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Ken Knowles Inducted into IAFE Hall of Fame

December 19, 2008

Las Vegas, NF --- Today at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) 118th Annual Convention, Ken Knowles, president of Northlands in Edmonton, Alberta, was inducted into the IAFE Hall of Fame. The IAFE convention is taking place Dec. 15-18, 2008, at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev. The highest honor bestowed by the IAFE, the Hall of Fame Award is presented annually in recognition of an individual’s distinguished achievement in, or contribution to, the fair industry.

Knowles began his fair career in 1970 as assistant manager of midway concessions at the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede. He later served as midway manager and, eventually, manager of racing. In 1977, he accepted the position of general manager at the Regina Exhibition Association. Knowles moved to Edmonton in 1985 and became assistant general manager with Northlands, then known as Northlands Park. He was responsible for the planning of Edmonton’s Klondike Days Exposition, the Canadian Finals Rodeo, and Farmfair International. Knowles assumed the role of president in 1999.

During his tenure as president, Northlands has benefited from numerous improvements including $150 million for the construction of additional trade show and conference space. Knowles has negotiated long-term agreements with key Northlands stakeholders, overseen revenues increase an average of 8% annually for the past five years, and spearheaded corporate re-branding of Northlands Park to Northlands and re-branding of the fair from Klondike Days to Capital EX.

Knowles is an active member of the fair industry. He served as president of the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions (CAFE) in 1983-1984. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the association in 1988 and in 2001 was the recipient of the CAFE Roll of Honour. He is a regular attendee at the IAFE Spring Conferences and has attended nearly every IAFE Annual Convention since the early 1970s. Knowles has served on numerous committees,the IAFE Board of Directors, and as chair of the IAFE in 2004.

Committed to giving back to his community, Knowles currently serves as chair of the Caritas Hospitals Foundation, committee member of the Alberta Government’s Brand Advisory Group, director on the Board of EDATANTWORKS, member of the Citizen Committee for EXPO 2017, and member of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. He previously served the United Way Campaign for Capital Region, the Edmonton and Capital Region Tourism Partnership Council, the Edmonton Events Advisory Committee, the Downtown Development Corporation,and McMan Youth Family & Community Services.

Knowles and his wife Kathy have two daughters, one granddaughter and two grandsons. Outside of his dedication to family and community involvements, Knowles is an avid golfer and enjoys a wide variety of sports.

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