Jess Pettitt
Emcee, Master of Ceremonies
Your Event Insurance Policy
Emcee experience you can trust with your most important events
Jess turns good moments into great moments and handles egos, administrivia, emergency doors, traffic jams, hecklers, dumpster fires, and the clock with the swagger, ease, and panache of a seasoned pro who’s emceed thousands of events for clients that include Saber HealthCare, Grant Professionals Association, and California Parks and Recreation Association.
For nearly 20 years, Jess has been pairing her inexhaustible empathy with her quick sense of humor to keep event audiences and presenters feeling well cared for and highly entertained. Her deep experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion means she can work with absolutely anybody (and the occasional elephant or five-point buck), and with a master’s in crisis management, you can trust that no matter what happens, Jess has got it.
Jess was the MC for our 2022 leadership conference and keynote speaker. She made it through 3 days with our team and accepted the challenge of keeping us all on track, no doubt a huge task. Her funny wit kept everyone engaged and wanting more. Myrtle Beach will not be the same!! Or at least until next year when we will all meet again. Looking forward to receiving a copy of her book. If you are looking for a great speaker look no further!!!
Luv Berkley
Director Of Nursing at Monroe Health and Rehabilitation
2020 was the year of virtual conferences, and I quickly learned that sitting in front of a computer for 8 hours was not nearly as engaging as in-person events, at least for this EXTRA extrovert. But then I attended the Grant Professionals Association conference, emceed by the one and only Jess Pettitt. Having her uplifting spirit, encouraging words, and utter joy light up the computer screen between sessions was a definite highlight. She kept me feeling energized and excited to connect through the chat. Engaging the world virtually is a unique skill, and one that few possess – Jess has it in spades!
Amanda Day, GPC
I help membership organizations offer quality grant trainings so those you serve (nonprofits, local governments, and other agencies) find success in their own grant seeking programs.
I hired Jessica Pettitt to be an MC for the MPI Texas Hill Country Chapter’s first virtual Texas Education Conference on October 1, 2020. We were using a brand new platform and had less than a week to make it work for our conference. Jess came through for us in a tremendous way. She took the time to get to know our organization, our speakers and our members. She went above and beyond in working with me to create scripting and a run of show that would make our conference engaging and exciting. Her personality and character gave her instant credibility with our membership and invaluable virtual guidance throughout the broadcast. She is funny, energetic and always professional. She made my small production feel as polished as a Fortune 500 company presentation. I would not hesitate to hire Jessica again for any MC needs live or virtual.
Michele Gonzalez, CMP
Master Multi-Tasker, Event Professional, Ray of Sunshine
Howdy Partner
Putting out fires before anyone notices smoke is how Jess rolls. As a recovering event planner herself, Jess is able to be in the present moment while being 10 steps ahead of everyone, and she’ll be there to support you, as your partner in crime, from design to doors closed. As a former NYC standup comic, she’ll keep your participants laughing, and then—poof!—she’ll magically end on time.
Your master of ceremonies and your keynoter
Jess’s favorite part of being the MC at any event is meeting new folks while learning from the event’s content. And if you need more content or a closing keynote to bring it all together, Jess offers emcee + keynote packages that she has structured for many of her clients, including American Association of Hospice and Palliative Care, United States Bartenders Guild, and Palantir Technologies.
Jess’s Good Enough Now keynote on how to create lasting change, not by waiting for some perfect opportunity, person, or process, but by recognizing that we’re all Good Enough Now to create the organizational culture we want has been an industry favorite.
