A Message from Director of Education, Lori Hart, CFE -

The Institute of Fair Management (IFM) continues to fuel the future of our industry and provide education and training for tomorrow’s leaders. When I joined the IAFE team, as the Education Director, I was excited to oversee the Institute of Fair Management program. Having spent 17 years in the Fair industry, I had always been intrigued by the program. WOW! I would highly recommend this program. Participants are afforded an industry education that not only develops their skillset and leadership capabilities but expands their “network”.

The 36-course program focuses on professional development in curriculum covering all aspects of fair management, risk management, marketing, programming, operations, and year-round facility usage.

Enrollees spend at least two years completing coursework via CyberSeminars, instructor-led, and self-paced workshops. We are excited that Emergency Planning (IFM #112), Insurance (IFM #112), Event Management (#300), Sponsorship II (#222), Food and Beverage (#142) , and Consumer Protection Program (#111) will be offered at the 2021 IAFE annual convention. Please join us! You do not have to be enrolled in the IFM to participate in the convention courses. And if you complete the course completion sheet, provided at the IFM courses, we will maintain record of your participation for two years. If you should enroll within two years of your course completion, you will receive credit for the course.

Since its inception in 2002, the IFM has graduated 307 individuals. The 2021 graduation ceremony will take place November 30 during the General Session in the Stars at Night Ballroom. We look forward to recognizing these deserving individuals. The celebration will continue Wednesday, December 1 at 3:30pm when we celebrate our IFM graduates and IFM alumni.

Many IFM graduates have continued their journey via the IFM Grad Track Program. The IFM certification tracks are specialized, continuing education programming for IFM graduates. Six tracks: Management, Entertainment Programming, Marketing and Promotions, Facilities Management, Leadership, and Sponsorship and Fundraising tracks are offered, two per year. In addition to the upper-level coursework, the enrollees work together on a targeted case study project. The 2020 Leadership team successfully developed a succession planning toolkit, available to all IAFE members, in the online library. We will be recognizing 13 Leadership Grad Track graduates at the General Session on Tuesday, November 30 and celebrating their accomplishments Wednesday, December 1 at 3:30pm.

Lastly, this program would not be possible without the support of the IAFE Education Foundation and the Agriculture Committee. Charitable contributions at the annual auction, Raising for A Reason championed by the Agriculture Committee, and suppor

t from folks at Fair Publishing House provide enrollees with world-class presenters and financial support through scholarships.

Let’s continue to stay #FAIRSTRONG and fuel our future with the Institute of Fair Management.