Carrie Jensen on Fostering Meaningful Partner Relationships

By Katie Scrivano

Wisconsin Meetings (WM) recently spoke with Carrie Jensen, an event manager and certified meeting professional for the League of Wisconsin Municipalities.

WM: What motivated you to get involved in meeting and event planning, and how has it translated to your current success?

CJ: In high school, growing up in St. Charles, Ill., I had an opportunity to participate in a a co-op program, was placed in the meetings department and loved it from the start. I earned my degree in elementary education, but once I started in the event industry, I never looked back!

WM: What sets you apart from other event planners?

CJ: I’d say the audience for which I plan events. League of Wisconsin Municipalities members are cities and villages throughout the state, and include mayors, city administrators and attorneys. We’re seeing a lot of change happening. Our members are looking for a mixture of in-person and online events, so we’re looking to create that balance in our offerings.

WM: Describe one of the meetings or events you’re most proud of and why.

CJ: We just celebrated the league’s 125th anniversary at our 125th annual conference in Green Bay and had a blast. From the staff dinner the night before, to the birthday celebration with live music, fantastic appetizers, carving stations and cake on the final night — it was a flawless celebration. I was proud to work with all of our partners to make it a success. From internal staff to Discover Green Bay and Hyatt Regency Green Bay staff to our members, it was a special celebration.

WM: What’s a unique thing you do when planning an event?

CJ: I do my very best to remember hotel staff names. I take lots of notes during events, but look for hotel staff who have great attitudes, and go above and beyond, and leave them handwritten thank-you notes with monetary gifts if my budget allows.

WM: How are virtual and hybrid events faring in the near and long term?

CJ: We’re using virtual (no hybrid) for some trainings and free monthly roundtables. It’s a great way to reach a large audience. Our free monthly roundtables provide a forum for our members to learn from one another. For us, they are growing in popularity, especially for our smaller municipalities or those in the northern part of Wisconsin. I foresee this trend continuing in both the near and long term, but you can never replicate the benefit of in-person events.

WM: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced over your event planning tenure?

CJ: Managing stress and anxiety. I’m a big anticipatory anxiety gal, so I must proactively work to keep it at bay before events. I utilize many cognitive behavior therapy strategies and practice self-care after events.

WM: What are you striving for in today’s event landscape?

CJ: Better, more transparent conversations and relationships with event partners. I strive to build great relationships, which often turn into friendships.