Media Advisory and Media Credential Requests

Media Admission and Credentials

We appreciate the coverage the media provides and want to extend complimentary admission and parking passes to the press covering the Fair. We are not able to extend this offer to members of the press who are not on assignment, or to their friends, family, etc. Nor, do sales staff qualify for media privileges. Please read and follow the instructions to secure the appropriate Press ID Badge, admission and parking pass for the Missouri State Fair.

Admission Reminders

• If you will be bringing a satellite truck or a camera crew, please let us know before you arrive so we may make the necessary parking arrangements and provide assistance in your coverage of the Missouri State Fair.
• Please wear your Daily or Photo Press ID Badge because it allows you to be identified as a member of the working media at ticketed events and will clearly identify you to State Fair staff, superintendents, exhibitors and spectators.

Note: Without an event ticket, you may be asked to leave ticketed events upon completion of gathering news and photography.

Proof of Publication

Proof of publication (i.e. tear sheets, affidavit of publication, etc.) is required by media after the Fair to validate our attendance records.

I’d like to cover all 11 days of the Missouri State Fair…

You will need a Photo Press ID Badge and an 11-Day Parking Pass!

• Fill out the “Request for Media Credentials” form.
• If you are granted media credentials we will contact you to gather a headshot photo and a letter from your Editor/Publisher/Program Director on company letterhead requesting a photo press ID badge for you to cover the a minimum of 6 of the total 11 days of the Fair on their behalf.
• Indicate on the form if you will be picking it up prior to the Fair or if you would like us to mail it to you. Requests that come in after July 21 will likely NOT be mailed as they may not reach you in time for the start of the Fair.

I’d like to cover the Missouri State Fair, but will be there less than 11 days…

You will need a Daily Press ID Badge, Admission Ticket and a Daily Parking Pass!

• Fill out the “Request for Media Credentials” form.
• If you are granted media credentials the Marketing Department will contact you to gather a letter from your Editor/Publisher/Program Director on company letterhead requesting a daily press ID badge, admission ticket(s) and daily parking pass.
• Indicate on the form if you will be picking up the passes prior to the Fair or if you would like us to mail it to you. Request that come in after July 21 will likely NOT be mailed as they may not reach you in time for the start of the Fair.

I did not get my credentials before the Fair…

You MUST stop by the Hospitality Building on Highway 65, north of Gate 11, one time only!

If no arrangements have been made prior to the Fair for your media outlet to cover the Missouri State Fair, you must stop by the Hospitality Building on Highway 65, just north of Gate 11, one time only! Present your picture ID and a letter from your Editor/Publisher/Program Director on company letterhead requesting an admission and parking pass for the day. The Hospitality Booth will grant only one admission pass per media representative during the 11-day Fair. If you will be returning to the Fair on a future day, you must come to the Marketing & Publicity Office located at Fair time in the south end of the MEC Building to obtain a Daily Press ID and an additional admission and parking pass for the future days you will be covering the Missouri State Fair.

Marketing and Publicity Office

For most of the year, the Marketing & Publicity Office is located in the Administrative Building just west of Mathewson Exhibition Center. During the annual Missouri State Fair, however, the Marketing & Publicity Office is based in the south end of the MEC Building. It will be open on August 7-17 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Please feel free to use it as your office away from home. Three direct-line telephones and full internet access will be available for you. Enjoy light refreshments, courtesy of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, in the air-conditioned hospitality room.

Marketing & Publicity Office Personnel

Kari Mergen, Marketing Director 660-530-5611
Cierra Monsees, Public Relations Specialist 660-530-5610
Meredith Rumsey, Marketing Assistant 660-530-5609

During the Fair, the Marketing & Publicity Office can be reached by calling 660-530-5610 or 800-422-FAIR (3247).

Broadcast Booth

Live radio broadcast capabilities are available from our Broadcast Booth, located in the MEC Building and made available throughout the Missouri State Fair 11-day event. Stations from around the state may take advantage of this facility and broadcast live while on the fairgrounds. To reserve your 2-hour slot, call 660-530-5610. A full broadband internet will be available at no cost.

News Conferences and Interviews

The Missouri State Fair Commissioners and Fair Director will be available for interviews. The Marketing Director will arrange interviews at your request. The Marketing & Publicity staff will also be happy to help you contact winners, exhibitors and superintendents for interviews.

Press conferences are to be determined. If you would like to be added to our press conference email list, please email us at mostatefair@mda.mo.gov to request to be added.

Accessing Video for the 2024 Missouri State Fair

Video is available on the Fair’s YouTube page.

Accessing Photos for the 2024 Missouri State Fair

General Fair photos are available on the Fair’s Flickr page. Please credit “Missouri State Fair.”

**Competition photos will not be provided by the Fair. Visit the Official Photographer page to contact the photographers directly.

Press Releases

Press releases will be sent through our email system to all media outlets. If you are not receiving these e-newsletters, please request to be added to our system by emailing mostatefair@mda.mo.gov.

These press releases can also be found on the State Fair News page conveniently listed by date and topic.

Competition Results

General news releases will be emailed to all media outlets statewide; if you are not receiving our e-newsletters, please request to be added to our contact list by emailing mostatefair@mda.mo.gov.

A listing of competition results will be made available on the Competition Results page. Results are made live as soon as they are available.

Golf Carts

To help you get to Fair events and activities, golf carts will be available to members of the media covering the Fair –courtesy of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. A limited number of carts will be issued on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Carts can be checked out from the Media Lounge located within the Marketing & Publicity Office and a “Golf Cart Waiver Form” must be completed at the time of check-out. Golf carts must be reserved in person and cannot be reserved in advance.

Please Note: To help ensure pedestrian safety, certain streets/areas on the fairgrounds will be highly restricted. Please locate a map and rules for golf cart use prior to driving a golf cart. Your cooperation in helping to keep our fairgrounds safe for the public is appreciated. Violators will lose golf cart privileges.