Ann M. Luketic, CMP, CMM
Senior Corporate Meeting Professional/Marketing Specialist, Progressive Insurance
Based in: Macedonia, Ohio
Additional roles: In addition to my corporate planning job, I own an independent event planning business, teach event management at Cuyahoga Community College and am a freelance event planner for Iron Peacock Events. I have an uncommon blend of creative and analytical talents that have contributed to my diverse career path.
How I got here: I began, by chance, in the early ’90s while working as a roadshow coordinator on the trading floor of a Cleveland-based investment banking firm. I realized that our clients did not have one point of contact to participate in our roadshows, conferences and investor meetings, and saw the need to create a centralized meetings department within our division. I proposed a new role for myself to our director and was promoted to the vice president of marketing and events to manage these events.
I have almost 30 years of experience in event management and marketing in the financial services industry and have worked for several of Northeast Ohio’s Fortune 500 companies. Throughout my career, I have planned and executed thousands of corporate events ranging from intimate incentive trips to large-scale experiential events in excess of 6,000 attendees. My job responsibilities have never been contingent on my official work title, as I’ve held a variety of titles during my career. I often tell my students that we are truly project managers (or my other favorite job description, ‘tactical execution managers’) as the skills you learn as an event planner can be transferred to everyday life.
Greatest career accomplishment: I’ve had the opportunity to work on many high-impact events throughout my career and attribute many of these events to my continued success. In 2021, I was honored with the Smart Meetings Smart Women in Meetings Award as an Industry Leader and the Christy Selby Lifetime Achievement Award from the MPI Ohio Chapter. In addition, I was the 2019 MPI Ohio Chapter’s Planner of the Year.
A specific improvement I’ve made: My passion is teaching and mentoring event professionals. I spearheaded a new event management course, including creating the curriculum for several courses that I currently teach, and have instructed over 800 students since 2009. In addition, I work with local colleges and industry associations to help mentor upcoming event professionals, speak to hospitality classes and manage an informal networking group for Ohio event professionals.
What I do outside of work: When I’m not traveling or spending time with family and friends, you can find me in my greenhouse vegging out with my plants and flowers. In addition, I am very involved in the events industry as an author, a speaker, a member of the Influence Committee for Financial and Insurance Conference Professionals and the director of programs for the MPI Ohio Chapter.
What I'd tell my younger self: ‘Have confidence in yourself!’ ‘Always be open to trying new things; devote your energy toward positive efforts and don’t worry so much about the risk.’ ‘Fill your life with motivation, dream big and be proud of all the strengths you have.’
