National Association of Fairs and Events

National Association of Fairs and Events
Name	National Association of Fairs and Events
Abbreviation	NAFE
Formation	1960s
Type	Trade association
Headquarters	United States
Region served	North America
Membership	State and county fairs, event producers, suppliers

National Association of Fairs and Events The National Association of Fairs and Events is a U.S.-based trade association serving state fairs, county fairs, exhibitions, and event professionals. Founded in the mid-20th century, the organization connects stakeholders from arenas such as the Iowa State Fair, Texas State Fair, Wisconsin State Fair and regional festivals like the Alaska State Fair to support best practices, safety standards, and industry sustainability. It operates alongside other sector organizations including the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, National FFA Organization, and Association of Zoos and Aquariums to influence policy, professional development, and standards for exhibitions and live entertainment.

History

The association emerged during a period of postwar expansion of regional exhibitions that included entities such as the New York State Fair, California State Fair, and Minnesota State Fair. Early leaders included fair managers who previously worked with organizations like the American Royal and the Royal Agricultural Society of England to professionalize agricultural shows and midways. Over decades it engaged with regulatory contexts shaped by statutes like the Occupational Safety and Health Act and worked with licensing frameworks exemplified by jurisdictions around the Louisiana State Penitentiary (as an unrelated administrative comparator) to develop standards for amusement rides and concessions. The group’s archives document collaborations with festival producers from Burning Man-adjacent event planners to county exhibition boards in states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.

Mission and Activities

The association’s mission emphasizes safety, education, and economic impact for fairs and events comparable to initiatives run by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Administration for small enterprises. It promotes operational guidelines similar to those advocated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for event crowd safety and incident response. Programs often mirror technical assistance provided by entities such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology and training partnerships reminiscent of collaborations between the American Red Cross and municipal emergency services in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Houston.

Membership and Structure

Members include state fair boards like Ohio Expo Center and State Fair, county fair associations such as those in Maricopa County, private event producers akin to organizers of the RodeoHouston and suppliers from companies supplying midways and concessions comparable to vendors at the National Restaurant Association trade shows. Governance typically features an elected board of directors reflecting leadership models found in the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Agricultural Library, with committees focused on finance, safety, education, and government relations paralleling structures in the National Governors Association. Regional representation aligns with patterns used by the United States Conference of Mayors and state-level associations including the California State Association of Counties.

Programs and Services

The association delivers professional certification, technical manuals, and safety audits comparable to credentialing programs by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and continuing education offerings akin to the American Bar Association Section programs. Training curricula cover topics treated by the National Safety Council and the Federal Emergency Management Agency—such as emergency action planning, ride inspection, and food safety practices observed in venues like the State Fair of Virginia and the Puyallup Fair. Member services include insurance pooling reminiscent of arrangements through the Risk Management Agency and marketing resources parallel to campaigns by the Travel Industry Association of America and the Convention Industry Council.

Events and Conferences

Annual conferences attract exhibitors, speakers, and vendors similar to gatherings hosted by the National Retail Federation and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. Sessions often examine case studies from major events including the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Sundance Film Festival, and legacy agricultural exhibitions such as the Royal Highland Show. Trade shows showcase equipment suppliers and entertainment acts comparable to presentations at the Live Nation marketplace and the Country Music Association Festival, while workshops cover topics influenced by standards from the American Society of Civil Engineers and legal briefings reflective of precedents set in courts in Washington, D.C..

Advocacy and Industry Impact

The association lobbies on issues affecting exhibition operations and event safety with strategies resembling advocacy by the National Restaurant Association and the American Bus Association. It partners with public health authorities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during disease outbreaks and coordinates with transportation agencies like the Federal Transit Administration on event traffic planning. Through research and economic impact studies, the organization documents contributions similar to reports issued by the Bureau of Economic Analysis and state tourism offices such as Visit Florida and Explore Minnesota, demonstrating fairs’ roles in local economies and cultural preservation as seen in celebrations like Mardi Gras and Oktoberfest.

Category:Trade associations based in the United States Category:Fairs