CFE and CVFM Designation

Full-time staff members who are with an IAFE member fair can receive the prestigious Certified Fair Executive designation. Volunteer staff members who are with an IAFE member fair can likewise receive the Certified Volunteer Fair Manager designation. The CFE and CVFM recognizes excellence in the fair management field. CFEs and CVFMs are chosen based upon an extensive review and application process.

IMPORTANT: In order to be considered for certification, the application and all supporting materials must be submitted no later than January 15 (for the CFE) or June 1 (for the CVFM) of the year during which certification is sought.

In order for the application to be considered, the following requirements must be met:

CFE Qualifications

An applicant's fair or state or provincial fair association must be a current member in good standing of the IAFE, and the applicant must have a minimum of five years experience as a full-time chief executive officer of a fair or state or provincial fair association or five years as a full-time staff executive. Full-time status is defined as when one is employed in a compensated non-volunteer capacity for more than 1,500 hours per year by a member fair or state or provincial fair association.
The applicant shall also attach to the application a brief statement of not less than 150 words indicating his/her management philosophy of fairs or state or provincial fair associations, as well as any other support documentation requested.
A check in the amount of $75 (U.S. funds) payable to the International Association of Fairs and Expositions must accompany the application.

CVFM Qualifications

The applicant must be a graduate of the IAFE Institute of Fair Management.
An applicant's fair must be a current member in good standing of the IAFE, and the applicant must have a minimum of 10 years experience as a volunteer in a management level position of a fair. A management level position is defined as an officer, board member, department head or superintendent of a member fair.
The applicant shall also attach to the application a brief statement of not less than 150 words indicating his/her volunteer management principles as it relates to the production and presentation of fairs, as well as any other support documentation requested.
A check in the amount of $75 (U.S. funds) payable to the International Association of Fairs and Expositions must accompany the application.