IAFE Marketing Awards

Along with the Agriculture Awards, we also took 1st place in five marketing / communication divisions. Kranzler Kingsley, our advertising agency, created the look and ad copy for each of the categories we won. Kranzler Kingsley has some of the best talent at their agency and they excel in every project they take on! Kranzler Kingsley creates all of the promotional material for the Fair from print, radio, TV, online and even social media, they do it all! The following awards were presented to NDSF at the 2008 IAFE Convention December 17th, 2008.

1. Newspaper Ad - Black and White
2. Newspaper Ad - Color Print
3. Printed Promotional Material - Brochure
4. e-Newsletter
5. Web Site

IAFE Agriculture Awards

In August 2008 we began reviewing and recapping the '08 Fair. Also during that time we submitted several of the Fair's activities to the IAFE Agriculture Awards. This year we won 5 Agriculture awards as well as a "Best in Division Award." Kristie, the Fair's Competitive Exhibits Director, accepted the award. For each of these awards we competed against Fairs that are our size and are located throughout North America. The 2008 Agriculture Awards we took first place in included:

1. Program for Competitive Agriculture Exhibitors
2. Agriculture Program for Non- Agriculture Fairgoing Public
3. Overall Program for Commercial Agriculture Exhibitors
4. Green Program - Water Day

We also received a 3rd place award for our Daily Schedules. The awards were presented at the annual IAFE Convention in Las Vegas December 16.

Entertainment at IAFE

It's getting down to crunch time and we really need to finish booking our talent for the free stages at the ND State Fair. While at the IAFE Convention we learned that the majority of entertainers and shows have been booked for 2009. Luckily we found some really crazy and freaky entertainers who are still available, one being Russ Leno a sand sculptor who is most notably known for his pumpkin carving abilities. He is a really nice down to earth kind of guy who can carve just about anything out of a pumpkin (see pic). Another act featured within the same talent agency is John Shaw, who in our office we call the "Freak Guy." John can put a corn kernal up his nose and have it come out of his eye. He performs magic and illusions with lots of audience participation. I think it would be a great act for the Flickertail Beer Gardens. Click this link to see some of his most notable stunts.

IAFE Convention

The ND State Fair staff spent last week in Las Vegas attending the International Association of Fairs and Exposition (IAFE) 118th Annual Conference. We mingled with nearly 3,500 other employees who work for and organize Fairs and Rodeo's throughout North America. The most valuable aspect of the conference were the workshops and round table discussions. They allowed us to learn how we can make the North Dakota State Fair stronger and more enjoyable for our attendees. There was also a large trade show where we could check out entertainers for our free stages and get information on new products and services that are provided within the industry. As you can see we also got to meet some pretty cool people from other Fairs.

Proposed North Dakota State Fair Grandstand

Last week Governor Hoeven released his budget , within it he supported the North Dakota State Fair by allocating $17 million for the construction of a new Grandstand facility. The current grandstand is home to the Fair’s concerts and motor events’ it also hosts fans for the Nodak Speedway races. Growing demand and a deteriorating infrastructure has presented many maintenance challenges. Therefore the State Fair Board is looking to build a new grandstand facility. A new grandstand for the State Fair is critical in maintaining the numbers necessary for future success and growth. For this reason, strong, vocal support for a new grandstand must come from all fairgoers. A new grandstand facility will attract more premiere events, better accommodate spectators and provide for a better overall experience. Help us bring a new grandstand to the North Dakota State Fair by contacting your legislators!

ND State Fair Gift Certificates Now Available!

You've been asking for it and now gift certificates for the North Dakota State Fair are available! Gift certificates can be purchased in any dollar amount and can only be used for the purchase of advanced Mega Ride, Grandstand Showpass, Family Fun Pack and gate admission tickets prior to July 1st. Gift certificates can be purchased throughout the year at the ND State Fair Office in Minot, or over the phone by calling 701-852-FAIR.

Grandstand Continued

There are many variables to booking an artist: First we need to see who is actually touring. Just because an artist is in the spotlight doesn't mean they are touring or performing concerts. Once we find an act that is touring the next factor is routing. It works best to find an artist who is already playing within this area of the country. If our Fair routes with their tour we are more likely to get that artist. The tricky part is that we aren't very flexible on dates they can perform since our Fair only runs for 9 days. 9 out of 365 doesn't leave us with too many options! The final aspect is the cost. Artists can range from $40,000 to over a million dollars for one performance. Needless to say we wouldn't be able to purchase 9 nights of entertainment if we spend over 1 million on just one act! We just received confirmation on our first performer, and he's really gonna rock the Fair!