The International Association of Fairs and Expos

Name

The International Association of Fairs and Expos

Legal name

International Association of Fairs and Expositions

Website

https://fairsandexpos.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1885

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

General Consumer Expos & Trade Shows (MPAGAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Professional & Certification Expos Organizers (THAHABAD), Local Community & Multi-Category Fairs (MPAGAFAO), Fairgrounds & Expo Parks (THAHAAAH)

Keywords

• Agricultural fairs association
• Trade association membership
• Convention trade show
• Professional certification programs
• Industry networking events

Headquarters

HQ city

Springfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from fair members, associate members, affiliates, state/provincial associations, and students form the core revenue stream. Fair dues are scaled by attendance (ranging from $135 for fairs under 25,000 attendance to $2,005 for fairs over 1,000,000).
2. Convention Registration: Registration fees for annual convention and trade show, including multi-day passes at early bird ($495), advance ($575), and regular ($675) pricing tiers. Additional fees for special events like Wagons & Whiskey fundraiser.
3. Educational Programs and Certifications: Fees for Institute of Fair Management (IFM) certification courses, CPP workshops, and other educational programming including the IFM Summit.
4. Trade Show Exhibitor Fees: Trade show booth sales for the annual convention, with member pricing at $1,300 per 10'x10' space and non-member pricing at $1,550.
5. Magazine Advertising: Revenue from advertising in Fairs & Expos magazine, published six times per year, including display ads and promotional placements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

The International Association of Fairs and Expos (IAFE) is a not-for-profit trade association founded in 1885 that serves agricultural fairs, shows, exhibitions, and expositions through tiered membership programs (Fair, Associate, Affiliate, State/Provincial, Student), an annual convention and trade show, the Institute of Fair Management (IFM) professional certification program, virtual and in-person educational programming such as CyberSeminars and the Consumer Protection Program (CPP), and the bi-monthly Fairs & Expos industry magazine.

Product overview

The International Association of Fairs and Expos (IAFE) is a membership-based trade association, not a technology company. It does not offer a unified software product or platform architecture. Instead, IAFE provides a portfolio of member services centered around professional development, industry events, educational programming, and publications. Key offerings include IAFE Membership (with tiered categories for fairs, associates, and students), the Annual IAFE Convention & Trade Show, the Institute of Fair Management (IFM) certification program, CyberSeminars (virtual educational webinars), the Consumer Protection Program (CPP), Fairs & Expos Magazine, IAFE Awards Programs, Zone Meetings, Young Professionals Events, and the Resource Library & Toolkits. These services are delivered through in-person events, online platforms, publications, and member portal access rather than a software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction at Wisconsin State Fair raised $405,036 for Wisconsin youth in agriculture
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• National Independent Concessionaires Association (NICA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 August 2026Joint Read and Win program encouraging elementary school children to read books, with ribbons provided by IAFE and NICA and vouchers for fair admission, midway rides, and concessions provided by member fairs.
• Coca-ColaflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Titanium-level sponsor of the 2026 IAFE Convention and Trade Show, providing significant financial and marketing support for the annual industry gathering.
• Connections HousingcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Official housing vendor for IAFE managing all convention hotel reservations to ensure best rates and smoother experience for attendees. IAFE warns against unauthorized housing companies.
• Fern ExpocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2026Official show decorator and drayage firm for the IAFE Trade Show, responsible for freight handling, booth setup, labor coordination, and shipping logistics at the annual convention.
• Levy (Food Service)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2026Exclusive food and beverage service provider for the Kentucky International Convention Center, required for any cooking or food service demonstrations during the Trade Show.
• Kentucky International Convention CentercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2026Official venue for the 2026 IAFE Convention and Trade Show, located in Louisville, KY, providing meeting space, exhibit halls, and convention facilities.
• Dr. Stephen Neel / Technical Solutions InternationalTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Expert consultation and content development partner for the Consumer Protection Program (CPP), helping fairs understand enteric pathogens and implement proper protocols for animal areas.
• Miss America OrganizationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026New partnership announced between Chowchilla-Madera County Fair and Miss America Organization, launching enhanced Miss Madera County Scholarship Program.
• McGowan Allied InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Insurance advertiser and partner providing insurance products and services to IAFE members, featured in Fairs & Expos magazine and website advertising.
• Haas & Wilkerson InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Insurance advertiser and partner offering insurance solutions for fair industry, featured in Fairs & Expos magazine and website advertising.
• Clover FiservminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Point-of-sale and payment processing partner advertising to IAFE members through Fairs & Expos magazine and website.
• IAFE Education FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026501(c)(3) organization established in 2002 to support advancement and improvement of agricultural fairs, expositions, and shows through fundraising, educational, charitable, research, and literacy activities. Hosts Wagons & Whiskey fundraiser at convention.
• National Endowment for the ArtsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 August 2025Funding partner supporting the IAFE Education Foundation's America 250 Art Initiative, commissioning rural artists to create art around 'Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness' theme.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA): Global trade association for the amusement and attractions industry, including fairs. Larger, broader portfolio serving theme parks, attractions, and fairs with overlapping membership and convention programming.
• Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA): Larger, broader professional association for the convention and meetings industry. Comparable as a peer organization delivering certification, education, and an annual convention for events professionals.
• International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE): Global association for exhibition and event organizers, producing the annual Expo! Expo! trade show. Comparable as a peer trade association organizing an annual convention and trade show for exhibition industry professionals.

Direct peers

• Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO): Industry group for independent exhibition organizers. Comparable as a peer association serving organizers of trade shows and exhibitions with education, networking, and advocacy programs.
• International Live Events Association (ILEA): Trade association for live event professionals and suppliers. Comparable as a peer association serving event organizers with education, certification, and an annual gathering model similar to IAFE's.
• Western Fairs Association (WFA): Regional trade association serving fairs primarily in the western United States. Directly comparable to IAFE as a peer industry association for agricultural fairs, with its own Hall of Fame, Barham Award, and member services referenced in IAFE data.
• Federation of State and Provincial Associations of Fairs: Coalition of state and provincial fair associations with representation on IAFE's board. Comparable as a member-driven umbrella organization serving the same agricultural fair membership base.
• National Independent Concessionaires Association (NICA): Trade association for independent concessionaires serving fairs and events. Partnered with IAFE on the Read & Win literacy program; directly comparable as a peer association serving the fair vendor ecosystem.
• Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA): Trade association for the outdoor amusement industry, including carnival midway operators serving fairs. Directly comparable as an association serving fair-adjacent industries with overlapping convention and member service models.
• Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions (CAFE): National association for fairs and exhibitions across Canada, with a Zone7 representative on IAFE's board. Operates an equivalent member-services, advocacy, and education model for Canadian fairs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/iafenetwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iafe-thenetwork
• Instagraminstagram.com/iafe_the_network
• Xx.com/iafe

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The International Association of Fairs and Expos