Sichra

Brittany Sichra has lived in Marshalltown most of her life and wants to see it continue to grow and prosper. Earlier this month, she assumed duties as the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce’s event and tourism coordinator — a newly created position.

Sichra holds an Associate’s degree from Marshalltown Community College and is in the process of completing her Bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a focus in marketing, from Iowa State University.

“We had a great opportunity to add her as a part-time position while she finishes up school with the intention that this becomes full-time after she graduates, but also allows us as an organization to kind of dip our toes in the water on the cost of adding this position over the course of this year,” Chamber President/CEO John Hall said.

He noted that this position would help supplement and enhance what his staff already is doing.

“The challenge that we’re running into is capacity of our team, and so by adding this position, picking up some of the events pieces, we think that there’s opportunities to add some new signature events for our organization that not only will be revenue generators, but also are going to be serving some needs,” Hall said. “On the tourism side, we’re starting to see more and more activity coming our way. Having somebody who can help facilitate as a project manager will be an opportunity for us to take advantage of the events and activities that are coming our way and making sure that we’re not having to turn anything away because we just don’t have the capacity to manage it all.”

Sichra’s roots in the community run deep. While she was born in Georgia, she’s lived in Marshalltown since she was a baby. She excelled in volleyball all four years at MHS.

While she originally had planned to pursue physical therapy at Kirkwood College, she transferred to MCC to complete her Associate’s degree and rekindle her love of volleyball thanks to MCC Head Volleyball Coach Chris Brees.

“I credit a lot of my character with him,” she said. “He helped build me as a player and as a person too.”

She’s volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters and helps out at Lillie Mae Chocolates. She attends ISU virtually and is expected to finish her degree in the summer of 2025.

“I have developed skills in communication, teamwork, problem solving and time management, which I apply to my current and future roles,” she said. “I expect to work with leaders in my team to showcase Marshalltown in a beautiful way. I’m looking forward to cheering on the growth in our town every chance I get.”

Hall noted that she would work with Tourism Director Dylan Does on various assignments.

“His job is to be the salesman for a lot of the new events and activities and even the existing ones — working on the big picture,” Hall said. “Brittany’s job is going to be much more like a project manager — boots on the ground — assisting events looking for venue space, hotel contacts, caterers, things like that.”

Sichra will help put together hospitality materials along with being a greeter and overall resource.

“She would be that person that could man those booths and act as the welcome wagon for our community,” he added. “Brittany will allow for Sarah Smith (Chamber membership and communications director) to scale back on her obligations with events and have Brittany step into that role.”

Hall said the Chamber picked the ideal candidate for this new job.

“The work we do day-to-day doesn’t require a certain degree or certain skill set prior to coming in — it’s more about the disposition of character and whether somebody understands the value of the community that we’re trying to build,” Hall said. “It was clear from some of our initial meetings with Brittany that she wants to make Marshalltown better in whatever role that she is sitting in.”

She can be reached at bsichra@marshalltown.org.