members and encouraging their retention and engagement in the Association.
- Mentor new small-budget fair members.
Chair: Jamie Jones – Grady County Fair, OK
Staff Liaison: Amy Listle
Entertainment – Education Program Committee
Committee Description
- Connects IAFE members to share ideas, build relationships, and exchange insights on entertainment. From discovering new acts to enhancing fair programming, we help create exciting and engaging experiences while fostering a strong network within the industry.
Chair: Jessica Henchel – Indiana State Fair
Staff Liaison: Steve Siever
Human Resources – Education Program Committee
Committee Description
Human Resources professionals and staff with an interest in HR topics. The Human Resources Committee will (a) ensure that HR matters are covered in IAFE education and meetings and (b) act as a support/network group on this highly specialized topic.
Chair: Samantha Dennis – Wisconsin State Fair
Staff Liaison: Kathy Hartley
Industry Relations – Administrative Committee
Committee Description
- Works to improve and enhance relations with allied and affiliated industry organizations.
- Initiate special projects and/or programming as may be appropriate.
- Recommends educational and/or informational programming for the IAFE Convention and/or Management Conference.
Chair: Courtny Hinds, IFMG, CFE
Amanda Blair, IFMG, CFE
Jerry Ross
Daryl Whicheloe
Eddie Cora, IFMG
Jay Strates
Staff Liaison: David Grindle
Management Conference – Activity Committee
Committee Description
- Limited to those members eligible to attend this Conference.
- Provide program recommendations for the Management Conference, including activities, networking, educational programming (as might be suggested by IAFE Education Program Committees), marketing, and promotion.
- Serve as ambassadors and mentors to welcome first-time Conference attendees.
- Will assist IAFE Staff with programs and activities when on-site at events.
Chair: Chris Derby
Co-Chair: Anna Whelchel, CFE
Staff Liaison: Kate Turner, CMP
Marketing – Education Program Committee
Committee Description
- Provide ideas for IAFE members to share information and resources related to advertising, promotions, and public relations.
- Hall of Honor Communications Awards Contest—Recommend staff follow the rules, categories, and procedures for the contest; encourage participation and mentor members in submission procedures; and encourage them to serve on the judging committee for the annual Hall of Honor Communications Awards Contest.
- Subcommittee add-on option: Graphic Design
Chair: Rachel Ungruhn – Mercer County Fair, OH
Staff Liaison: Andrea Simeone
Nominating – Administrative Committee
Committee Description
- Recommends a slate of candidates for IAFE Officer positions on the Executive Committee (except for President) per the Association’s bylaws.
- The incoming Chair makes appointments for representation from each Zone.
Chair: Jo Reynolds, IFMG, CFE
Nancy L. Smith, IFMG, CFE
Steven Patterson, IFMG, CFE
Chris Derby
Amanda Frigon, IFMG
Wanell Costello
Andy Imperati
Scott Kozelka, IFMG
Staff Liaison: David Grindle
Non-Fair Facility Usage – Education Program Committee
Committee Description
- Provide ideas for IAFE members to share information on developing, increasing, and enhancing facility usage during non-fair time frames.
Chair: Lonna Breshears, IFMG, CFE – Western Idaho Fair
Staff Liaison: Steve Siever
Safety & Security – Education Program Committee
Committee Description
- The Safety and Security Committee features individuals from the events industry who are responsible for and/or interested in the safety and security of their events.
- The committee identifies topics, presenters, and panelists for discussion, workshops, and presentations at the IAFE Annual Convention, CyberSeminars, and other events.
- Assists with planning the annual Safety and Security Field Trip Experience.
- Monthly meetings include discussions of the latest incidents, providing attendees with resources, and identifying the newest technologies.
Chair: Buzz Buske – Coastal Carolina Fair, SC
Staff Liaison: Anna Wilson
Sponsorship – Education Program Committee
Committee Description
- Provides ideas for IAFE members to share information on matters related to sponsorship procurement and management.
- Innovation in Sponsorship Awards Contest – Recommends to staff the rules, categories, and procedures for the contest; encourages participation from member fairs and mentors fair members in the submission procedures; and encourages members to serve on the judging committee for the awards contests.
- Provides ideas for programming, activities, and networking for the IAFE’s Annual Convention.
Chair: Tawnia Linde, IFMG, CFE – Clark County Fair, WA
Staff Liaison: Missy McCormack
Strategic Planning for Fair Operations & Facilities – Education Program Committee
Committee Description
- Provide ideas for IAFE members to share information on common issues and challenges associated with planning, developing, and maintaining fairgrounds’ physical plant resources and funding ideas for the same.
Chair: Nate Gross – State Fair of Texas
Staff Liaison: Steve Siever
Technology – Education Program Committee
Committee Description
- Provide ideas for IAFE members to share information on matters related to technology.
- Members of this committee serve in a technology advisory capacity to the IAFE office and IAFE members.
- Consulting services can be requested of committee members.
- Want to know more about what the Technology Committee does? Click here.
Chair: Chris Weaver – San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
Staff Liaison: Kathy Hartley
Ticketing – Education Program Committee
Committee Description
- Stay abreast of ticketing trends.
- Identify ticketing topics for educational sessions.
Chair: Kristen Bright, IFMG, CFE – Tennessee Valley Fair
Staff Liaison: Andrea Simeone
Young Professionals Steering – Activity Committee
Committee Description
- Create networking and recruitment opportunities and activities for young (40 years and under) professionals in the Association to share information and ideas.
- Suggest programming for IAFE events and activities (Convention, Management Conference, Zone meetings) to involve and address young professionals’ educational interests and needs.
- Rising Star Award: Review nomination and selection procedures, rules, and eligibility criteria; provide recommendations to the Awards Committee and select two Steering Committee members to serve on the Rising Star Award selection panel.
- Members are selected for representation from the Zone and Associate member categories according to a specific protocol and serve for two years.
Chair: Jamie Jones – Grady County Fair, OK
Staff Liaison: Amy Listle