As marketing director of the Missouri State Fair, Kari Mergen leads the charge, overseeing all aspects of strategic development including budget, creative, media and public relations activities, social media and event planning for the greatest ten days in Missouri. The fair is Missouri’s largest agricultural expo, showcasing the best of Missouri’s agriculture, agribusiness, domestic and fine arts.

Kari began her career as an educator, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Central Missouri and becoming a high school English and journalism teacher. However, she later joined the marketing team for the Fair, where she has gained more than twelve years of experience in the industry. Her love for education runs deep and she continues to pursue her passion through mentoring numerous interns at the fair each year, providing young marketers with experience and knowledge in an engaging and unique environment.

Learn about Kari’s managerial motto and hear what Cliff and Kari have to say about reaching multiple target audiences at once, welcoming new ideas and fresh perspectives and the importance of continuously learning as a professional. Listen now!

What you’ll learn:

• Kari shares her personal and professional motto: Trust but confirm
• The unique, collaborative effort that the Fair industry provides
• Kari’s views on professional development and welcoming new perspectives
• The value of knowing your target market and the unique challenge of defining the Fair’s target audience
• Kari shares her passion for educating and mentoring young professionals
• Tips that Kari believes are essential to developing a collaborative and strategic team
• Why Kari lives and loves the rural American lifestyle and what it means to her
• Kari’s thoughts on the evolution of media and how these changes affect the Fair’s marketing efforts