How long have you worked in the industry?
I am new to the industry but not new to managing spaces. Before joining USI, I was a Workstation Technology and Wellbeing Consultant for over ten years with Steelcase, a furniture manufacturer for offices, hospitals, and classrooms. I sold products that helped people move, think, and feel better at work. We managed solutions that brought digital connectivity to workstations, space reservation devices for conference rooms, and promoted wellbeing at work. I managed clients across many verticals including healthcare and education.
What are you most excited or passionate about? What are the goals you most want to accomplish in your work?
I want to improve my client’s workflows and reduce the stress related to managing, planning, and tracking events. Time is precious. We are all being asked to do more with less. If I can give my clients back some time each day by providing them with an event and registration tool that eases their workload, I will consider it a success.
How and why did you end up working in the events industry? What attracted you to work in this business?
Along with my Steelcase experience, I was a media relations and public relations manager at BJC Healthcare for six (6) years. I then spent fifteen (15) years selling medical devices that ranged from disposable and implantable solutions to medical imaging software and capital equipment.
The common thread throughout each of these positions is relating to and helping others. I love people and interacting with them, whether it’s one-on-one or in large groups at conferences. The idea of representing a solution that helps bring us all back together again after the last couple years of relative isolation was very appealing. I really wanted to pursue something in the software industry, which continues to grow despite the recent economic challenges.
Is there a specific project you’ve worked on in your career that you’re most proud of? Why did it mean so much to you?
For me, it’s been more about the lasting relationships with customers and colleagues than any one project. That’s what endures. I will say, however, that early in my professional life, our team won awards at Barnes Hospital for our crisis management/media relations regarding a “right-to-die” case. Balancing the patient’s and family’s privacy with the media’s “right-to-know” was a delicate line, but I think we succeeded on both fronts.
I am also very proud of starting two new sales territories for a medical device company, first in Atlanta and then St. Louis—developing both from the ground up to be the top producing territories, respectively.
What are some lessons you’ve learned in the event industry?
That we need events. We need to come together because as human beings, we are inherently social. We enjoy real-time, shared experiences. The last couple of years have been a stark reminder of that. I’ve also learned that it can be a complex process to successfully plan and execute an event. What looks easy to the attendee represents countless hours of work by the events team. I’m glad to be a part of something that can help them with that.
What do you like most about working for Ungerboeck?
Just like real estate where it’s all about location, location, location, it’s all about the people, the people, the people at Ungerboeck. Everyone is smart and hardworking, yet very approachable. We’re a lot like our software: Smart, hardworking, but user friendly.
What are 3 words to describe Ungerboeck?
Passionate
Personable
Innovative
What’s on your Wish List for the next 10 years at Ungerboeck?
To continue to grow in my knowledge of the events space, especially as it pertains to education and healthcare. And to take that knowledge and evangelize how Ungerboeck can help make the work easier for the community of event planners, directors, and organizers. A work/life balance is important. Ungerboeck can help with that.
When you think of the future of the events industry, what do you think will be the “next thing(s)” we are all talking about? What should we be concerned or worried about?
No doubt we must make the health and safety of everyone a priority. How do we plan and manage successful events, while maintaining the increased health standards?
I also think we have to help our clients execute and track their events like a business and make it easy to do that. There is existing “space” available now more than ever because of the pandemic. People aren’t returning to work that quickly and even then it may be more of a “hoteling” situation. So, what do you do with all that space? We can help clients “monetize” that space, generating revenue to contribute to their bottom line.
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
I beat Brad Pitt for “Best Actor” while at the University of Missouri during the Greek Week skits. I think Brad recovered.”