Upon completion, the enrollee will become “certified” in the respective track completion. They will receive a certificate of accomplishment valid for five years.  Every five years a minimum of three approved continuing education courses are required to maintain “Certified Status.”  Individual will then be re-certified for an additional five years receiving an updated certificate. Continuing education courses are offered through the IAFE at the annual conventions, management conferences, zone meetings and other IAFE events. 

IAFE IFM CERTIFICATION TRACKS

1.     MANAGEMENT (2027)

2.     ENTERTAINMENT AND PROGRAMMING (2027)

3.     MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS (2025)

4.     FACILITIES MANAGEMENT (2025)

5.     LEADERSHIP (2026)

6.     SPONSORSHIP AND FUNDRAISING (2026)

IFM graduates may enroll in one track per year. Tracks will be offered every three years. Completion of all six tracks is not required.  Once you complete a track, you will be certified within that track.  However, all six tracks may be completed if an individual should choose to do so.

INVESTMENT: The investment for each track is $649 (USD).  This includes all coursework, required program CyberSeminars and courses. Enrollees will present their case study findings at the 2023 IAFE Management Conference This does not include travel and registration expenses for the Annual Convention or travel and registration expenses to the Management Conference.

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT TRACK: (2025)

#401 Master Plan Project(s) – How to approach: (CyberSeminar)  Learn how to effectively start the Master Plan Process, build team consensus, developing long and short-term goals. Navigate the Master Plan process and develop your tool kit for success. 

 #402 Experience Planning: (CyberSeminar) – What are they saying about your Fair?  How do you stack up against other “experiences”?  Beyond the logistics – are you considering your fair as a destination? What is the design motivation? Presented by Tom Owen, PGAV Architects. March 17, 2012   Replace with Behind-the-scenes information on facilities management. Things that need to be watched for but until experienced, you don't know what you don't know. March 20, 2025

#403 Facilities that Create a Safe Environment: (CyberSeminar) Do you have a safety plan for your attendees, staff, volunteers, livestock, guests with disabilities?  This course helps you identify the degree of protection for your event, establishes how to foster a healthy environment for everyone. April 24, 2025 

#404 Meeting the Cleanliness Needs of our Event Goers and More: (CyberSeminar)  A session that covers a broad span of creating a clean, safe environment for your event, beginning with training your team, work loading, equipment technology and ergonomics, and chemical control(s).  Discover the GBAC certification process and application process, AND how to continually advance your plans to combat the new health challenges. Presented by  Christian Kowieski, CFE – Chief Operating Officer, Wisconsin State Fair and April Walton, Janitorial Program Coordinator, Wisconsin State Fair.  May 29, 2025.

#405 How to Fund Your Master Plan and Facility Improvements: (CyberSeminar) Panelists review the best practices to gain funding for your facility improvements. What are some of the governmental hoops, how to engage your community, stakeholders, and your Foundation?  Presented by Amanda Blair, CFE – COO, Tulsa State Fair.  October 23, 2025.

#406 Contracts, Request for Proposal and Request for Qualifications, Contract Administration: (Presenter-led) In-depth course that looks at the steps necessary for a successful negotiation, from RFP’s to administering the contract.  Contents include negotiation preparation, setting targets, roles of team members, setting strategy, conducting negotiations, and documenting the final agreement. Upon completion, the enrollee will be able to prepare for, secure and administer contracts.  Date TBD offered at 2025 IAFE Annual Convention in Denver, CO.

Service-Learning Project: An integrated activity that connects the concepts and principles of this track to real-life application through volunteerism.  Each participant will gain practical experience while focusing on management/operation activities.  Minimum eight volunteer hours.  To be approved by your mentor.

Group Project: Enrollees will be assigned a group project related to Facilities Management. The group will complete the project and present it at the 2026 IAFE Management Conference.  The group will be provided with an industry mentor to aid the group in their case study efforts. 

 Testing:  In order to complete the track certification, enrollees are required to successfully pass a final exam, administered on-line.  Passing score is considered 90 percent or greater. Enrollee will be provided multiple opportunities to achieve a passing score.

Re-Certification: Upon completion, the enrollee will become “certified” in the respective track completed.  Every five years, a minimum of three approved continuing education courses are required to maintain “Certified Status.”  Continuing education courses are offered, through the IAFE, at the annual conventions, management conferences, zone meetings and other IAFE events. 

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