GRAND RAPIDS, MI (WTVB) – The Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions (MAFE) will host their annual conference, January 14-16, at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. The 131st conference gathers fair, festival and MAFE members to share ideas, attend educational workshops, and connect with fair and festival vendors from around the country. A free, public kid’s showcase is also scheduled for Friday, January 15, where children are encouraged to view potential fair entertainment.
“The Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions is in the business of fun,” says MAFE Executive Director, Lisa Reiff. “We are excited to be back and proud of our long-standing positive relationships we have with the city of Grand Rapids. We have created a convention that takes the fun to heart, with educational activities and a showcase of the very best in entertainment and festival vendors from around the country.”
A free, public Kid’s Showcase is scheduled for Friday, January 15th from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel’s Imperial Ballroom. The showcase will include free entertainment such as clowns, puppet shows and magic acts. The general public is highly encouraged to attend and share feedback on the performances that could become Fair and Exhibition acts throughout Michigan in 2016.
The MAFE conference offers members access to every resource needed to produce outstanding fairs and events throughout the state of Michigan, all under one roof. Nearly 100 MAFE associate members including carnival ride companies, food concessionaires, midway games, acts, attractions & grandstand entertainers, rodeos, demolition derbies, livestock groups, ribbon, trophy and special event insurance companies will attend the convention.
“Local fairs are the some of the least expensive family oriented entertainment venues in the state of Michigan,” says Reiff. “Families get to spend quality time together, learn where their food comes from and create lasting memories. Fairs help teach responsibility and good sportsmanship to participants, especially our youth. Studies have shown that youth who are regularly engaged in quality extra-curricular activity are less apt to have problems later in life.”
Education events and round-table discussion topics will include youth development, educating the public of the importance of agriculture to the economy of Michigan, the contributions MAFE makes each year, promotion of agri-tourism throughout the state and the economic impact of fairground facilities in our communities.
2014 Michigan Fair and Exhibition Numbers:
- Statewide Attendance: 4,532,100
- Total Donated Volunteer Hours: 659,884
- Total Exhibitors: 53,238
- Youth Exhibitors: 45,489
- Livestock Sales: $18,521,696 (used by youth to advance agriculture education)
