Sydney Royal Easter Show receives international recognition at renowned IAFE Awards

The Sydney Royal Easter Show has received international recognition, with the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW securing 15 accolades at the International Associations of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) Awards held in Indianapolis.

The agricultural show went up against international events such as the Wisconsin and Iowa State Fairs in four categories which covered marketing, competition exhibits, agriculture, and sponsorship. Out of these, the RAS claimed four first place, seven second place and four third place awards.

Continuing to represent the Australian event industry, Sydney Royal Easter Show Head of Entertainment, Lynelle Smith CFE, was also celebrated for her contribution to agriculture events, becoming the first graduate of the IAFE Institute of Fair Management in Australasia.

General Manager, Agriculture and Sydney Royal Easter Show, Murray Wilton, says he couldn’t be prouder of his team's achievements and shared “It is an honour to be recognised by our international peers, particularly in our bicentenary year, and it is fantastic to see one of our own leading the charge in agricultural event management. Lynelle has been pioneering the Show’s entertainment for thirty years and is constantly looking for ways to innovate and ensure we deliver world-class entertainment.

“Our staff work incredibly hard to put on a fantastic event for our community, to celebrate the country coming to the city and award agricultural excellence. It hasn’t been easy over the past few years and, like many, we have faced countless challenges along the way, but with a united team, we continue to deliver an event of the highest standard and take on any challenge thrown at us. The awards received are a testament to this, and I couldn’t be prouder of our team.”

This year the RAS celebrated its bicentenary year with the Sydney Royal Easter Show proving to be the highlight on the event calendar. The team welcomed almost 900,000 patrons through the gates for 12 days of agricultural competition, rides, and delicious show food.

Across the 15 awards won, the RAS Bicentenary marketing and competitions were highlighted with the RAS’ celebratory book, Sydney Royal – Celebrating 200 years of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, bicentenary signage and marketing, and bicentenary competition honoured.

The complete list of awards won by Royal Agricultural Society of NSW at the International Associations of Fairs and Expositions:

MARKETING:

First Place - Category 6 – Souvenirs

First Place - Category 11 – Out-of-the-Box marketing

COMPETITIVE EXHIBITS:

Second Place - Category 1 - Use of Theme Throughout Multiple Divisions of Competitive Exhibits

Second Place - Category 2 - New CLASS of Competition

Second Place - Category 6 - Competitive Exhibit (Single Photo)

Third Place - Category 7 - Competitive Exhibits (Photo Series)

Third Place - Category 8 - Creative Display (Single Photo)

Third Place - Category 9 - Special Contest.

AGRICULTURE AWARDS:

Second Place - Category 1 - Agricultural exhibitor events, awards, participation incentives or retention programs

Second Place - Category 2 - Technique/procedure/policy developed by Fair Management to correct an issue or challenge related to an agricultural issue

Third Place - Category 5 - Unique exhibit/promotion/special event/community engagement/competition showcased during the year.

First Place - Category 6C - Agriculture Individual Photo:  Equine

Second Place - Category 6D - Agriculture Individual Photo:  Rodeo

First Place - Category 6E - Agriculture Individual Photo:  Ag Education (4-H/FFA)

Second Place - Category 7 - Any other agriculture program/exhibit

Image top: Winning photo exhibit: Agricultural Exhibit: Equine; Image above: Lynelle Smith graduating from the Institute of Fair Management