Ashley Albrecht, CMP, Managing Director

Ashley has built a career on the essential facets of successful event management—connecting people, devising smart solutions, and seeing the big picture while also mastering the fine details. She founded Albrecht Events, LLC, in 2005 to help her clients strategically realize their goals with creative marketing solutions. She brings to bear an intimate knowledge of the trade, strong relationships with vendors, and guiding artistic vision. Ashley has strategically planned and coordinated events ranging from high-profile events and annual conferences to nonprofit fundraisers, grand opening celebrations, and international symposia. By working closely with diverse teams, Ashley executes exceptional events that meet business objectives and exceed expectations—all with seeming ease and efficiency. Her work process reflects an authentic desire to make guests feel comfortable, appreciated, and welcomed.

Ashley is a member of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau and served on the board of the Philadelphia chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI-PA Chapter) as Director of Communications. In 2006, Ashley was named Tomorrow’s Leader by the chapter and was awarded the Chris Pentz Memorial Scholarship toward continuing industry education. In 2010, she participated in the Philadelphia MS Leadership Class.

A participant in the Big Brothers-Big Sisters program, Ashley enjoys cooking, reading, bicycling, gardening, and the challenges and rewards of being a new mom.

email: aalbrecht@albrechtevents.com

Jennifer McConnell, Senior Manager

With almost two decades of experience in meeting planning and special events management, Jennifer plans and executes meetings with seasoned expertise, efficiency, and focused creativity. From multi-day meetings and complex trade shows to promotional events and corporate meetings, she guides her clients step by step through the planning process. She applies high-level organizational skills and time management to each project, devising creative solutions that work within a budget.

Jennifer has traveled across the globe to help her clients navigate cultural differences, diverse audiences, and destination management elements such as hospitality, accommodations, travel, venues, and more.

For over 10 years she worked as a meeting planner in the pharmaceutical industry, and she gained managerial experience overseeing a meeting planning department for an insurance company. She offers particular expertise in the areas of site selection, contract negotiation, trade show management, guest programs, and program evaluation.

Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware and a Professional Meeting Planning certificate from Temple University in Philadelphia. In addition to events management, Jennifer was a member of the 2009 Philadelphia MS Leadership Class. She serves her community’s SPCA by fostering animals, volunteering on their outreach team to find homeless animals homes and co-founded the non-profit “Friends of Homeless Animals in Delco.” Her hobbies include photography, gardening, hiking with her dogs and yoga.

email: jmcconnell@albrechtevents.com

Lauren Barnes, Senior Manager

With over 10 years of events management experience, Lauren uses her trademark skills of problem solving, creativity, and flexibility to help clients produce corporate events and meetings. She excels at logistics and operations, and her attention to detail means that events and meetings go smoothly from concept to completion.

Good at wearing multiple hats, Lauren is adept at responding quickly to changing circumstances, always maintaining an upbeat, can-do attitude. As project manager, she specializes in customer service that nurtures positive, productive relationships with both clients and suppliers. Lauren advances her clients’ mission by making the most of their event experiences, while minimizing cost. In addition to managing in-house meeting and event logistics for a major energy company, she has planned high-caliber events for a national giving day, shareholder and leadership meetings, and annual investor conferences.

Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree from Lafayette College and a certificate in meeting planning from Temple University. Newly married, she enjoys food and wine pairings as well as travel, from weekend visits to Manhattan to more adventurous outings like skydiving and white-water rafting.

email: lbarnes@albrechtevents.com