Skip Navigation LinksEvents > Zone 5 Meeting > Zone 5 Meeting Workshop Session 1 - Navigating the Difficult Vendor/Sponsor

Zone 5 Meeting Workshop Session 1 - Navigating the Difficult Vendor/Sponsor

Date: Mar 01, 2025

Time: 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM

Location(s):

Wichita Mariott

WICHITA BALLROOM

Category(s):

Zone 5 Meeting

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:

Take a deep dive with our panelist as we explore the challenges that can arise as we work with our vendors/sponsors. Come with your questions for a interactive discussion to help navigate solutions to many existing issues we all share with in the industry. Examples: Following rules/guidelines & the confrontational vendor/sponsor.

MODERATOR

TINA EVANS - KANSAS STATE FAIR

Tina is the Sponsorship & Special Events Coordinator for the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson, Kansas and has been in this capacity since May of 2022.Tina has over 30 years experience in various capacities of Customer Service. She is a mom of 2 grown boys and was the High School’s Site council president for 6 years. Tina also served on the Relay for Life committee in Reno County Kansas for over 13 years, 6 of those years as Co-Event Chairman, and Boy Scouts of America Committee Member, Adult Leader, and Merit Badge Counselor for a Hutchinson Kansas Troop for over 16 years.

In addition to her work with the Kansas State Fair, she is currently on the International Association of Fairs and Expos (IAFE) Sponsorship Committee, enrolled in the Institute of Fair Management (IFM) and is a Hutchinson Chamber Ambassador. She also serves her community by being on the Downtown Promotions Committee and is apart of the Downtown Coalition Committee. She has a long history of Sponsorship & Special Events throughout her career as mom and through her community. Outside of work, Tina enjoys reading and traveling with friends and family. Plus, she is a HUGE supporter of the Air Force which her youngest son is currently serving.

PANELISTS

NATHAN MCCLANAHAN - KANSAS STATE FAIR

Nathan L. McClanahan [KSF] is a motivated growth marketer with a background in sales lead generation with 10+ years of experience in hotel sales and State Fairs. Eager to provide leadership excellence to help expand a customer base and increase revenues. The Kansas State Fair welcomed over 328,714 visitors in 2024. A record-breaking number of over 135 sponsors invested a dedicated presence as well. A record breaking $283,606 was generated in corporate group sales in his first year.

Nathan has strong planning skills combined with the ability to coordinate the efforts of many to meet organizational goals. Self-motivator with high energy! He will have you saying GO CHIEFS!!!

KEATON IRWIN - NEBRASKA STATE FAIR

Keaton Irwin has been the Director of Sales at the Nebraska State Fair for the past four years, where he’s lucky enough to work with amazing vendors and help bring the Fair to life. A proud Iowa Hawkeyes fan, Keaton can usually be found yelling at the TV during game day—or quietly chasing lost golf balls on the course when he’s not at work. He loves being part of the Fair team and helping create memorable experiences for everyone who attends.

AMANDA GRIESHEIMER - WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIR
Amanda Griesheimer is the Marketing Director at the Washington Town & Country Fair in Washington, Missouri. She has managed the commercial exhibits at the Fair since being hired as the Fair Assistant in 2008, despite her efforts to turn the task over to someone else 😊 Amanda graduated from the IAFE’s Institute of Fair Management in 2015 and earned her CFE in 2016. She spends her spare time cheering on her three kids (Dayton – 17, Tucker – 14, and Shiloh – 5) at endless swim meets and music lessons, and reviewing the weekly taxi schedule with her husband, Aaron.

GREG DIXON - COWLEY COUNTY FAIR
I am happily married to my wife Shelley and have two daughters Charly and Kacie along with their spouses and 4 grandchildren Pyper, Kooper, Tukker and Ember ageing 16 to 5. The grandchildren are already helping me at the fair, so I am beginning the next generation of fair board members. My love for the fair began when I was younger and in 4H and FFA. I was able to help the fair board with events while I was participating during the fair, and I believe that’s where my love for the industry began. I retired from the Kansas Department of Transportation as Aera Superintendent with 30 years of service and now focus on my cow calf operation. I’ve served on the Cowley County Fair Association for 32 years in Winfield, Kansas. I feel the main reason I continue to be a part of the fair is the youth, I like them to have good memorable experiences.

LIBBY NELSON - FOUNDATION DIRECTOR, OZARK EMPIRE FAIRGROUNDS

With five years of dedicated service as the Foundation Director of the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, Libby brings a wealth of diverse experience and unwavering passion to her role. Her professional journey includes a strong foundation in custom home building, commercial concrete work as a laborer, project plans specialist, and bid proposal expert, as well as psychiatric nursing—fields that have sharpened her compassionate leadership and problem-solving skills.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Libby is a proud mother and grandmother who cherishes her family and the life she’s built with her significant other, Ryan Thater. Together, they enjoy running their hay operation and cattle farm, where they share a deep connection to the land and its rewards. She finds great joy in her career and embraces every aspect of it with enthusiasm and commitment.

A natural leader and visionary, Libby Nelson is committed to fostering the growth and impact of the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, ensuring its place as a vital pillar of the community.

Items

Zone 5 Meeting Workshop Session 1 - Navigating the Difficult Vendor/Sponsor

ADD TO Google Calendar Outlook Calendar

Mar 01, 2025 | 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM