The Kansas State Fair board announced it has named Bryan Schulz as the organization’s new general manager during its virtual board meeting, July 14. He will start his post Aug. 2. Schulz will replace current interim general manager Ed Berger, who stepped into the role Oct. 26.

NEW GENERAL MANAGER: The Kansas State Fair Board named Bryan Schulz as new general manager at its virtual board meeting July 14.

Harmon Bliss, president of the Kansas State Fair Board, says he was excited about Schulz’s appointment and says his leadership of the Red River Valley Fair in North Dakota, and his professional certification in fair management, promise to take the Kansas State Fair to new heights.

Fair experience

Schulz is a 1991 graduate of North Dakota State University, with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications, speech and animal science. Bryan was most recently the general manager of the Las Cruces Convention Center, a 55,000-square-foot, multi-use convention facility in Las Cruces, N.M.

Prior to this, Schultz served as the executive vice president and general manager of the Red River Valley Fair Association in West Fargo, N.D., from January 2008 to December 2019.

In addition to his work with the Red River Valley Fair Association, Schulz was also active within the International Association of Fairs and Expos, where he graduated from the Institute of Fair Management in 2012 and received his certified fair executive designation in 2013. He was a member of the North Dakota Association of Fairs board of directors from 2011 to 2019, and served as president in 2016.

Schulz served as a West Fargo city commissioner for eight years, where he served as vice mayor for two years, and was a member of the 119th Fighter Wing of the North Dakota Air National Guard. He is active in the community, serving on several committees and boards.

2021 Kansas State Fair

The Kansas State Fair will once again be held in Hutchinson Sept. 10-19, following a year off in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers the chance to celebrate all things Kansas with the best food, products, information and entertainment from all over the state. Every day offers thrills and a fun combination of old and new attractions. Whether your interests lie in outdoor recreation, agriculture, food, art, technology or entertainment, you will find something to excite your senses and your imagination at the 2021 Kansas State Fair. Learn more at kansasstatefair.com.