December 2022 - Rachel Jackson

Rachel Jackson Director of Hosted Buyer Experience Team Connect Meetings Member since February 2022 rjackson@connectmeetings.com

MPI Georgia extends a warm welcome to Rachel Jackson, Director of Hosted Buyer Experience Team at Connect Meetings. She became a member in February and joined with encouragement of her company's Vice President, but she got involved because of the wonderful leadership! Rachel fondly recalls how Carla Carroll specifically helped her get started and super involved in the chapter. At Connect Meetings, she and her team work closely with wonderful, qualified planners to get them applied and fully registered for their Connect Marketplace Events. At this reverse-style tradeshow planners and suppliers speed date to get business done. Rachel is currently working on recruiting for Connect Meetings’ 2023 shows. “Our biggest event is held at the Venetian in Las Vegas in April and our largest show in Minneapolis is in August!”

Rachel’s first job in the meeting industry was as a wedding coordinator, but she really wanted to get into corporate events. Her first “big girl job” in events was at a small incubator/coworking space in Marietta called IgniteHQ. “I loved working with different companies to come in and get their meeting and events set up and organized. What stood out most to me was the people I worked with.” Rachel also learned to always be prepared for change. “Nothing is ever perfect or runs 100% smoothly, but if you're able to adapt you'll be just fine!”

On a personal note, Rachel could not go a day without her dogs. “They’re what keeps me calm in all of the crazy (even when they’re crazy)!” She is also an avid reader and would easily recommend her favorite book, “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens. “I would 1000% recommend it - it's got suspense, love and everything you need!” Lastly, if Rachel won $10 million in the lottery, she would pay off several of her loved one’s mortgages, giving back to the community, and explore the world. She would love to vacation in Europe, especially all over Italy.