Guest Speakers

11 am FridayLIFE IS FULL OF “IFS”
Skyroom

Before she retires, Marla Calico had to return to one of her favorite Fair Associations…

MARLA CALICO

Marla Calico is the President and CEO of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions – the IAFE – headquartered in Springfield, Missouri. The Association represents and facilitates the evolving interests of its 1000 members which are agricultural fairs, exhibitions and show from around the globe.

Her role as the President and CEO (January 2016) came after 9 ½ years on the staff of the Association. When she joined the IAFE’s professional staff in 2006 her primary projects include the launch the IAFE’s Institute of Fair Management (a training program which provides an introduction to the core areas of fair management to fair staff, board members and volunteers), and to deliver the Association's award-winning "Consumer Protection Program: Risk Management for E.coli 0157:H7" to the fair industry globally.

Prior to joining the IAFE’s staff, Marla had a long career in the fair sector, working for nearly 30 years at the Ozark Empire Fair (Springfield, Missouri), the latter decade of which she was the General Manager. During that time, she also served as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the IAFE.

Marla is a frequent speaker for fair industry gatherings, presenting motivational keynote addresses as well as seminars on a wide range of topics of key importance to fairs today.In 2012, Marla was inducted into the IAFE’s “Hall of Fame”, the highest honor awarded by the Association.

A life-long resident of the Ozarks, Marla graduated with a BS in Agri-Business from Missouri State University.

But here’s all you really need to know or use for introduction:

Marla is passionate about agricultural fairs and the people who make them happen. She’s often referred to as “The Fair Chick”. Her role as the President and CEO of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions is the culmination of a life spent involved with fairs – as an exhibitor, a visitor, volunteer, employee and manager.

PRESENTATION

LIFE IS FULL OF “IFS” “On my wall at the office, right where I can see it every day is a comic strip of “Pickles” by Brian Crane. The question asked in this strip, is “Did you ever stop and think that in the middle of the word ‘life’ is the word ‘if’?” and the statement is, “That means that life is full of ‘ifs’.” In reality, many of us are afraid of the “if”. We don’t really want to ask, “what if”? We prefer the routine, the expected, rather than the “ifs” that come along. In this message you will be challenged to think about the world of possibilities and opportunities for our fairs to thrive and create a sustainable base for the next generation if we just will embrace the “ifs”.

SPONSORED BY IAFE

Be Better! by Lori Willett, CFE

Convention wraps up Saturday, November 2 after Lunch and IAFE Closing Keynote, Be Better! by Lori Willett, CFE

Lori takes you through her life story influenced by incredible people, impossible tragedies and the how-to of survival. She shares what it means to be impactful on the toughest days, and how you can lay the groundwork to overcome any Goliath that stands before you. Be Better is about human spirit, bravery and most of all, boundless joy.

Lori Wickett was raised in the heart of wheat and Angus cattle country of Montana. Growing up in 4-H, FFA, sports and rural life, she experienced a wonderful youth of community and can-do spirit that small towns inspire. But many do not know that it was a time filled with,“really tough stuff.”

Those difficulties helped Lori persevere through college and onto the corporate scene where her tenacity earned her a position with the world’s top public relations firm. From there she built a career, landing in the Fair business where she honed her leadership skills from marketing director to CEO across three states. She earned her IAFE Certified Fair Executive designation and graduated from the IAFE Institute of Fair Management. She twice served as a board member for the Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs.

At the height of her career, a combination of workplace thunderstorms and family tragedy brought all of it to an abrupt stop. She faced a decision: would she stay broken, or would she rise up like the warrior she was raised to be. In her words, “Would I be better for it – would I be better than all of it?”

Lori returned to Montana in 2020 and opened a business where she helps organizations with marketing and operational challenges.Her current role as research and communications director for the Montana Wheat & Barley Committee brings her back to her agriculture roots, building relationships between producers and customers. Asked to share her story, she has begun to address audiences wherever she can make an impact.

Lori and her husband, Jeff enjoy college football, a good rodeo and celebrating their children and grandchild together.