Marla by the Numbers

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Welcome to Marla By The Numbers, the podcast series from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE). Hosted by Marla Calico, President & CEO of the IAFE, this podcast will discuss different aspects affecting agricultural fairs across the globe.

Marla Calico


    • Jun 9, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 27m AVG DURATION
    • 33 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Marla by the Numbers

    5 Keys to Effective Ag Education Initiatives

    Play Episode Play 20 sec Highlight Listen Later Jun 9, 2023 29:26


    Marla talks with Ray Allison, Chief Development and Strategy Officer at the Indiana State Fair about "5 Keys to Effective Ag Education Initiatives."

    4 Ideas for Keeping Yourself Sane & Healthy During Stressful Times

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2023 26:12


    Join Marla as she talks with David Wantz of Wantz & Associates about ways to keep yourself sane and healthy under stress. 

    3 Ways Fairs Plan for Animal Disease Response

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2023 26:30


    Marla talks with Dr. Maggie Baldwin, DVM, of Colorado, in this latest episode of Marla by the Numbers. 

    Five Ways To Be an Agfluencer

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2023 22:53


    On this episode of Marla by the Numbers, Marla talks with Kady Porterfield of the Kittitas County Fair in Washington about "Five Ways To Be an Agfluencer.

    Ten Tips for Engaging the Community (Our Fair Cares)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2023 27:00


    Join Marla as she talks with Tasha Hyder of the Clay County Fair in Florida about "Ten Tips for Engaging the Community (Our Fair Cares)."

    Four Stories of Unique Fair Visits in Zone 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2023 29:08


    Join Marla as she chats with Kathryn Hunter from the Topsham Fair in Maine about some unique fair visits in IAFE Zone 1.

    3 Big Ideas for Growing the Fair (and Fairgrounds) of the Future

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2023 29:20


    Join Marla as she has a conversation with Garth Rogerson of the Red River Exhibition in Manitoba about "3 Big Ideas for Growing the Fair (and Fairgrounds) of the Future."

    2 Trends and 5 Tips for Grounds Entertainment

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2023 28:40


    Join Marla as she visits with Gary Berg to discuss "2 Trends and 5 Tips for Grounds Entertainment." 

    Marla's Travel Tips

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2022 18:24


    In this episode, Marla shares her travel tips with all. With her extensive travel experience, this special episode is one you won't want to miss.

    Three Things To Understand About Carnival Operations at Fairs

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2022 29:14


    Join Marla as she talks with Andy Deggeller of Deggeller Attractions about carnival operations. 

    Five Things To Know About the Mobile Concession Business Today

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2022 23:39


    Join Marla as she talks with IAFE Board Member and Concessionaire Kathy Ross of Ross Concessions.

    The Four Ways IAFE Has Helped Our County Fairs

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2022 28:03


    Join Marla as she chats with Cara Muhlenkamp and Kurt Palmer about how the IAFE has helped county fairs. 

    Keys to Strategic Planning Success

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2022 26:31


    Join Marla as she chats with Tim Carson of the Alberta Association of Agricultural Fairs.

    success keys strategic planning alberta association tim carson
    One Great Idea for a Local Community Partnership

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2022 24:17


    Join Marla as she visits with Michael Swartz of the McLean County Fair in Illinois to discuss one great idea for a local community partnership.

    The Top 4 Priorities for a Safe and Secure Fairgrounds Today

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2022 29:02


    Join Marla as she visits with Matt LaSchuma of the South Carolina State Fair to discuss "The Top 4 Priorities for a Safe and Secure Fairgrounds Today." 

    2 Critical Elements for Developing Impactful Relationships with Elected Officials

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2022 27:56


    Gregg Hartley of  Husch Blackwell Strategies as they discuss "2 Critical Elements for Developing Impactful Relationships with Elected Officials."

    The Six Metrics That Matter

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2022 33:39


    Marla talks with Ken Karns of the OC Fair & Event Center, Calif. 

    8 Themes for New Revenue Generation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2021 27:48


    Join IAFE President and CEO Marla Calico as she discusses 8 themes for new revenue generation.  This episode's guests include Scooter Korek with North American Midway Entertainment and Josh Woods with the Greater Gulf State Fair. 

    10 Years of YPI

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2021 29:09


    Join Marla Calico, President and CEO of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, as she discusses 10 years of YPI.  Special guests for this episode include Jennifer Cannon with the Iowa State Fair, Jennifer Dunn with the Linn County Fair in Iowa, Jennifer Giesike with the Washington Town and Country Fair in Missouri, and Scott Stoller with the Colorado State Fair.

