The second day of the IAFE Convention and trade show was another day packed with educational programming, trade show booths and showcases.  The halls were filled with vendors eager to do business with the fairs and events of the US.  There were many ticket vendors, software programs of all types and a few new vendors for attendees to interact with.

A lot of sadness however hovered over the festivities as this is to be Marla Calico's, the President and CEO of the IAFE, swan song.  Calico said she was pleased with the event in Phoenix, the last convention under her leadership.  She said her team left Springfield, MO, the organization's headquarters, with the most badges since the 2018 convention. “Energy was off the top,”said Calico of the event.  “Our first time exhibitors were so excited and our education sessions were packed.”

Exhibitors were given the opportunity, for a fee, of being able to give talks and presentations in a more open format to event goers.

Calico, who is a past chair of the organization and a Hall of Fame inductee, is going to be taking some time off for a vacation after her retirement and has no specific plans at this time for work after her retirement.

Calico made her mark on the IAFE, especially with the implementation of education and certification of new fair executives and her legacy will be felt well into the future.  While she is retiring, her work is not yet fully completed.  Calico had 2 remaining projects left for the IAFE before leaving.  The first was a collection of data she made on CEO compensation that will be used to guide the organization with future leaders.  The second is still a secret and will be announced before the convention's end in her farewell speech.

Calico was shepherding the IAFE's new Chairman and CEO, David Grindle, through the show while also saying goodbye to long time friends, taking selfies with all who asked.  

Grindle, who has a strong theatre, music and non-profit background, does not have fair management experience but did grow up on a dairy farm and near the New York State Fair in Syracuse.    

Calico interviewed Grindle about his background and experience in a recorded conversation for the IAFE that can be heard on the organization's website.

Next year's IAFE convention will be held in Denver, CO, once again on the weekend after Thanksgiving.  The website should be updated for the 2025 convention in the near future.  Details for the location of the 2026 will also be revealed in the coming months.  

 

Amusements of America signs Delta Fair

Mark Lovell, the manager of the the Delta Fair and Music Festival in Memphis, announced he would be bringing back Amusements of America to run the midway for the fair.  A of A works with Lovell on his Georgia State Fair just south of Atlanta.  The carnival and fair producer have had a long time relationship, working on a number of events, and Lovell is looking forward to A of A helping to growing the midway in Memphis.

The Delta Fair was formerly played by Belle City Amusements, who recently sold their Florida route and some select rides to Deggeller Attractions.

For A of A, the fair replaces the dates of the Upper SC State Fair in Greenville, whose fairgrounds were recently sold.

 

Marketspread

Blake Rouse of Marketspread was on hand at the convention to spread word about his company's booth tracking and management software.  The software gives fair management the ability to to schedule and manage vendors, from placement and location to payments and documents.

Documents like insurance can be integrated into the system along with details like booth specs.  

The company calls the software VRM, short for Vendor Relations Management.

Users are able to email or send SMS messages to vendors through the system.  Items like mapping can be integrated, including interactive maps.  The maps can be used both by the public for locating vendors on grounds and for vendors to locate and reserve their spaces. The software can be used for spaces both large and small.

ID Vend is especially proud of its mobile app, which can be used to do invoicing, make payments and give receipts.  The company started with farmer's markets and later flea markets and is now taking larger events such as fairs and festivals.  They have picked up an Art Fair in Williamsburg, VA, and the Maryland State Fair as clients.

Rouse said the IAFE show has been “great” and is looking forward to expanding more in the fair and festival market.

 

ID Vend 

“It was a really good show,” said Mario Irizarry of new vendor ID Vend.  The company is a ticketing and vending app, using RFID technology for admission and other types of tickets.  The company has a mobile App packed with technology.  One unique feature for events is the ability to move people around the grounds by playing a Pokémon Go-type game on the App.  By visiting different areas of an event, users can pick up credits and tokens to be redeemed as prizes using proximity sensors.  Data gained from the App can be used for current or future marketing efforts.

Using push notifications, messages can be sent to current attendees, alerting them of sale opportunities or upcoming events. And programs.

Perhaps the most unique feature of the ID Vend technology is the integration of ID Verification technology on both the vending machines and the App.

Guests simply go to the kiosk and look into the camera.  The technology can determine if the guest looks underage and then may ask for ID to scan.  The purchased product is then vended to the customer.

On the App, you register to buy the product then scan your ID  or use Age Verification software.  Verification comes when you take a selfie so it can be matched to the scanned ID.

ID Vend holds much promise for ticketing and ID verification for the fair industry.

 

As guests left the trade show floor today, most vendors reported doing well with fairs eager again to purchase and generally optimistic about the coming year.  There was much hope for a successful 2025 and discussions and learning at the conference next year in Denver under the leadership of David Grindle.