PHOENIX, Ariz. — The 2024 edition of the International Association of Fairs and Expos (IAFE) Convention & Trade Show was held Dec. 1-4, 2024, at the Phoenix Convention Center.
The show — which provides education and networking for professionals from agricultural (state and county) fairs and the businesses that support them around the world — was sold out this year. It saw an increase in exhibitors by 11.1% over 2023, which resulted in an increase in net square feet sold of 3,400 (11.7%).
“The increase can be attributed to the continued rebound of the event industry, which was severely impacted by the pandemic,” Steve Siever, Director of Sales at IAFE, said. “In addition, the fair business as a whole continues to offer a value proposition to fair guests. Community celebrations thrive in times of economic uncertainty. We continue to see fairs nationwide and beyond reporting good numbers when weather does not make an impact.”
The event’s theme was “Building on Strong Foundations” this year and it utilized scaffolding, caution tape, brick wall graphics and orange cones in its décor. Also, the show’s Program Committee wore personalized safety vests and hard hats.
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IAFE Convention & Trade Show welcomed Fairs.com as the sponsor of its new Connections & Coffee networking sessions, informal discussions that were held every morning of the convention where industry professionals with similar job titles and interests could gather, along with exhibitors and association members.
“Sponsors are critical to the success of the IAFE Convention & Trade Show. Our number of sponsors has remained steady, around the 35 total mark; however, revenues increased by over 20% this year. I believe that indicates the value proposition of reaching qualified buyers is very strong,” Marla Calico, CFE, President & CEO of IAFE, said.
For the first time, the show held a Street Party outside of the convention center, sponsored by Ray Cammack Shows, Saffire and the Outdoor Amusement Business Association, which included a Ferris Wheel, carnival games, food and beverages, and more than a dozen entertainment offerings.
The event chose Phoenix as its 2024 location during an extensive search and RFP process held in 2019, which identified sites for the event from 2022 to 2025.
“Phoenix easily rose to the top for multiple reasons,” Calico said. The city’s great airfare rates and drivability for the show’s past attendees (many of which are based in Las Vegas and Southern California), strong local support from the Arizona State Fair and Ray Cammack Shows (which is based on Arizona), affordability and weather were factors that attracted IAFE.
Next year, the event will be held in Denver from Nov. 30-Dec. 3 and have a “Journey to the Top” theme.
“The theme … will resonate not only because of the picturesque location, but also with the four pillars the planning committee has chosen to guide them: International, Network, Tradition and Mentorship,” Calico said. “The attendee profile for the Convention has changed significantly since 2018, with a much younger — skewed toward female — and more diverse attendee. That drives interest in seeing sights, perhaps bringing family and extending either side for personal time. Denver will hit all those key points.”
Learn more about IAFE here.
