- Wine Tasting
- Learning new cooking techniques and expanding my culinary skills
- Documenting and sharing travel experiences
- Passionate about balancing physical health with mental and emotional wellness
Jeanette Delatorre
Chicago,IL
Summary
Dynamic program and event management professional with extensive experience in assessing client and organizational needs, forging strategic partnerships, and delivering impactful outcomes. Expertise in planning and executing engaging client events that enhance brand visibility and foster strong relationships. Proven ability to anticipate requirements and potential challenges, developing effective contingency plans while streamlining communication for seamless operations. Recognized for motivating teams, managing vendors, and consistently achieving exceptional results through a calm, service-oriented approach.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Marketing Events Specialist
Katten
Chicago, IL
02.2024 - Current
- Lead planning and execution of high-profile client and firm events, including VIP programs, golf retreats, multi-day conferences, and full-day seminars.
- Partner with firm leadership and business development teams to design strategic events that strengthen client relationships and enhance brand positioning.
- Oversee all event logistics—from concept development and budgeting to vendor management, onsite production, and post-event reporting.
- Manage firm’s event calendar and ensure alignment with practice group goals, marketing initiatives, and client engagement strategies.
- Implement creative event experiences and brand activations that elevate client perception.
- Supervise vendor and venue negotiations, contracts, and compliance with firm policies and brand standards.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with communications, design, and digital teams to ensure seamless event promotion and execution.
Marketing Events Specialist
Katten
Chicago, IL
02.2022 - 02.2024
- Oversee and manage practice-related client events, including virtual events, sponsorships, and high-profile programs.
- Implement event best practices and track key metrics, including post-event data analysis.
- Cultivate and manage sponsorship relationships, ensuring fulfillment of benefits and deliverables.
- Create event invitations, manage mailing lists, and coordinate both on-site and virtual event logistics.
- Develop and manage budgets for Marketing and Business Development teams and stakeholders.
- Advise on event design and oversee creative deliverables, including branded materials and presentations.
- Source and coordinate branded event giveaways and client gifts.
- Research, select, and maintain relationships with venues and vendors to ensure premium event experiences.
Event Marketing Specialist
Foley & Lardner
Chicago, IL
01.2017 - 01.2022
- Managed and executed projects as assigned by the Event Marketing Manager with focus on how to enhance performance, ensure continuous improvement, and quality service delivery.
- Led business development for key industry groups to enhance market base and ROI.
- Negotiated and executed contracts for both large and small scale events while ensuring adequate evaluation of ROI for all events.
- Oversaw day-to-day planning and execution of client facing events hosted by the firm, including pre and post-event communications.
- Collaborated across greater marketing departments to contribute with creative design elements, agenda development, and communications including event invitation.
- Cultivated and maintained strong relationships with hoteliers and vendors to drive business growth in support of the broader organization’s vision.
Meeting & Event Manager
W Chicago Lakeshore Hotel
Chicago, IL
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Monitored all contractual agreements pertaining to meeting space, food & beverage, and special concession for 300+ groups.
- Maintained strong client relations and ensured that convention specifications are communicated and executed for a successful meeting experience.
- Oversaw convention activities on-site to ensure accurate and timely execution of convention arrangements.
- Maximized food and beverage revenues from assigned groups by solicitation of affiliate business and upselling.
- Forecasted group F&B revenues for assigned groups and affiliates within a 5% variance.
Meeting & Event Manager
Sheraton Grand Chicago
Chicago, IL
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Monitored and enforced program deadline dates while working with client to release meeting space not needed to maximize hotel revenues.
- Produced and distributed convention resume and communicated changes by updating information to hotel departments.
- Leveraged working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, ISAC, Delphi, Meeting Matrix, Galaxy/LightSpeed and StarGuest to deliver impeccable customer service.
Executive Meeting Specialist
Sheraton Grand Chicago
Chicago, IL
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Acted as a liaison between Meeting Professionals/Catering Customers and all operating departments to ensure a high standard of organization and guest service throughout all convention and banquet meeting areas.
- Achieved continuous positive customer experience by spending 95% of each day interacting with meeting professionals and their a endees on how best to deliver services.
- Provided daily support to Convention Services Managers to ensure effective operation.
