Employees from Eastern States Exposition (ESE), led by ESE President and CEO Gene Cassidy, traveled to Denver, Colo., for the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) Convention and Trade Show, November 29 through December 4. The contingent returned to the fairgrounds in West Springfield, Mass., with awards for photography, innovation and communication as well as graduate certificates.
IAFE is a voluntary, not-for-profit corporation that serves state, provincial, regional and county agricultural fairs, shows, exhibitions and expositions. Its associate members include adjacent events and organizations that are interested in improving fairs and allied fields. The annual IAFE Convention and Trade Show is the largest event in the global fair industry and brings together individuals from events of all sizes. Attendees learn, share ideas, network and explore a unique trade show experience.
The Agriculture department won two awards for items submitted to the IAFE following The Big E 2025. A candid image taken by Joe Desrosiers of West Springfield, Mass., of a young exhibitor, Paisley Stahoski of N.J., smiling proudly while showing her Hereford cow took home the prize for 2025 Agricultural Awards in Category 8A: Agriculture Individual Photo, Livestock (Not Equine). The second item, which won 2025 Competitive Exhibits in Category 4: Display Method and/or Prop, was rechargeable lighting for display cases used to show canning products in the New England Center for creative arts during The Big E 2025.
The Marketing department won a 2025 Hall of Honor Communication Award in Category 5: Souvenirs and Commemorative Items, for a t-shirt featuring a commemorative poster design by LA-based artist Ashley Dreyfus. The poster features an eclectic bunch of anthropomorphic barnyard animals enjoying a groovy, 1970s-style fair scene with a bubbly font characteristic of the “Big Mood” campaign selected for the Fair in 2025. The graphic was incorporated into a t-shirt design by the Fair's official merchandise partner, TSMGI.
Christine Byrne, ESE Chief Financial Officer, and Mackenzie Coburn, ESE Sponsorship Sales Manager, were both recognized by the IAFE Education Foundation for milestones achievements through the Institute of Fair Management (IFM). The mission of the IFM is to help with the professional development of employees and volunteers of the IAFE’s member fairs and expositions. The IFM provides education and training, building core competency and event management skills. To complete an IFM educational track, an enrollee must attend classes at various regional meetings, international conventions and cyberseminars for course credit.
Byrne has just become an Institute of Fair Management Graduate (IFMG). Coburn previously earned her IFMG title. This year she earned a certificate for completing the IFM Management Track, which is one of six specialized continuing education tracks available exclusively to the IFMG.
The IFMG Management Track is designed for senior-level fair and exposition professionals and focuses on advanced leadership and operational topics, including organizational behavior, human resources and supervisory challenges, legal issues, conflict deescalation, diversity and multigenerational workforce engagement and contract administration. Coursework began in February of 2024, and Coburn’s final class took place at the IAFE Convention in Phoenix, Ariz. Her class presented their final capstone project this spring at the 2025 IAFE Management Conference.
ESE congratulates both its graduates and commends Byrne and Coburn for their commitment to continuing their career relevant education. Additionally, we are grateful to the IAFE, which has brought together and bonded leaders from the fair industry at their annual convention for 135 years and counting.