2026 Showcasing Application

2026 Showcasing 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. 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, and 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 2025, all current (paid) members are eligible to apply for a showcase. For showcases selected, the member’s 2026 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
Strolling Showcase: Fifteen (15) minutes; $100 fee

Showcase fee MUST be paid within 15 days of showcase acceptance.

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.

Strolling Act showcases will be scheduled at times (and in areas) that will maximize visibility for the act. HAFFE makes no guarantee as to the number of convention attendees who may be present during a strolling showcase.

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. Stage 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 notify Stage Acts of their 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.

HAFFE Showcase Application

The Clarion – Minot, ND | November 19-21, 2026

Application Fee: $100.00
(You will be billed when application is accepted)

Application Deadline: September 1, 2026
Type of Showcase:

Type of Showcase: Live Video Showcase (Please note rules regarding what acts qualify for a video showcase) Strolling Act
Name of Act
WHY DO HAFFE MEMBERS NEED TO SEE YOUR ACT? (Give us your best plug! If selected, the emcee will use this to
introduce your act! Please limit to 100 words or less ):
LIVE SHOWCASE - Description of Act
Does artist perform to tracks, as a multi-piece band, or other?

Does artist perform to tracks, as a multi-piece band, or other? Tracks Multi-Piece Band Other, please provide details Other, please provide details

**STAGE PLOT & INPUT LIST MUST ACCOMPANY SHOWCASE APPLICATIONS FOR MUSICAL ACTS.
If your act is a musician/band, please indicate the following additional details: Genre:
Number of Band Members
If available, link to youtube or weblink for consideration:
VIDEO SHOWCASE - Description of Act
Link to youtube or weblink for consideration:
If showcase is accepted into the 2026 program, do you intend on utilizing the video submitted above or providing an updated one?

If showcase is accepted into the 2026 program, do you intend on utilizing the video submitted above or providing an updated one? YES use the submitted above NO I will be providing an updated link by November 1, 2026

If answer is NO, (if updated link is not received by November 1st, application link will be used for showcase)
STROLLING ACT SHOWCASE - Description of Act
Link to youtube or weblink for consideration:
AGENCY INFORMATION
Agency
Agency Contact Agency Contact First Last
Agency Contact Email
Agency Contact Phone Number Agency Contact Phone Number - ### - ### ####
ARTIST CONTACT INFORMATION

For Showcase Advances ONLY
Artist Contact Name Artist Contact Name First Last
Artist Contact Email
Artist Contact Phone Artist Contact Phone - ### - ### ####
PLEASE INDICATE YOUR TOP 3 PERFORMANCE DATE CHOICES
1st Choice

Choose from drop down dates
2nd Choice

Choose from drop down dates
3rd Choice

Choose from drop down dates
Artist Info Sheet / Stage Plot

Please only fill out this page if the act does not have a stage plot/input list to be provided with the application. (Scan in and send to secretary@heartlandassociationffe.com)
**Updated 2026** Showcase acts will be provided a timeframe for set up/sound check. We will no longer set specific times for each act. All acts for a specific showcase block (i.e. Thurs. night would be a 'block'.) will be asked to report at the same time (typically 1-4 hours before their showcase ‘block’); & will be helped on a first-come, first-serve basis.

All acts should be able to set up and sound check in less than 30 minutes. Please consider the set up/sound check timeframe when applying to showcase. (If you want to showcase on Fri. night, but cannot arrive until Friday at 4PM, a Saturday showcase is a more appropriate choice.) Information on your set up/sound check will be provided in the weeks prior to convention, during your showcase advance.

Items to be returned for consideration:
• Completed Application (Including all requested documents & information.)
o Artist/Act Introduction (This will be used for the emcee introduction at convention, if selected.)
o Audio/Video Footage or website link for both live acts/and video showcase acts.
o Stage Plot/Input List (if applicable)
o Logo Artwork File (Agent & Artist)
o Billing Information

All acts will be notified once reviewed (whether selected to showcase or not)
BILLING INFORMATION

BILLING INFORMATION I understand that I will be billed when my act is approved, invoice must be paid at time o receipt in order to secure your showcase spot.
Invoice Company Name
Invoice Contact First & Last Name
Invoice Contact Email Address
Invoice Contact Phone
Invoice Billing Address
Billing Address, City, State & Zip Code
I hereby agree to & understand the HAFFE (New) Showcase Guidelines & Application Requirements. Please draw your signature in the box below.

Draw or Type

I understand this is a legal representation of my signature. Clear

Full Name

I understand this is a legal representation of my signature.

2026 Showcasing Application

2026 Showcasing Application

HAFFE Showcase Application

LIVE SHOWCASE - Description of Act

VIDEO SHOWCASE - Description of Act

STROLLING ACT SHOWCASE - Description of Act

AGENCY INFORMATION

ARTIST CONTACT INFORMATION

PLEASE INDICATE YOUR TOP 3 PERFORMANCE DATE CHOICES

Artist Info Sheet / Stage Plot