Smart Event Academy
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About Smart Event Academy

Smart Event Academy is a digital event training academy and community built by digital event pros for event professionals seeking to excel at digital event strategy and event technology project management.

Jen Santos developed the concept in early 2022 when she saw just how severely the pandemic had disrupted her industry. With the return to in-person and surge of hybrid events, the existing shortage of experienced event project managers that understand tech became even more pronounced.

Event tech isn’t going anywhere. So Jen set about to create a system to give event professionals the skills they need to lead a project with confidence and provide a welcoming place for industry newcomers to learn.

The Smart Academy Blueprint consists of three elements:

Digital event strategy to design world-class digital events

Event technology project management to deliver on time and on budget

Event pro self-care –because everyone deserves to thrive

Smart Event Foundations certification program

The Academy’s signature program, Smart Event Foundations, is a six-week, hands-on, mock event style training and certification program designed to significantly reduce the time required for new event tech project managers to be ready to lead an event tech project.
 

By combining this mock event model with real event tech, the Foundations program helps participants learn in just six weeks what could take six months or more in a live event scenario.

With live Q&A, an online community, and a six-month mentoring program, the Foundations program is there to support participants along every step of their journey.

Meet the Founder -
Jen Santos

With three decades of IT consulting and project management experience and more than a decade leading event tech at some of the world’s largest companies, Jen brings a deep understanding of technology, project management, client management, and events to the Smart Event Academy.
 
She recognized the need in the events industry for project managers who both understood technology and the role that tech plays in the overall event experience. And, she saw a growing number of people outside of the industry seeking new opportunities. With that, Smart Event Academy was born as a place where industry outsiders could quickly, through experiential learning, acquire the skills they need to lead a event projects with confidence.

Where We Are Located

Jen runs the Smart Event Academy from perpetually-sunny Salvador, Brazil. She has a US-based technical team supporting her and the Academy.

What Colleagues are Saying

Respected throughout the industry, here’s what fellow event professionals have to say.

When looking for a teacher or mentor, you want someone with a wealth of direct experience, exhaustive expertise, and a keen eye for not just what you need to know but how to apply it all, too. You also likely want someone kind, empathetic, and genuine. Jen exemplifies these qualities, and Smart Event Academy is where she pours her passion and extensive knowledge - all to give you a solid foundation on which to build your own success and career.
Dorian Zimmermanlong-time colleague with over 5+ years working closely with Jen on top-tier tech events
Dorian Zimmerman
Jen is a guru of event tech. I have learned so much from her in the five years that Sound Planning has had the pleasure of working with her. She gracefully serves as translator between event stakeholders and event tech developers. I can’t wait to see her expertise shared broadly through the Smart Event Academy.
Jessica LuddersManager & Partner, Sound Planning Meetings & Events
Jessica Ludders

Ready to Learn More?

Smart Event Academy offers a complete library of courses to take your digital event learning even further. Our association-based community of practice (CoP) and advocacy organization brings event pros together.

Smart Event Academy Courses and Programs. Accelerate your event career

Explore Our Course Catalog

The need for event professionals that “get” digital and event tech is growing, with 3x growth projected in the next five years. The need is only going to grow – you can grow with it, or get left behind.

Become a Smart Event Professional

deexpa - Digital Event Experience Professionals Association

Join the Association

The Digital Event Experience Professionals Association (deexpa) is the leading association committed to building the careers of digital event professionals through education, advocacy, and relationships.

Connecting Digital Event Experts, Enhancing Digital Experiences

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EventTech Academy

Six weeks from event newbie to event pro

Get on the waitlist

  • Hello@EventTechAcademy.com
  • Seattle, WA / Salvador, Brazil