    Five Pro Tips for Successful Grant Writing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2021 28:09


    Join special guest Beryl Wernberg of the Beltrami County Fair in Bemidji, Minnesota as she discusses five pro tips for successful grant writing!  Hosted by Marla Calico, CFE - president and CEO of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions.

    Top Three Strategies for Fulfilling Your Fair's Mission

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2021 28:33


    Join Marla Calico, President and CEO of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) as she discusses the top three strategies for fulfilling your fair's mission.  Special guest Chris Boleman, President and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo joins Marla for this engaging discussion.  Listen in!

    Five Things COVID Taught Us as a Leader

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2021 30:33


    Join Marla Calico, President and CEO of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) as she visits with five legends in the fair industry on the five things COVID taught them as leaders.  Marla is joined by Becky Brashear, CFE with the South Florida Fair & Palm Beach County Expositions Inc; Cindy Hoye, CFE with the Indiana State Fair; Marlene Jolliffe, CFE with the State Fair of Virginia; Gary Slater, CFE with the Iowa State Fair; and Nancy Smith, CFE with the South Carolina State Fair.

    Three Ideas for Restoring Consumer Confidence in Live Events

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2021 24:36


    Join IAFE President and CEO, Marla Calico as she visits with Geoff Hinds with the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond, Oregon.  This episode will explore three ideas for restoring consumer confidence in live events!  

    Three International Perspectives on Agricultural Fairs & Shows in 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2021 27:46


    Join IAFE President and CEO Marla Calico, CFE as she chats with 3 individuals to get an international perspective on agricultural fairs and shows in 2021.  Marla will be joined by Christina Franc with the Canadian Association of Fairs & Exhibitions, Chris Riddle with the Royal Cornwall Show (UK), and Dr. Rob Wilson of the Agricultural Shows Australia. 

    First Fairs of 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2021 30:13


    Join host Marla Calico, CFE - President and CEO of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions as she talks with Danny Alfonso with the Manatee County Fair in Florida and Vicki Chouris, CFE with the South Florida Fair & Palm Beach County Expositions Inc in Florida.  Danny and Vicki who led two of the first fairs held in 2021.

    Top 5 Things for Making the Most of Your IAFE Membership

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2020 24:43


    Join IAFE President and CEO Marla Calico, CFE as she speaks with Jo Reynolds, CFE of the Warren County Fair in Indianola, Iowa.  Jo and Marla will discuss the top 5 things for making the most of your IAFE membership!

    5 Ideas for Community Engagement

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2020 20:21


    Join Marla Calico, CFE President and CEO of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, as she discusses the 5 ideas of Community Engagement with Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew.  Dr. Booker-Drew is an author, founder and CEO of the Soulstice Consultancy and  the VP of Community Affairs and Strategic Alliances at State Fair of Texas. 

    Looking Ahead to 2021 - Top 4 Changes to Look for in Concerts & Entertainment At Fairs

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2020 30:55


    Join Marla Calico, President and CEO of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) with guests Mark Sparks and Clay Campbell with Triangle Talent.  The panel will discuss the top 4 changes to look for in concerts and entertainment at fairs in the future. 

    Top 3 Things to Think About When Producing a Virtual Fair or Virtual Livestock Show

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2020 28:15


    Join three experts from virtual fair technology Mike Hnatt and Jeffrey Palermo with ShoWorks and Spencer Shultz with Fair Vault as they discuss virtual fairs and livestock shows with Marla Calico, CEO of the International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE).  The panel will discuss the top 3 things fairs and shows should consider when producing a virtual fair or livestock show.

    5 Things I Learned Holding a Fair during a Pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2020 30:56


    Join IAFE President and CEO, Marla Calico as she meets with Danny Aguilar, CFE who is the  Assistant Manager of the Delaware State Fair.  Danny will discuss the five things he's learned while holding a fair during a pandemic.

    5-6-7-8. With The Health Department You Cannot Wait

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2020 26:32


    Listen with us as Marla Calico, President and CEO of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) discusses important factors for working with your local health department with special guest, Rey O'Day of the National Independent Concessionaires Association (NICA).  

    5 Best Practices for the Fair & Carnival Relationship: 2020 & Beyond

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2020 25:46


    Join IAFE President and CEO,, Marla Calico as she talks with Greg Chiecko,, President and CEO of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA).  Learn Greg's 5 best practices for cultivating and maintaining the fair-carnival relationship in 2020 and beyond.

    5 Things I Learned Holding a Virtual Fair During a Pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2020 28:38


    In this inaugural episode of "Marla by the Numbers", join Marla Calico, IAFE President and CEO as she visits with Alicia Shoults with the Ohio State Fair.  Alicia will discuss the five things she learned while holding a virtual fair during a pandemic.

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