Clay County Fair & Events Center Receives International Recognition
SPENCER, Iowa — Returning to IAFE competition for the first time in several years, the Clay County Fair & Events Center came back strong in 2025, earning three awards — including the coveted Best of Division honor — during the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) Virtual Awards Show on November 20.
This marks the Fair’s second Best of Division award, and its first in the Commercial Exhibits & Concessions contest. The Fair earned the distinction for Best Overall Commercial Exhibits & Concessions Award in Division 3, recognized specifically for its vendor recognition initiatives. The Fair last received a Best of Division award in 2022 for excellence in agriculture.
“Winning a Best of Division award is an incredible honor, and earning our second one, this time in a brand-new contest category, makes it even more meaningful,” said Jason Brockshus, CEO of the Clay County Fair & Events Center. “These awards reflect our commitment to excellence, our passion for creating remarkable experiences, and the hard work of our board, staff, vendors, partners, and volunteers. We’re proud to bring this recognition home to a community that supports the Fair year after year.”
Awards received by the Clay County Fair & Events Center include:
- Commercial Exhibits & Concessions Awards — Best of Division Three
- Commercial Exhibits & Concessions Awards, Category Four: Vendor Recognition — “The World’s Greatest County Fair” Foods Contest (First Place)
- Non-Fair Facility Usage, Category 1A: Successful Non-Fair Event (produced or co-produced by facility staff) — 2025 Bulls & Brews, co-produced by Raise ‘Em Rank (Third Place)
The recognition is especially notable as 2025 was the inaugural year of the Commercial Exhibits & Concessions contest, making the Fair one of the first-ever Best of Division recipients in the new category.
The IAFE awards program allows member fairs to enter competitions across communications, agriculture, competitive exhibits, sponsorships, non-fair facility usage, and commercial exhibits and concessions. Entries are judged on predetermined criteria set by IAFE committees. Judges include industry professionals both within and outside of the association. Member fairs are split into five divisions based on attendance. The Clay County Fair competes in Division 3, representing fairs with attendance between 250,001 and 500,000.
Award winners from the 2025 contests will also be recognized during the 2025 IAFE Annual Convention, scheduled for Nov. 30–Dec. 4 in Denver, Colorado.
About the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE)
The IAFE, based in Springfield, MO, is a voluntary nonprofit organization that supports agricultural fairs, shows, exhibitions, and expositions at the state, provincial, regional, and county levels. Its associate members include state and provincial associations of fairs, as well as non-agricultural expositions and festivals. Additionally, the organization collaborates with associations, corporations, and individuals who provide products and services to its members, all to enhance fairs, shows, expositions, and related fields. For more information, visit www.fairsandexpos.com.
About The Clay County Fair & Events Center
Rooted in Tradition, the Clay County Fair and Events Center is a year-round facility that annually hosts more than 300 events, including its signature event, the Clay County Fair. Known as “The World’s Greatest County Fair” since 1917, the Clay County Fair attracts more than 300,000 guests each September for nine days of world-class entertainment, competition, food, fun, and the largest farm machinery show at any fair in the United States. Additional information can be found at www.claycountyfair.com.
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