30
years
“Events are in my blood – I truly grew up in the event industry. Attending events from a young age and learning from the very best in the business, my mother, has allowed me to forge my own path and take Paulette Wolf Events to the next level.”
As a professional with over thirty years of experience in the events industry, Jodi leads the Paulette Wolf Events team in the comprehensive creation of projects, encompassing initial conceptualization, meticulous planning, and seamless execution.
Throughout her tenure with PWE, Jodi has cultivated a specialization in groundbreaking ceremonies, grand openings, and product launches, in addition to large-scale entertainment production. Her experience includes serving as Executive Producer for the grand opening campaigns of the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Galter/Feinberg Pavilions, The Prentice Women’s Hospital, The Museum of Contemporary Art, The Art Institute of Chicago, The McDonald’s Air & Sea Show, and The 1060 Project for the Chicago Cubs. More recently, she has overseen numerous product launch campaigns for various technology firms. Furthermore, as an experienced entertainment producer, she managed the 1996 Summer Olympics project in Atlanta, where the company produced over 250 live performances across six different venues simultaneously over a 33-day period. She also made a significant contribution to PWE becoming the first external producer for The Oprah Show’s “World’s Largest Baby Shower” episode, which was filmed on location at Fort Campbell for over 600 expectant military wives. Her more recent engagements include presiding over performances by esteemed artists such as Bruno Mars, Brandi Carlile, Imagine Dragons, Maroon 5, Stevie Wonder, and Sting, as well as keynote presentations by former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
Her contributions extend to the foundation sector, where she has managed initiatives for organizations including the Michael Jordan Foundation, the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, the American Heart Association, and The Nature Conservancy, and most recently for Camp Kesem and The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation.
Jodi is also the co-author of “Event Planning Made Easy,” published in 2005, which offers insights into effective planning for diverse occasions.
Her expertise has been recognized through features and contributions to publications such as BizBash, Ladies Home Journal, People Magazine, Redbook, Successful Meetings, PR Week, Medical Meetings, Special Event Magazine, Retail Traffic, Staging Rental Operations, The Advertiser, Business Ledger, Event Solutions, Selling Power Magazine, Today’s Chicago Woman, Executive Association, Rental Management, Successful Promotions, Exhibitor Magazine, Midwest Meetings, Enterprising Women, Banker & Tradesman, Crain’s Chicago Business, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and Corporate Event Magazine.
Her speaking engagements have included presentations at BizBash, The Special Event, Event Solutions, National Association of Catering Executives, International Special Event Society, and The Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism.
Furthermore, Jodi played a key role in the launch of the PartySlate platform and currently serves in an advisory capacity for the organization.
Since her appointment as CEO in 2015, her objective has been to elevate the firm’s standing, thereby attracting major national corporations, municipalities, sporting events, and foundations. A central focus and continued source of professional satisfaction is the cultivation of strong creative partnerships with both new and long-standing clients.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its substantial impact on the events industry, she joined the NACE COVID-19 Task Force IL & Chicago Steering Committee. Through this committee, I directly advise state and local government officials on best practices for the safe and efficient reopening of the events and hospitality sectors.
Throughout her career at Paulette Wolf Events, she has been instrumental in the acquisition and production of musical acts amounting to nearly $300 million, entertained millions of guests and consumers, and produced thousands of events.
What event are you most proud of & why ?
The more complex the event, the more accomplished I feel at the end. There are three events that I am most proud of in my career.
The Centennial Olympics in Atlanta, where we produced over 250 live performances over 33 days in six different venues simultaneously for the athletes, coaches and officials. I spent 3 days every other week in Atlanta for 16 months during the planning phases of this project and watching it all come together in the midst of the Olympic excitement was amazing. Watching language, cultural and political barriers crumble as they went through this unique experience and then enjoy a program that we put together was incredibly rewarding.
The Ft. Lauderdale Air & Sea Show is number two. When I think about the fact that we produced the largest 2-day spectator event in the world with over 4.5 million people – it still gives me goose bumps. I love that it was all about saluting and honoring the U.S. Military.
Last, but not least is The Grand Opening Campaign for Northwestern Memorial Hospital. We got to be part of the NMH team from the ground breaking ceremony to the topping off to the campaign culmination kickoff to the grand opening celebration of 14 events over 10 days. The CEO of the hospital acknowledged us at every single event thanking us for our contribution to the overall campaign success.
Who inspires you?
My mother is my inspiration. She started this business at a time when less than 10 percent of all businesses were women-owned. Her first account was a big one — McDonald’s. She produced a series of anniversary events nationwide for the company and things just continued from there. I literally grew up in the business. She put me to work early on. At age 10, I was wrangling name entertainment. At 18, I was pitching new business in Hawaii to a room full of potential sponsors and media. At 21, she made me work in every part of the industry, so I could become fluent in all aspects of events. I worked at a hotel learning to pre block rooms. I worked at an entertainment venue in the green room learning the ins and outs of hospitality as well as learning how to be the voice of god. I worked for a catering company learning how to put menus together and how to put a sterno out. I also worked for a tenting company & a designer learning how many people fit in each tent size. She knew it would give me an incredible education in events that I wouldn’t get any other way and helped me earn respect in the industry.
What is your favorite thing about being in events?
I love what I do! I can’t imagine doing anything else. I love that every event is different and has its own unique personality. My favorite thing about being in the event business is getting to know a client/brand and becoming so fluent in their language that they don’t need to communicate their goals and initiatives to us anymore. I love becoming an extension of the team and brainstorming – it is how the best plans come together.