Association of Iowa Fairs

03/02/2026

WOW, what a great turnout from our Iowa Fairs in the NE District. Kudos to Ian Hill and Fairs.com for their investment in our Iowa Fairs.

Now that all six district meetings have been completed, it is time for our fair folks to get to work. Resources provided to our Fairs will help all grow the momentum and find new ways to grow our fairs and our communities.

The AIF views this initiative as an important tool for the fair industry in Iowa. Much time and effort went into this, and it is worth it in every way.

Along with the efforts of Ian Hill and Fairs.com we need to reach out with a big 'Thank You' to our six hosts of the district meetings. Great job done at all the meetings.

6th Stop. Full circle. Fired up!

Huge thank you to the Fayette County Fair - West Union, IA for hosting 120 leaders from 22 organizations for today’s finale of the Association of Iowa Fairs YMTD Tour and closing out two incredible weekends of connection and collaboration.

In just 6 stops, over 800 fair and community leaders gathered with one unified goal; to lean in, level up, and Make THE Difference where it matters most: at home.

This tour isn’t about meetings.
It is about momentum.
It is about uniting fairs around youth development, stronger communities, and modern systems that move us forward.

When 800 leaders align around purpose, communities feel it.

The YMTD initiative is bigger than any one stop — and together, we’re building the future of fairs and their rural communities.

03/01/2026

What a group for the NC District meeting this afternoon! Ian Hill hit it out of the park. The YMTD initiative is a great tool for our fair indutty in Iowa. Thanks to Fairs.com for their investment in our fairs in Iowa.

North Central Iowa — you showed up in a big way.

This afternoon’s Association of Iowa Fairs YMTD session brought together 120+ leaders from nearly 20 organizations — all in one room, sharing ideas, strengthening connections, and marching our fairs forward together.

When this many people lean in, ask questions, and collaborate, it’s a reminder of what makes this industry special: community first, always! We’re not just talking about modernization — we’re building it. We’re not just serving today — we’re investing in the Citizen of Tomorrow.

Huge thank you to Franklin County Fair & Convention Center, Hampton, IA for hosting and helping create the space for real momentum.

Next up — and our final AIF stop — Fayette County Fair - West Union, IA tomorrow. Let’s finish strong, Iowa.

02/28/2026

Great message!!

We had a powerful start to the day at the Association of Iowa Fairs YMTD Tour stop at the Cherokee County Fair

120 fair leaders representing 18 Iowa fairs gathered with one shared purpose — strengthening our fairs, deepening community connectiveness, and investing in the Citizen of Tomorrow. 🌟

When we come together like this, we’re not just planning events — we’re building leadership, opportunity, and a stronger future for our communities.

Thank you to Cherokee County for hosting and for your commitment to growing the next generation through Iowa fairs.

Next stop: Franklin County Fair & Convention Center, Hampton, IA this afternoon. Let’s keep building.

02/28/2026

Another full house at the NC District meeting this afternoon in Hampton. Ian Hill is on track with the You Make THE Difference initiative. Great tool for our Iowa Fairs ...

02/28/2026

Full house this morning at the NW District meeting featuring Ian Hill and the You Make THE Difference initiative... great message for our Fairs. Thanks to Fairs.com for sponsoring this program.

Looking forward to the NC meeting this afternoon and the NE meeting on Sunday.

02/16/2026

Half way thru our state wide tour. Great participation at all meetings .... two week break till the northern Iowa tour. Kudos to Ian Hill and Fairs.com.

West Liberty was the place to be today as the Association of Iowa Fairs YMTD tour rolled into Muscatine County Fair! An incredible turnout of fair leaders and advocates from across the SE Iowa region, all united in their commitment to strengthening their communities and Making THE Difference. The passion in the room was undeniable!

Thank you to Muscatine County for hosting such a fantastic event. Iowa fairs — there’s still time to register for the upcoming sessions in 2 weeks. Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of this movement!

02/15/2026

The SC District showed up big time for their workshop this afternoon. Wow... On to West Liberty tomorrow for the SE District meeting.

There should be no issue getting a table at your favorite restaurant in SC Iowa this Valentines Day because EVERYONE was at the Clarke County Fairgrounds & Event Center for this afternoon’s Iowa YMTD tour stop. Such commitment from these fair advocates as they invested their Saturday afternoon to unite and Make THE Difference in their communities! An outstanding encore meeting today organized by the Association of Iowa Fairs Thank you Clarke County Fair for being gracious and amazing hosts. Hey Hey Iowa, there’s still time to register for the upcoming sessions in 2 weeks. Don’t miss out!

