"Meet the AACRAO Staff" is an occasional Connect feature. It's one way for members to get to know some of the folks hard at work in the AACRAO office. Another way? Come see us in D.C. -- we'll roll out the welcome mat for you!
This issue, meet busy mom, amateur pastry chef and marketer extraordinare Natalia Jimenez. Known around the office as a warm, kind and patient person--it's no surprise that exhibitors love her.
How long have you been at AACRAO and what do you do here?
I came from Colombia for graduate school at Johns Hopkins University, where I majored in Marketing. Right after I finished, I started at AACRAO in 2005.
I work with a team in the Marketing and Meetings departments. My job is focused on working with companies who want to be involved with AACRAO. I work to fill the exhibit hall at all of our live meetings and conferences and inform companies about other opportunities -- sponsorship, presentations and advertising. This is important because it gives our members the chance to see cutting-edge products, and it's an extension of marketing efforts for companies.
I focus most of my marketing activities on developing corporate relationships, including selling all our meetings' exhibit hall spaces as well as presentations and sponsorships. I encourage new and existing partners to come and showcase their products and services to our members. We work with member goals in mind, because we want to give our members the opportunity to see these great products that the different companies have available to improve their institutions.
What has been your most memorable Meeting in your time at AACRAO?
The 2005 Annual Meeting in New York -- my first one. I was hearing about all the companies coming to exhibit at our meeting “ I knew it would be a large show but I was so impressed to see how professionally organized and well designed the exhibit hall was--even though it was spread out on THREE floors! Since my start I have worked in many cities and love the opportunity to meet our members face to face.
What are your favorite leisure activities?
I have no leisure time! I have two little ones “ Martin, 4, and Daniel, 2 “ who take up all my time when I am not working. Coming from a tropical country, I really like to plan fun outside activities with the family! Before I had kids, though, I enjoyed going to baking classes - anything that tastes sweet and looks amazing! Now, sharing my baking hobby with my little ones, we create beautiful and tasty masterpieces all year long!