Banquet Captain
Horseshoe Casino
Hammond, IN
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Communicated constantly with banquet supervisor, catering coordinator, and director of catering to coordinate activities and enhance efficiency.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure changes in schedules are communicated.
- Supervised Banquet Serving staff including: servers, bartenders, and stewards to ensure consistency in service approaches/strategy.
- Engaged Banquet Chef to confirm quantities of food items and timing of food leaving the kitchen to effectively execute services in a timely manner.
- Scheduled staff as necessary to ensure adequate and consistent levels of service to meet customers’ requests from the beginning of the event to end.
Sales and Catering Intern
Horseshoe Casino
Hammond, IN
01.2013 - 01.2013
- Developed menus for events/banquets and participated in off-premises catering.
- Designed banquet event orders and conducted sales comparisons and inquiries.
Student Employee - Office of Campus Life
Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN
01.2009 - 01.2013
- Provided computer tutorials of the University website during group and individual sessions.
- Collaborated with academic advisors and educate students on how to schedule classes to enhance academic excellence.
- Worked with other faculty on campus to develop best practices for orientation sessions.
- Led orientation for groups of up to 100 students on campus at a time and advised on purposeful engagement to drive success.
Vice-President-College Mentors for Kid
Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Communicated with headquarters and state-wide chapters to share ideas and success stories.
- Worked alongside other departments and student organizations to develop activities.
- Mentored elementary to enrich their future college life.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Hospitality & Tourism Management
Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN01.2013
Skills
- Event Management
- Strategic Planning
- Customer relationship management
- Process Streamlining
- Operational Optimization
- Contract Negotiation
- Business Development
- Workflow optimization
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Logistics management
- Stakeholder relationship management
- Hands-On Leadership
- MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Proficient in Microsoft Teams
- Proficient in ON24 usage
- Proficient in Zoom
- Social media marketing
- CRM software proficiency
- Virtual event management
- Customer service
- Data analytics reporting
Awards
- Key Contribution Award – Foley & Lardner LLP, 2018, 2019, 2021
- Stellar Performer of the Month – Sheraton Grand Chicago, 2014
- Meeting & Event Management Team of the Year – Sheraton Grand Chicago, 2014
- Committee Member, Search Committee – Coordinator for Campus Life, Winter – Purdue University Northwest, 2012
- Lake Shore Professional Women’s Conference Leader Award – Purdue University Northwest, 2013
- The Heart of the Community Award – Purdue University Northwest, New Student Orientation, 2012
- Above and Beyond Award – Purdue University Northwest, Office of Campus Life, 2010, 2011, 2012
- Who’s Who Among College Students in Universities – Purdue University Northwest, Office of Campus Life, 2012
- The Most Dedicated Award – Purdue University Northwest, New Student Orientation, 2012
Leadership
Purdue University Northwest | 2009 – 2013
New Student Orientation Leader
- Conducted group and individual tutorials on navigating the University website.
- Collaborated with academic advisors to guide students in course scheduling and academic planning.
- Partnered with faculty to develop and implement best practices for orientation programs.
- Led orientation sessions for groups of up to 100 students, fostering engagement and promoting student success.
Vice President – College Mentors for Kids | 2010 – 2012
- Coordinated with headquarters and statewide chapters to share ideas, best practices, and program successes.
- Collaborated with student organizations and campus departments to plan and execute enrichment activities.
- Mentored elementary students to support their academic growth and inspire future college readiness.
Interests
Language
Bilingual, fluent in Spanish
Timeline
Senior Marketing Events Specialist
Katten
02.2024 - Current
Marketing Events Specialist
Katten
02.2022 - 02.2024
Event Marketing Specialist
Foley & Lardner
01.2017 - 01.2022
Meeting & Event Manager
W Chicago Lakeshore Hotel
01.2016 - 01.2017
Meeting & Event Manager
Sheraton Grand Chicago
01.2014 - 01.2016
Executive Meeting Specialist
Sheraton Grand Chicago
01.2014 - 01.2015
Banquet Captain
Horseshoe Casino
01.2013 - 01.2014
Sales and Catering Intern
Horseshoe Casino
01.2013 - 01.2013
Vice-President-College Mentors for Kid
Purdue University Northwest
01.2010 - 01.2012
Student Employee - Office of Campus Life
Purdue University Northwest
01.2009 - 01.2013
Bachelor of Science - Hospitality & Tourism Management
Purdue University Northwest