SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE), in partnership with the IAFE Education Foundation and with generous contributions from its valued partners, has awarded $49,963 in scholarships and grants to help fair professionals attend the 2026 IAFE Convention & Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky.
A total of 69 scholarships and grants were awarded, including 42 awards totaling $29,063 through IAFE and 27 awards totaling $20,900 through the IAFE Education Foundation.
Recipients were selected based on the eligibility requirements and criteria established for each award.
“Investing in the education and professional development of fair professionals is an investment in the future of our industry,” said David Grindle, IAFE President and CEO. “We are grateful to the IAFE Education Foundation and the generous organizations and individuals who make these opportunities possible. These scholarships and grants help more members attend Convention, gain new knowledge, and bring valuable ideas back to their fairs and organizations.”
2026 IAFE Scholarship & Grant Recipients —
The Coca-Cola Company First Timers Grant:
- Lori Page, Montgomery County Fair, OH
- Brooke Krips, Pocahontas County Fair, IA
- Nathan Matter, Ozaukee County Fair, WI
- Ryan Cash, Pulaski County Fair, KY
- Jarrod Snell, Wayne County Fair, OH
- Jeff Tompkins, Lindsay Exhibition, ON
- Kami Edmonds, Redwood Acres, CA
- Chad Caldwell, Bangor State Fair, ME
- Mary Jo Strong, Hemlock Fair, NY
The Coca-Cola Company Travel Grant:
- John Damme, Kansas State Fair
- Morgan Lutgen, Canyon County Fair, ID
- Randy Axelson, Sherburne County Fair, MN
- Chantal Zorad, Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show, ON
- Molly Johnsen, Adams County Fair, NE
Zone 1 Young Professionals First Time to Convention Grant:
- Mickenzee Prentiss, Skowhegan State Fair, ME
- Nicolina Foti, Saratoga County Fair, NY
Zone 2 Fairs of the Future Grant:
- Jody Edwards, Cabarrus County Fair, NC
Zone 3 Young Professionals First Time to Convention Grant:
- Jarrod Snell, Wayne County Fair, OH
- Korrin Lilly, Medina County Fair, OH
Zone 3 First Time to Convention Grant:
- Mark Jacobs, Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show, ON
- Chantal Zorad, Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show, ON
Zone 4 Young Professionals First Time to Convention Grant:
- Terese Radke, Wisconsin State Fair
- Lyrica Marks, Crawford County Fair, WI
Zone 4 Young Professionals to Convention Grant
- Kari Schoenike, Wisconsin State Fair
- Casie Wiese, Wisconsin State Fair
Zone 4 First Time to Convention Grant
- Pat Immel, Fond du Lac County Fair, WI
- Bianca Harden, Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural Societies and Exhibitions
Zone 4 to Convention Grant
- Jody Brzezinski, Ozaukee County Fair, WI
- Trista Beise, Wright County Fair, MN
Zone 4 MVP Convention Grant
- Candi Briley, South Dakota State Fair
Zone 5 Young Professionals First Time to Convention Grant
- Brooklin Border, Iowa State Fair
- Garrett Huddleston, Kansas State Fair
Zone 5 First Time to Convention Grant
- John Damme, Kansas State Fair
- Janet Enck, Nebraska State Fair
Zone 6 Young Professionals to Convention Grant
- Macey Hawkins, Trousdale County Fair, TN
- Grace Hoffman, Trousdale County Fair, TN
- Alexandra Philbrick, Cleveland County Fair, OK
Zone 7 to Convention Grant
- Morgan Lutgen, Canyon County Fair, ID
- Amanda Worthington, Jerome County Fair & Rodeo, ID
Zone 8 Young Professionals to Convention Grant
- Madison Powell, Oregon State Fair
Zone 8 to Convention Grant
- Darrell Hansen, Oregon State Fair
2026 IAFE Education Foundation Scholarship & Grant Recipients —
IAFE Education Foundation Travel Grant
- Brenda White Vaughn, Chesterfield County Fair, VA
- Lisa Turner, Georgia Fairs Association
- Sam Verret, Jerome County Fair & Rodeo, ID
- Michael Nelson, Franklin County Fair, MA
- Amanda Koch, El Dorado County Fair, CA
- Ryan Patton, Kansas State Fair
- Jenni Axelson, Sherburne County Fair, MN
- Brooke Krips, Pocahontas County Fair, IA
- Alissa Belna-Muhlenkamp, Ohio State Fair
- Raine Hentges, Sherburne County Fair, MN
Friends of the Foundation Grant
- Amanda Koch, El Dorado County Fair, CA
Fair Publishing House Scholarship
- Daniel May, Wayne County Fair, IA
- Julie Rohr, Saratoga County Fair, NY
- Angela Berry, Central Wyoming Fairgrounds
Etix Scholarship
- Daniel May, Wayne County Fair, IA
- Angie Hornby, Vernon County Fair, WI
- Julie Rohr, Saratoga County Fair, NY
- Hannah O’Hara, The Delaware State Fair
- Vanessa Brinkley, North Idaho State Fair
- Kristine Smith, Dakota County Fair, MN
Bob Williams Memorial Scholarship
- Abbi Huber, Wisconsin State Fair
Rhonda Livingstone “Dream Big” Memorial Scholarship
- DaNell Jamieson, St. Croix County Fair, WI
Darwin Fuchs Memorial Scholarship
- Jenni Axelson, Sherburne County Fair, MN
Florida Federation of Fairs Grant
- Florance Thompson, South Florida Fair
Young Professionals Road to Convention Grant sponsored by Noise New Media
- Emily Mars, Clay County Fair, IA
The Fair Chick Grant
- Kristie Beals, Saratoga County Fair, NY
Cosner Agricultural Grant
- William Wood, Park County Fair, WY
The 2026 IAFE Convention & Trade Show, themed A Story Worth Telling, will take place November 29-December 3. The annual event brings together fair professionals and industry partners from around the world to learn, connect, and share ideas and best practices.
