Guest Speakers
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Guest Speakers

2:00 PM Opening Session Thursday
Opening IAFE Keynote ‘Adventures with the IAFE:
A Journey of Learning in 2023’
Jessica McLaughlin, CFE, Spokane County Interstate Fair

Silver/Bronze

BIO

Jessie McLaughlin serves as the Fair Coordinator for Spokane County Interstate Fair in Spokane, WA. She has been with Spokane County for 35 years, beginning in the Parks and Recreation Department, then transferring to the Fair. She received her Certified Fair Executive designation through the International Association of Fairs and Expositions in 2009 and graduated from the Institute of Fair Management in 2011. She now serves as the IAFE’s Course 131 (Competitive Exhibit Programming) instructor in the Institute of Fair Management program.

Jessie is an active member of Boy Scouts of America – Silver Beaver recipient, 2023 National Youth Leadership Training Course Director, and currently serves as the Council’s Advancement Chair. She is on the Finance Committee for Camp Fire, having also served as Board President. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, currently serving as her ward’s gospel doctrine instructor, and is Treasurer of Washington State Horsemen. She and her husband, Dale, have two children – Connor (22) and Emma (26). Emma and her husband, Kody, also blessed them with a grandson, Kaysen, in December. In her spare time, Jessie enjoys training/teaching outdoor skills, geocaching, camping, hiking, and traveling through the U.S. visiting National Parks.

PRESENTATION

Traveling with the International Association of Fairs and Expositions during the past year has given Jessie a unique opportunity to witness how fairs in other parts of the United States “do what they do.” Get ready to be inspired by the magic of fairs as she takes you on a journey through her travels, highlighting the key insights and memorable moments that enriched her perspective on culture, entertainment, and event management.

SPONSORED BY IAFE and the Spokane County Interstate Fair


FRIDAY October 20, 2023

8-10 AM FridayEngaging Our Communities - A DEI Series

Who Do We Serve, How Do We Serve Them
Krista Perez, Perez Consulting

Silver/Bronze

BIO

Krista Perez 's work is anchored in cultivating spaces of belonging and accelerating equity in our homes, work and communities. Her multi-disciplinary perspective allows her to view her work through several lenses, which include her identity as a second generation immigrant and descendant of a migrant working family, her background in law, economics and public policy, small business/entrepreneurial knowledge and experience, and her dedication to community organizing. These experiences inform the work that Krista has done as president and founder of the nonprofit organization, the Tacoma Women of Color Collective, co-founder of The Community Market, a People of Color-centered market, and Perez Consulting, a diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion consulting business. At Perez Consulting, authenticity, transparency and accountability are prioritized. Krista believes it is important to uproot anti- Black, racist, ableist and biased values while amplifying the voices of communities of color. Key in this pursuit is creating safe spaces for Black, Indigenous and People of Color, embedding longevity into these processes and striving for equitable outcomes. Please find Krista’s recently published book, Unearthing Our

Roots; Restorative Practices for Cultivating Spaces of Belonging,

here: https://bluecactuspress.com/product/unearthingourr...

PRESENTATION

This workshop will highlight the importance of knowing the communities that we serve, in assessing how we serve them, and offer beginning tools on how to adapt, change and do better.

The WSFA is excited to partner with Perez Consulting to launch a series of discussions and educational workshops that integrate equity, cultivating spaces of belonging and organic community engagement into your organization’s systems and processes. Perez Consulting will be facilitating four workshops, starting at the Convention and culminating next Spring. Perez Consulting’s approach to integrating equity begins with assessing and reflecting on internal processes, areas of opportunity and strengths to build upon. We believe that equity work begins with each individual and is most probable to have long-term impact when there is individual commitment and buy-in from all levels within the organization.

SPONSORED BY THE Washington State Fair


Saturday October 21

10:30 - 11:30 am

“Build a Better Now”

Greg Bennick

Olympic/Gold

BIO

Greg Bennick knows focus. Though reading about his life, you wouldn’t know that. He has been a thought provoker, public presenter, comedic juggler and punk rock vocalist (yes, you read that correctly), a TEDx speaker, a humanitarian and philanthropist, and an influencer devoted to transforming the world by inspiring personal and social change … and a long-time fair performer and active past member of the WSFA!

He is here to share ideas and laughs with us as we learn together. You can find out more at www.gregbennick.com


PRESENTATION

Greg Bennick is here to inspire us to Build a Better Now. Greg comes from the Fair family and understands our world! His interactive keynote explores ideas around how we can best use this moment as a launching point for the future we want. He has customized his talk today for us to include ideas that he experienced in his many years serving this community. Greg is from Seattle and always makes sure audiences have a great time.

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