SARASOTA – Five people, including Clay County Agricultural Fair Executive Director Tasha Hyder, associated with fairs across five states, received a Certified Fair Executive Certification at the 2024 IAFE Management Conference on April 30.

Others were Kristen Bright of the Tennessee Valley Fair, Rachael Lough of the Ohio State Fair, Angela Miller of the Roosevelt County, Montana Fair and Shelly Parish of the North Dakota State Fair.

The purposes of the CFE program are to provide incentives for professional improvement in fair management, recognize those who achieve the specific standards, and develop professional status in fair management.

Certification also honors those members who have demonstrated their abilities through years of service to their fairs, fair associations, communities, and the Association.

Hyder has been involved in the events and fair industry for more than 15 years, creating new events and growing community favorites. She has become known for doing out-of-the-box stuff, which usually involves goats (she doesn’t even really like goats).

Tasha brought unique ideas like Ferris Wheel Speed Dating, Goat Yoga, Silent Disco Goat Party and more to her fair. She created “Our Fair Cares” to give back to the community. In 2022, Tasha’s team organized a nationwide effort to assist hurricane victims in Southwest Florida, raising $35,000 and sending 12 loaded semi-trucks to help.

Tasha is a champion for diversity and inclusion, serving on the Florida Festival Events DEI Task Force and frequently sharing with other fairs how they can become more inclusive. Tasha has a master’s degree in education from the University of North Florida. She is still considered a newlywed after getting married last October. She enjoys time with her fur-kids Dudley and Finley, five cats and a host of rescues looking for a home. Tasha’s favorite thing about the industry is how the community cares about many projects.