State Fair earns honors for marketing

The South Carolina State Fair has been named a multiple award winner for its 2018 promotional campaign by the International Association of Fairs and Expositions.

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The fair received four first-place awards in the IAFE’s Hall of Honor Communications competition, including the overall Judges Creative Award for its roving ticket booth, FRED. These first also included the fair’s website, best marketing campaign and miscellaneous marketing/promotional display (for FRED) among fairs in the same attendance category.

The awards were presented during the final general session of the 128th annual IAFE convention this past November in San Antonio, Texas.

“We are delighted to be recognized among other fairs in our industry,” said State Fair general manager, Nancy Smith. “This is a reflection of all the great things there are to promote in South Carolina, and we share this recognition with the entire state.”

The IAFE is a voluntary, nonprofit corporation, serving state, provincial, regional, and county agricultural fairs, shows, exhibitions, and expositions. It represents more than 1,100 fairs worldwide and more than 900 members from related fields.

The Hall of Honor Communications contest received 800 entries, showcasing an array of promotional tactics used at fairs across the world. The South Carolina State Fair competed in Division 3, which includes fairs with annual attendance of more than 250,000 up to 500,000.

Entries are judged based upon predetermined criteria established by IAFE committees. Judges include industry professionals from within and outside the IAFE.

“The IAFE Hall of Honor Communications contest provides fairs with a unique collaboration experience, allowing them to critique promotional materials in an effort to continue strengthening marketing campaigns at fairs internationally,” said Lori Hart, association director of education and member services.

The 150th South Carolina State Fair will run Oct. 9-20 in Columbia, and the fair will have a variety of special initiatives and programming leading up to this year’s special anniversary event.

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