Del Mar CA—The 2019 San Diego County Fair recently claimed 30 awards from the Western Fairs Association (WFA) and 11 awards from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE). The numerous accolades garnered illustrate San Diego County Fair’s innovative spirit and leadership throughout the fair industry internationally.
“We are honored to receive this level of recognition from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions and the Western Fairs Association,” said Katie Mueller, Deputy General Manager of the Del Mar Fairgrounds. “Each year we make it our mission to put on the best Fair possible, and these awards are a testament to our team’s commitment to continually raise the bar.”
The San Diego County Fair is the largest Fair in the State of California, and the sixth largest Fair in North America, drawing more than 1.5 million visitors annually.
The following 2019 honors were awarded to the San Diego County Fair:
WFA Achievement Awards
The Western Fairs Association, founded in 1922 and incorporated in 1945, is a nonprofit trade association serving the fair industry throughout the western United States and Canada.
First place:
- TV Ad Series
- Foreign Language Single TV Ad
- Foreign Language Single Radio Ad
- Printed Marketing Campaign
- Cultural Marketing Campaign
- Give it your Best Shot – Carnival Photo
- Fair Program/Schedule
- Fair Pocket Program/Schedule
- New Innovative Use of Technology (Exhibits) Livestock Show Ring Camera
- Volunteer Program: High School Seniors
- Recruitment/Retention Program: Ambassador Program
Second place:
- Theme Program
- Advertising Campaign
- Give it your Best Shot – Exhibits
- Give it your Best Shot – People
- Fair Logo
- Year-round Logo
- Special Event Logo
- New Innovative Use of Technology (Marketing)
- New Community Outreach Program Community Leaders Survey
- New Exhibits Competition Pawsome Dog Portrait Contest
- Foreign Language Printed Marketing Campaign
- Inspiring Collaborations: War on the Shore Strongman Competition
- Fair-Time Innovative Marketing Strategy
Third place:
- Single TV Ad
- Radio Ad Series
- Outdoor Ad Campaign
- New Sponsorship Program: Electric Cars
- Crisis Management
- New Innovative Use of Technology (Fair Patron) Funpass
IAFE Awards
The IAFE represents more than 1,100 fairs throughout the world and promotes the development and improvement of agricultural fairs, shows and expositions.
First place:
- New Single Class of Non-Animal Competitive Exhibits
- Use of Theme Throughout Multiple Divisions of Competitive Exhibits
- Create it on the Spot
- Participatory Contest
Second place:
- New Contest to Attract Competitive Exhibitors
- New Method to Attract New Competitive Exhibitors
- Fair Activity to Increase Awareness of Competitive Exhibits
- Competitive Exhibit Display – Single Photo
- General Display at your Fair – Single Photo
Third place:
- Competitive Exhibit Display Method/Prop
- Unique Partnership