Trade association marketer and event manager with more than 16 years experience producing events for as few as nine committee members to more than 40,000 outdoor enthusiasts, both in the U.S. and abroad. Board governance, program management, member recruitment, engagement and retention. Specialties: Marketing Communications, Strategic Marketing, Member Recruitment, Member Engagement, Member Retention, Governance, Event Management, International Marketing, International Events, Media Relations, Dealer Relations, Creative Features & Promotions, Contract Negotiations, Budget Management, Strategic Partnerships, Annual Marketing Plan, Content Management, Coaching, Social Media, Project Management, Experienced Manager

Vice President, Association Marketing & Membership @ Communicating the value of NMMA membership, programs and services to members in the recreational boating industry. Manage all membership and program marketing functions including member relations, recruitment and engagement. From May 2015 to Present (8 months) Greater Chicago AreaAssociation Marketing Director @ Responsible for marketing association programs and services. Manage all membership functions at NMMA including marketing, member relations, membership sales and services ensuring that NMMA members feel their investment into our organization is a significant value. From October 2013 to Present (2 years 3 months) Consumer Boat & Sportshow Manager @ • Manage two leading industry consumer events, Progressive Insurance Minneapolis Boat Show (35,000 attendees, 220 exhibiting companies); Progressive Insurance Northwest Sportshow (40,000 attendees, 600 exhibiting companies, 50+ seminars and special features). • Responsible for managing event budgets. • Develop marketing plans, special features, seminars, public relations plans and innovative promotions for both events. • Coordinate partnerships with media, sponsors, supportive associations and social groups to further promote events. • Frequently work with local and national trade media to develop story angles and act as the local boating spokesperson for both shows and industry initiatives. • Manage social media presence for both shows on Facebook and Twitter, write e-newsletters and develop content for event websites. • Oversee all sales, operations and vendor relations activities for both events including facility, hotel, and catering contract negotiations. • Develop and analyze results from exhibitor and attendee surveys to continuously improve events. • Act as project manager for all 20 Official Show Guides for NMMA's consumer event portfolio with publisher TRMG based in the United Kingdom. From April 2005 to September 2013 (8 years 6 months) Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul AreaDirector, Trade Events @ • Co-directed and managed two leading industry trade events, IBEX (5,200 attendees, 800 exhibiting companies, 60+ educational sessions); MAATS (2,000 attendees, 300 exhibiting companies, 1,500 privately scheduled meetings). • Negotiated with outside event vendors, contractors, convention centers, hotels, speaker bureaus, entertainment brokers and media. • Coordinated and managed event committees of industry professionals to plan a comprehensive technical conference program. • Developed targeted and successful B2B marketing campaigns for events utilizing print and electronic media. • Created and managed individual event budgets as well as department budget. • Designed and analyzed event surveys and presented results to Board and planning committees. • Staff liaison to the Accessory Manufacturers Division (750+ member companies) of NMMA; organized and facilitated all Board meetings as well as numerous committees falling under this division. • Supervised association's International Marketing programs and events. From April 2003 to April 2005 (2 years 1 month) Sr. Project Manager @ • Responsible for the international marketing activities of the association including the organization of U.S.A. Pavilions and meetings at industry shows worldwide in Amsterdam, Düsseldorf, Shanghai, Tokyo and Dubai, this included the organization of hotel blocks, freight service, catering and reception sites. • Integral part of the Trade Events team managing aspects of the BoatBuilding and MAATS shows produced by NMMA. From June 1999 to March 2003 (3 years 10 months)

MBA, Marketing @ Augsburg College From 2011 to 2013 BA, Marketing Communications @ California Lutheran University From 1996 to 1999 Patrick Henry High School From 1990 to 1993 Jennifer Thompson is skilled in: Event Management, Event Marketing, Marketing Communications, Social Media, Creative Problem Solving, Event Execution, Conference Management, Trade Show Management, International Events, Marketing Strategy, Sponsorship, Experiential Marketing, Public Relations, Association Management, Supervisory Experience