02/14/2026

1st stop on our YMTD initiative. Great turnout in our SW District meeting this morning... Ian Hill delivered a stirring message to help our fairs grow and better serve their communities. Thank you to Fairs.com for their support of this critical initiative and to Ian Hill for taking time to guide us all ... thank you to Cass County Fair Board for hosting the meeting.

Packed house for the first Iowa YMTD tour stop this morning in IA. 70 fair directors from SW Iowa are united in their commitment to their communities and society. It is exciting to see the difference they will make to build community cohesiveness! Thank you Cass County Fair - Iowa for hosting this event in their beautiful community center. Association of Iowa Fairs recognized the need for this initiative to come to Iowa. Hey Iowa fairs, there is still time to register for the upcoming sessions across Iowa in 2 week

02/01/2026

You Make THE Difference: Strengthening the Future of Iowa Fairs ...

The Association of Iowa Fairs (AIF) is proud to announce that our state has been awarded a grant to bring the You Make THE Difference National Initiative to Iowa. This groundbreaking program was officially launched at the 2025 AIF Conference this past December, equipping fair boards and volunteers across the state with powerful tools, training, and inspiration to meet the challenges facing fairs today. Following the Conference, in-depth workshops will be taking place in February/March at six locations in Iowa, to accommodate involvement of its member Fairs.

What is You Make THE Difference?

At its heart, You Make THE Difference is about people. Created and led by award-winning humanitarian Ian Hill, the initiative exists because rural communities and fairs are facing real headwinds: aging leadership, fewer volunteers, and increasing demands with limited resources. Hill believes the future of fairs—and the communities they serve—rests not in distant institutions, but in everyday people who roll up their sleeves and say yes when their towns need them most.

The program provides practical strategies to recruit and inspire volunteers, strengthen leadership, and build long-term sustainability. It combines high-energy, face-to-face sessions with an innovative digital follow-up system that keeps support and resources flowing long after the workshop ends.

What the Grant Provides ...

Thanks to this grant, Iowa will receive the full benefits of the You Make THE Difference program at no cost to AIF or our member fairs. The grant includes:

• A statewide training tour that will bring in-person workshops directly to fair boards across Iowa.

• Access to a digital training platform and mobile app with videos, guides, and on-demand tools for ongoing support.

This blended approach ensures fairs receive immediate, hands-on training and long-term reinforcement to sustain new practices and ideas.

Why It Matters for Iowa...

Fairs in Iowa are more than events. They are vital community institutions—part of the cultural fabric of our state—that showcase agriculture, provide opportunities for youth, and bring generations together. Yet many fairs are facing challenges in volunteer recruitment, financial pressures, and leadership fatigue.

The You Make THE Difference initiative is designed to meet these needs head-on. By equipping local boards with practical tools and ongoing support, the program helps ensure fairs remain strong, resilient, and relevant for decades to come. This isn’t just about sustaining fairs—it’s about empowering the people who make them possible.

Iowa has a proud tradition of fairs, and this grant is an investment in their future. Together, with You Make THE Difference, we can honor that tradition while building the capacity to thrive in the 21st century.

To learn more, visit www.youmakethedifference.com.

Click on the video link to view a message from Ian Hill, as he outlines the initiative.

This grant is made possible through the generous support of Fairs.com.

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12/25/2025

10/21/2025

The numbers are in — and they’re big. 💰
According to a new report from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE), fairs and fairgrounds generate over $52 billion in annual economic impact across the U.S.

Beyond the rides and ribbons, fairs are economic powerhouses — driving tourism, supporting local vendors, creating jobs, and fueling agricultural programs that keep rural communities thriving year-round.

Every funnel cake, concert ticket, and livestock show adds up to something much bigger: a stronger local economy and a more connected community.

📊 Learn more: https://vist.ly/4az8i

10/11/2025

The 2025 AIF Conference schedule (preliminary) has been uploaded to the AIF website. Link to the schedule can be found on the 2025 Conference page under the 'Meetings' menu...

Find the dates and information for the Association of Iowa Fairs conference & annual meeting, board meetings, and district meetings.