The Missouri State Fair celebrated many honors at the 2025 International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE) Convention. The Missouri State Fair was recognized for programs in sponsorship, competitive exhibits, agriculture education, non-fair facility usage, commercial exhibits and concessions and communications. The Missouri State Fair is judged alongside other IAFE members of similar size, ranging in attendance from 250,000 to 500,000.
Agriculture Awards Sponsored by ShoWorks
Best of Division Award – Awarded to a Fair with the Best Contest Entry in Division 3
- Policy/Procedure/Technique to Correct/Mitigate Agriculture Issue(s) Impacting Fair and/or Community at Large, Addressed During the Annual Fair – DNA Hair Follicle Collection Analysis for Market Animals
1st Place Wins
- Agricultural Exhibitor Participation Incentives and Retention Programs – First-Time Exhibitor Grant Program
- Policy/Procedure/Technique to Correct/Mitigate Agriculture Issue(s) Impacting Fair and/or Community at Large, Addressed During the Annual Fair – DNA Hair Follicle Collection Analysis for Market Animals
- Program/Event/Exhibit Educating Consumers/Fairgoers on the Story of Food During the Annual Fair – Missouri Wine 101 Classes
- Any Other Agriculture Program/Exhibit – Show Moms Social
- Agriculture Education Photo – Grandpa helping granddaughter get cattle ready for the show ring
2nd Place Wins
- Agriculture Individual Photo: Miscellaneous – Grand Champion Bacon exhibitor with his bacon entry
Hall of Honor Communications Awards Sponsored by K&K Insurance
1st Place Win
- Radio – :30 Flo Rida concert ad and :30 General Fair ad
- Online Advertisement – Digital carnival ad
2nd Place Wins
- Souvenirs and Commemorative Items – Themed beach towel souvenir sponsor gift
3rd Place Wins
- Promotional Outdoor Digital Advertising – Digital billboard featuring kids on carnival ride
Competitive Exhibits Awards Sponsored by North American Midway Entertainment
1st Place Win
- Competitive Exhibits Contest with New Partner/Sponsor – Show-Me State Tailgate Barbecue Contest, sponsored by Anheuser-Busch & in partnership with the Deron Cherry Foundation
2nd Place Wins
- Strategy or Tactic to Engage New Competitive Exhibits Participants – Livestock and Building Exhibits Facebook page
- Creative Display Photo Series – Trails End display
Innovation in Sponsorship Awards Sponsored by ETIX
1st Place Wins
- Sponsorship Innovation – Missouri State Fair Wine Trail, sponsored by Missouri Wines
- First-Time Sponsorship – Ceremonial Flag Boxes for Flag Retreat Honorees, sponsored by GFL Environmental
2nd Place Wins
- Sponsorship Innovation – Show-Me State Tailgate Barbecue Contest, sponsored by Anheuser-Busch & in partnership with the Deron Cherry Foundation
- Sponsorship Exposure – World’s Largest Duck, sponsored by W-K Jeep
- In-Kind/Trade Sponsorship – Elite Dry Cleaners
3rd Place Win
- Community Impact – Jaycee Access Day
Non-Fair Facility Usage Awards Sponsored by EventPro
1st Place Wins
- Successful Non-Fair Event Not Produced by Facility Staff – Red Power Round Up
2nd Place Wins
- Printed Promotional Material Specific to Non-Fair Facility Usage or Rentals – Camper stress ball giveaway item
- Social Media (Facility Specific) – Overview of Missouri State Fairgrounds social media page
Commercial Exhibits & Concessions Sponsored by Pickering Events
2nd Place Wins
- Vendor Communications and Operations – Vendor welcome handout
- Vendor Recognition – 2 vendors receiving Friends of the Fair Award in 2025
3rd Place Win
- Innovative Layout Changes – Adding a food vendor in the public campground
- Marketing and Promotion – Concession specials for special Fair event days
