Zone 5 Workshop Session 2 - Entertainment Roundtable Discussion

Karli serves as the Entertainment and Events Director for the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island, Nebraska. She has served in this capacity since June 2021. Prior to this position Karli interned at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron, South Dakota and the Red River Valley Fair in West Fargo, North Dakota in various capacities.

She is a graduate of North Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with a minor in Hospitality and Tourism Management and has a Master of Business Administration from New Mexico State University.

In addition to her work with the Nebraska State Fair, she is also active within the International Association of Fairs and Expos (IAFE) Institute of Fair Management Graduate Program. She is a member of Grand Island Young Professionals and serves on the Nebraska Travel Association Board and Grand Island Sports Council. Outside of work, Karli enjoys cooking, reading and traveling with friends and family.

Mark Gramm (Talent Buyer/Entertainment Producer)

• 2021 Romeo Entertainment Group; Agent and REG Service Representative
• 2016-PresentREG Service Representative
• 2000-PresentGramm Funeral Home; Owner and Funeral Director

Mark was born in Winner, SD. As a youngster, his family moved several times, as his dad was involved in education. In fact, he spent his middle years in Huron, SD where he worked his first job on the South Dakota State Fairgrounds. When he was twelve years old, he was paid by a vendor at the fair to work in his stand and this started his life-long love for fairs and entertainment.

Mark spent time living in Minneapolis before returning to South Dakota. He served on the Brown County Fair Board in Aberdeen, SD before moving to Ipswich, SD where he helped to restart the city's Annual Trail Days Festival by bringing in national touring acts.

Romeo Entertainment Group secured Mark to be an onsite service rep at concerts throughout the northern plains, central United States and the eastern Rocky Mountains several years ago. The knowledge he gained at fairs, festivals and rodeos as well as the relationships he has created in the music industry has been an invaluable resource for his events.

Mark was an active member of the Heartland Association of Fairs, Festivals and Events. He served on the board of directors and had served as President of the organization. He was awarded the Jack Hunter Award and was also inducted into the South Dakota Fairman’s Hall of Fame in 2015.

Having spent time performing comedy on stage, first with the comedy duo So & So and most recently opening shows for Williams and Ree, Mark knows entertainment from many angles and is always willing to help clients. His goal is to help clients create a trifecta experience…happy fans, happy artists and happy clients!

Jeremy Parsons’ professional life came full circle in 2023 when he was named CEO of the world-renowned Iowa State Fair.

He was first introduced to fair management in elementary school by writing a letter to then-Iowa State Fair Manager Marion Lucas.Since that moment, his life and fairs have intersected in a variety of ways, even during his initial career as a high school teacher and coach.

Starting when he was a teen, his 30 years of fair experience has included stints as a volunteer at the Decatur County Fair (IA), a seasonal employee at the Iowa and Missouri state fairs, executive director of the Missouri State Fair Foundation, and CEO/Manager of the Clay County Fair in Spencer, Iowa.

An active community and fair industry advocate, Parsons currently serves on the Catch Des Moines Board, the Iowa Tourism Advisory Group, and the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) Foundation Board.He served as Chairman of the IAFE in 2022 and is past president of the Mid-West Fairs Association.

Originally from Leon, Iowa, he has four priorities in life, which he attempts to keep in the proper order -- faith, family, the Chicago Cubs, and fairs.He and his beautiful wife Kelsi have three sons.

LaMonna Galyon, a native of Abilene, Kansas, graduated from Abilene High School in 1982. Her journey into the entertainment industry began at Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas, where she majored in Broadcasting, laying the groundwork for her future career.

Family is at the heart of LaMonna's life. She has been married to her husband, Chris, for thirty-seven years, and they are proud parents to four grown children and seven grandchildren. Their family embodies a diverse tapestry of careers: two of their sons, Taylor and Riley, have chosen paths in the construction industry, inspired by their father, while the other two thrive in the vibrant Nashville music scene. Their daughter, Nicolle, is a singer-songwriter and CEO of the Songs and Daughters record label. Meanwhile, their son, Cooper, embraces his role as a producer, sound engineer, musician, and songwriter at Broken Door Studios.

LaMonna cherishes her family's dynamic blend of talents, creating a rich and well-rounded environment that celebrates creativity and hard work.

Since 2018, LaMonna has been behind the entertainment at the Kansas State Fair, serving as the Entertainment Coordinator. In this role, she works closely with General Manager Bryan Schulz to set budgets, secure top-notch entertainment, and oversee productions for various events, including the Grandstand, free stages, and grounds attractions. Her journey to this position began in 2015, when she worked primarily with the KansasFairgrounds Foundation, a role that prepared her for her current responsibilities.

Since I was a young girl, I've embraced the music industry with passion. When people say I have the best job, I wholeheartedly agree!