Jennifer Perna

Jennifer Perna started Fulton Market Consulting in May 2017 after developing an event experience and sales management experience portfolio for over 25 years in the downtown Chicago catering and special events industry. Jennifer presently works with owners, managers and all team players at hospitality-related companies on increasing sales and creating business development strategies, streamlining processes for operations and event production and developing best practices for human resources and administrative management. This is especially imperative as we continue to manage a diverse and young talented pool of employees today. Jennifer brings a dynamic, approachable and relatable communication style to all levels and members of the team.

Jennifer is an active, passionate and involved member of the International Caterers Association (ICA) where she is on the Executive Board as Immediate Past President, after completing a successful two-year Presidential term. Jennifer has been an ICA member since 2011. She has also been an active board member of the Catersource Advisory Council since 2015.

Prior to starting Fulton Market Consulting, Jennifer was Vice President of Sales at Blue Plate Catering from August 2008-April 2017. Jennifer thrived in her position as the leader of a sales department of 32 dynamic sales and production team members generating annual revenue reaching over $25 million in off-premise catering sales, working in over 85 various venues throughout the Chicagoland area.

Jennifer & Blue Plate received several accolades and awards during her time including:

• 2016 Best and Brightest companies to work for, National Association for Business Resources

• 2015 Achievement in Catering Excellence (ACE), East region, Catersource

• 2015 Best Catering Company, Illinois Meetings and Events

• 2015 Couples Choice Award, Wedding Wire

• 2009 Hall of Fame Supplier of the Year, Illinois Meetings and Events

 Jennifer is a proud graduate of the Cornell School of Hotel Administration with a Bachelor of Science Degree concentrating in food and beverage and marketing. She recently was a guest speaker at the special event class at the prestigious hotel school in October 2016 and it heading back for a return engagement this autumn.

contact information:

312.515.4380