Celebrating Another Successful Year: Recap of the 2025 AFMA Convention

The Arkansas Fair Managers Association (AFMA) gathered once again in Hot Springs

from December 11–13, 2025, for its annual convention. This year’s theme, “Country

Christmas at the AFMA,” set a festive tone at the Hot Springs Convention Center as fair

managers, associate members, and industry partners from across the Natural State met

to celebrate the 2025 season and prepare for the year ahead.

Equipping Our Leaders: Licenses, Certifications, and Verifiers

The 2025 Convention didn’t just focus on the festivities; it kicked off with a heavy

emphasis on the professional standards that keep our fairs safe and compliant. We

began the week by offering dedicated sessions for members to earn the essential

licenses and certifications required to run high-quality fairs, livestock shows, and

rodeos.

A major focus this year was ensuring our fair staff and volunteers are fully prepared for

the 2026 season. Key highlights from the certification tracks included:

• Poultry Testing (NPIP) & Coggins Verifiers: Crucial sign-up and training sessions were held for those responsible for animal health oversight. This ensures all exhibitors meet the strict health requirements for poultry and equine entries.

• Livestock Health Compliance: Working closely with the State Veterinarians, attendees received the latest updates on RFID tagging, Premise IDs, and Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVI).

• Safety & Regulatory Standards: From carnival safety protocols to food service; insights, the workshops provided the credentials necessary to navigate modern regulatory environments and where to gather information for

• your fair.

• Operational Excellence and the Digital Fair: Specialized seminars on EZ Fair and other entry systems provided the technical certification; fair managers need to handle the complex logistics of registration and results as well as a seminar on leveraging social media to engage younger audiences.

By providing these opportunities under one roof, the AFMA continues to ensure that

Arkansas fairs remain the gold standard for agricultural education and community

safety.

Entertainment at Convention: What would a convention be without a showcase of the

incredible talent that keeps our fair grandstands full? This year’s lineup featured a

diverse range of performers from across the state and even from Nashville, giving fair

managers a firsthand look at the acts ready to headline the 2026 season.

The convention stage came alive with performances by:

• Ms. Caroline Whiley: Hailing from Jessieville, AR, Caroline captivated the audience with her powerful southern vocals and stage presence.

• Copper Flats: Representing Central Arkansas, this group brought high-energy sounds and a local flavor that resonated with the crowd.

• Brody McKinney: A rising star who proved why he is a must-watch talent for the upcoming fair season.

• Steve Boyster with Boysterous Music: Bringing a mix of professional expertise and infectious energy, Steve ensured the atmosphere stayed boysterous; and memorable for all attendees.

These showcases are more than just entertainment; they provide a vital platform for

Arkansas artists to connect with fair boards looking to book top-tier talent for their local

communities.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As we look toward the 2026 fair season, the energy from the convention is a reminder

that Arkansas fairs are more than just events—they are a tradition of community,

agriculture, and family fun.

A Special Thank you to all the sponsors who made this Country Christmas; a memory

to cherish!