Expert Profile: Jen Kramer
Experienced Event Planning Expert and Philanthropist
Jen Kramer, a highly skilled and dedicated Sales Manager at Access DMC in Chicago, boasts an impressive 30 years of experience in the dynamic world of hospitality and event planning. Throughout her illustrious career, Jen has held various pivotal roles in renowned organizations, including the City of Chicago - Mayor's Office of Special Events, the Chicago Park District, Navy Pier, and DePaul University. Her extensive background spans a diverse range of responsibilities, from directing events and managing entertainment to overseeing marketing initiatives. With a deep-rooted passion for celebrations and entertainment as powerful business tools, Jen has consistently demonstrated her ability to drive revenue growth and exceed client expectations.
A Chicago native through and through, Jen's unwavering commitment extends beyond her professional endeavors. For over two decades, she has proudly served as a board member for Special Olympics Chicago, actively contributing to fundraising efforts for this esteemed charity. Outside of the office, Jen finds solace and inspiration along Chicago's breathtaking lakefront. Whether she's donning her running shoes for a lakeside jog or exploring the city's vibrant neighborhoods on her bike, Jen's love for her hometown shines through. Her quest for hidden culinary gems further underscores her affinity for Chicago's diverse and thriving restaurant scene.
Delivering Unforgettable Experiences
As a Sales Manager at Access DMC, Jen derives great pleasure from engaging with clients and unveiling the wonders that make Chicago a truly exceptional destination. While the city's iconic attractions are widely known, Jen's expertise lies in highlighting the exceptional and specialized service providers, vendors, and business professionals that set Chicago apart. Leveraging her insider knowledge and problem-solving prowess, she goes above and beyond to ensure that each client's expectations are not only met but exceeded. Embodying the spirit of "the City that Works," Jen's dedication to creating experiences that surprise, delight, and fulfill every aspect of her clients' vision is unparalleled.
Jen's career has been punctuated by a defining moment that showcased her exceptional skills in crisis management. During her tenure as a City employee, she played a pivotal role in handling the crisis surrounding the 2007 Chicago Marathon, which had to be canceled mid-event due to extreme heat and humidity levels. Her exceptional logistical and operational abilities proved instrumental in effectively managing this challenging situation. Recognized as a model for emergency preparedness in large-scale events worldwide, Jen takes immense pride in the significant contribution she made to the successful resolution of multiple catastrophic crises that day.
From spearheading the Chicago White Sox World Series Parade in 2005 to organizing the Chicago Blackhawks' first Stanley Cup Parade on Michigan Avenue, Jen holds a deep sense of pride in these unforgettable moments of triumph. Moreover, she celebrates the resounding success of Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest and the remarkable growth of the Special Olympics Chicago Polar Plunge, which has experienced exponential participation and fundraising over its 20-year history. These achievements exemplify Jen's unwavering dedication to creating and executing events that leave a lasting impact on attendees and the community at large.
Resilience, Innovation, and Reimagined Experiences
Reflecting on the future of the event and meeting planning industry, Jen believes that resilience is the key takeaway from the pandemic. She holds an optimistic outlook for the road ahead. Jen envisions a future filled with excitement, innovation, and fresh ideas that will reshape the landscape of events and meetings. As professionals adapt, reimagine, and reinvent themselves and their offerings, she believes the industry will continue to deliver remarkable and awe-inspiring experiences that exceed expectations and leave a lasting impact.
Jen Kramer is hosting the '40 Ideas To Make Your Holiday Party Stand Out' session during Holidays In July, our Planner Master Class event on July 25th. Make sure to register for the event HERE.
What To Expect At Our Next Planner Master Class
By Elena Martin - Ateema's Director of Events
As part of Ateema’s upcoming Holidays in July event on July 25, not only will planners have the opportunity to get ahead of the game with inspirational ideas for your holiday gatherings, we also plan to offer two educational sessions that will keep you on the cutting edge.
Read on to learn more about these sessions and Register HERE for the event today.Â
Transforming Events: The Impact of Generative AI on the Meetings and Event Industry
Join University of Chicago Clinical Professor & Chief Scientist, Dr. Utku Pamuksuz, as he takes the mystery out of how event planners can benefit from using AI to enhance their work. Generative AI has the potential to revolutionize the event planning industry. In this session, event planners will be encouraged to explore its practical applications and benefits.
By leveraging Generative AI, event planners can enhance creativity, engagement, and overall event experiences. This technology enables the use of interactive chatbots and tailored content generation, providing real-time information, personalized recommendations, and immersive interactions for attendees.
The session emphasizes the importance of maintaining the human touch in event planning, utilizing AI as a valuable tool alongside human expertise. By attending this session, event planners will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively incorporate Generative AI into their strategies, paving the way for a future where this transformative technology reshapes the landscape of event planning.
40 Ideas to Make Your Holiday Party Stand Out
Panelists:
Dayna Malow, CEO, Live Art International, Inc.
Linda Whitlock, President, Corporate Event Interactive, Inc.
Andrew Brode, President, AV Chicago
You might be feeling a little stuck on how to make your business’ holiday party stand out this year, especially with employee downsizing and shrinking budgets. You are not alone! In this session, planners will hear from industry experts on best practices to make their holiday parties memorable. Topics will include developing the event look and feel, creating engaging experiences, unique catering ideas, consideration of cross-cultural elements, cutting edge audio visual production, and team building activities. Participants will walk away with an actionable list of ideas to incorporate into their own holiday celebrations.Â
Ateema Media & Marketing has been approved by the Events Industry Council (EIC) as a Preferred Provider of the below-listed continuing education courses, which qualify for CMP continuing education credit. Determination of continuing education credit eligibility or Preferred Provider status does not imply EIC’s endorsement or assessment of education quality.Â
Get inspired for your next holiday events at Ateema’s next Planner Master Class. Register HEREÂ