115th Annual Convention
WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION LATER
January 16- 18, 2026
Crowne Plaza - Springfield, Illinois
The 115th Annual IAAF Convention will be January 16-18, 2026.
Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to our Tent Talk Newsletter as more details regarding the exciting and informative events happening during the convention will be coming out in the December issue!
- All associates and convention attendees must register and possess an ID badge. Registration is available below.
- Check-in will begin on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
- Hospitality Rooms & Trade Show open at 3 PM on Friday, January 16, 2026.
- Queen Pageant will conclude the convention on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
- You will not want to miss the Friday afternoon “Let’s Get Acquainted Experience.” This special event is again being planned for all fair and associate people. It will include education and fun.
Sponsors
Please take a moment to help us thank our wonderful sponsors!
If your organization is interested in becoming a sponsor?
2026 IAAF Registration
January 16- 18, 2026
Crowne Plaza - Springfield, Illinois
All associates and convention attendees must register and possess an ID badge. This will cost $25 per person. There are two ways to register for the convention (see below). Convention registration does not include yearly membership dues. To pay member dues, please see the membership page of this website.
For information on hotel rooms, please reach out to Charlyn Fargo Ware at 217-553-1120 or iaafsecretary@gmail.com.
Download and complete the membership application form. Mail the form, and applicable fees (payable to IAAF) to the address below.
Mail to: Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs
15824 North 1650th St
Chrisman, IL 61924
Registration is Closed
Advance Sale Only - Register Above For:
Saturday Morning Breakfast
This event is designed for associates and fair boards to mingle and honor the Friends of Illinois Fairs. Our keynote speaker will be Michael Bradley. Only advance-sale tickets for $20 per person for breakfast on Saturday morning are sold, so order yours now! Register for breakfast on the convention registration form above.
Please indicate your ticket needs on the downloadable registration form, or add them to your online registration when registering. See above for details on both.
Michael Bradley
IAAF Keynote Speaker
Mike Bradley, who hails from California, brings expertise as a fair manager and from speaking at many state conventions as well as IAFE.
He operates MHB Productions, a fairs and events management consulting business and is an active keynote speaker addressing a wide range of subjects including Visionary Fair Programing, fundraising, leadership, youth development, agriculture awareness and education and current issues related to fairs and festivals throughout North America. He has represented the IAFE and their Speakers Bureau for more than 20 years.
Miss Illinois County Fair Queen
The 2026 Pageant Concludes
Sunday, January 18, 2026
For more information on the Queen Pageant and contestants, follow our Tent Talk News Blog
IAAF Showcase
Friday, January 16, 2026
There will not be a video showcase of acts.
For all parties interested in participating in the Showcase, please see download the showcase application below and follow the instructions on the form.
2025 Showcase Schedule
7:00 PM – 7:20 PM Next Thing Smokin’
7:25 PM – 7:45 PM Silver Lake Band
7:50 PM – 8:10 PM Bordertown & Co
8:15 PM – 8:35 PM Will King
8:40 PM – 9:00 PM Rook Richards
9:05 PM – 9:25 PM Bryan Martin
9:30 PM – 10:15 PM Dirty Grass Soul
Anlee Jones – Schuyler County
Serena Graham-Martinez Schuyler County
Izzy Claudius Schuyler County
IAAF State Talent Contest
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Mia Ward – Mercer County
2025 Junior Talent Placings
1st Schuyler County – Anlee Jones, Serena Graham-Martinez and Izzy Claudius
2nd Scott County – Chloe Buhlig
3rd Sangamon County – Tatum Bonjean
4th Ford County – Audrey Neukomm
5th Calhoun County – Clancy Dunker, Braelyn Abby and Ahna York
6th Boone County – Autumn Braxton and Aidan Glaz
7th Richland County – Adele Waxler
8th Perry County – Aspen Lee
9th Marion County – Briar Tate
10th Mercer County – Hannah Ball, Lakyn Barham, Avery Boss, Maddy Bruning, Finley Fitzsimmons, Cora Hall, Julia Hebbeln, Addison McCombs, Destiny Miller, Kayleigh Walsh and Lauren Walter
2025 Senior Talent Placings
1st Mercer County – Mia Ward
2nd Georgetown Fair – Nalani Day
3rd Boone County – Seth White
4th Morgan County – Taylor Deweese
5th Richland County – Carly Zuber and Allison Cline
6th Jersey County – Anya Alexis Wilkie
7th Stephenson County – Eliya Nyatangi and James Nyatangi
8th Iroquois County – Rachael Dexter
9th Logan County – Alexis Johnson
10th DuPage County – Briley Steffes
