2024 Showcasing Application

2024 Showcasing Application

2024 Showcase Guidelines

Showcase Committee Assignment | Overview
The Heartland Association of Fairs, Festivals & Events (HAFFE) shall maintain control over all showcases. Showcases will be supervised by a Showcase Committee.
• The Showcase Committee shall be appointed by the HAFFE Board of Directors. The Showcase Committee shall be comprised of three (3) individuals. Showcase Committee members do not need to be members of the board of directors but must be affiliated with HAFFE or one of its members.
• The Showcase Committee shall appoint one (1) member (from within the committee) to serve as the Showcase Manager. The Showcase Manager will coordinate the showcase process with showcase acts & the showcase sound/lighting provider.
• The Showcase Committee will be responsible to the HAFFE Board of Directors, will work with the Showcase Manager to review acts for showcase selection & will assist the Showcase Manager prior to (and during) the convention.

Showcase Eligibility
• Showcase act/agent must be a HAFFE Associate (or Individual) Member for one (1) year prior to application. In 2024, all current (paid) members are eligible to apply for a showcase. For showcases selected, the member’s 2025 dues must be paid prior to the performance or video showcase.
• Showcase act/agent must be up to date with all HAFFE membership dues for the current year.
• Showcase application rules must be followed as written in the application for the showcase to be considered a valid candidate.
• The Showcase Committee does not guarantee showcases to any members.

Showcase Options | Pricing
Live Performance: Fifteen (15) minutes; $100 fee
Video Showcase: Five (5) minutes; $100 fee

Showcase fee MUST accompany the showcase application. The fee will be returned if the act is not selected to showcase.

Late applications will not be accepted. Refer to the Showcase Application for application deadlines.

Showcase Outline | Rules
Video Showcases are available to eligible members who (due to the nature of their act) cannot perform ‘live’ on the showcase stage. Eligibility questions may be directed to the Showcase Manager.

Showcase acts may not exceed the time limits listed above (See “Showcase Options/Pricing) Time shall begin immediately after emcee introduction. Time limit will include invitation to visit the act’s room. The adherence to the time limit will be the sole responsibility of the performer and the agent. A countdown clock may be used and supplied by the act or the agent to be used during the showcase. If the act goes over the time limit the mic will be shut off and the stage lights put out at the discretion of the Showcase Committee. If an act exceeds their allowed performance time the Showcase Committee may consider the member ineligible to apply for a showcase at the next HAFFE convention.

Neither artist nor agent shall invite (or encourage) convention attendees to depart from the convention (for an off-site performance) while convention activities are still taking place, or both artist & agent will be disqualified from showcasing for two (2) years.

Showcase acts must use the stage, sound, lighting, video & backline equipment provided by the convention unless specific approval has been granted by the Showcase Manager during the act’s advance. The Showcase Committee shall maintain exclusive control of the sound and lighting equipment.

If selected, an act may showcase up to two (2) consecutive years, before taking one (1) year off. (This rule only applies to the specific act or video showcase performed in front of in-person attendees. It does not apply to the member/agent or showcasing virtually during online education sessions.)

There shall be no substitution of a selected showcase act without the permission of the Showcase Committee.

Showcase acts must be able to perform in the facilities provided by the hotel/convention center. Showcasing may only take place in designated areas and at times designated by the Showcase Committee. Acts will be provided with a 20-30 minute set up/sound check, which may take place during convention-related classes & meetings. The Showcase Manager will set up/sound check times in the weeks before the convention.

Showcase acts are welcome to distribute one (1) promotional item (per place setting, per table) at the convention meal corresponding with their showcase date/time. Items must be of a reasonable size and should not be placed on top of food, plates, drinking glasses or eating utensils. The Showcase Committee will remove promotional items that do not comply with these guidelines. To prevent the disposal of promotional items, the act/agent must collect unused/unclaimed materials immediately following the departure of guests from the room.

The National Anthem, emcee requests, and/or performances requested by the board are not considered showcases.

Any appeals arising from the decision of the Showcase Manager shall be taken to the Showcase Committee, whose decision will be final. Appeals from decisions of the Showcase Manager should be made in writing & filed with the Showcase Committee.

The HAFFE Board of Directors reserves the right to amend and interpret the guidelines stated within this document.