Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer, Doug
Lofstrom has been with the OC Fair & Event Center since 2000 and has held
key leadership positions including Vice President of Events, Director of Planning
& Project Management, Director of Operations and Interim Equestrian Center
Manager.
Prior to joining the OCFEC team, Doug had 20 years of
experience serving in executive leadership roles at the Los Angeles County
Fair, National Orange Show and the Farmers Fair of Riverside County. Doug is
also past president of Western Fairs Association and recipient of the Western
Fairs Association Hall of Fame. Prior to entering the industry, Doug was
assistant vice president at Provident Federal Savings and Loan.
Doug has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from California
State Polytechnic University in Pomona. Doug resides in Newport Beach with his
wife Nancy.
Michele Richards is the OC Fair & Event Center's Chief
Business Development Officer, leading the Sales, Marketing, Communications,
Community Relations and Creative Services teams. She has been with the
organization since 2002.
Michele has more than 30 years of leadership experience in a
variety of fields including advertising/marketing, organizational development,
sales and human resources, including over 15 years managing her own consulting
practice.
Michele is a graduate of the University of Georgia with
degrees in Journalism and Business. She lives in Laguna Niguel with her husband
Matt, and two daughters, Lanie and Claire.
In this episode, Doug Lofstrom and Michele Richards of the
OC Fair & Event Center talk about the success of their fair and venue in
spite of much competition for entertainment dollars in their area, including
Disneyland! They talk about how they have stayed true to their brand and
position their marketing to the “moment in time” aspect of the fair and speak
about staying “ahead of the curve” with a continually evolving marketing mix. Discover
the very simple philosophy of the fair and how this helps them be the best they
can be!