Meet Carol Brunner, marketing manager for the International Sleep Products Association.
Carol Brunner joined the International Sleep Products Association three years ago from a development role at The Madeira School in Washington, D.C. Previously, she held roles at the Fiber Broadband Association, Intuit and U.S. News & World Report.
As the spouse of a (now retired) Navy pilot, she lived in Brussels, for four years and traveled extensively. Some of her most memorable trips were Chiang Mai, Thailand; Kuşadası, Turkey; and St. Andrews, Scotland. In her free time, she does Pilates, tends to her garden and plays pickleball.
BedTimes: Describe your role in a few sentences.
Carol Brunner: I manage ISPA member communications, including the ISPA Insider, news releases and member alerts, as well as ISPA conference marketing for both members and nonmembers worldwide. Internally, I create the ISPA staff newsletter to help staff members across the country feel more connected, stay informed about ISPA news, and keep up with operations, technology and events.
BT: What drew you to ISPA?
CB: I previously worked at a trade association in Washington, D.C. I appreciate the mission of a unified voice for members on important legislative issues. I also enjoy learning about the business side of an industry I had previously only experienced as a consumer. The opportunity to work on the type of projects I love, collaborate with great colleagues and enjoy a scenic commute along the Potomac River was a perfect fit.
BT: What’s something about ISPA that people might not know?
CB: First, there are many long-term staff members at ISPA, which speaks volumes about the association’s leadership. Second, the ISPA marketing team truly values your feedback on conferences, communications and the ISPA website. We want to hear from you. How can we make ISPA membership more valuable? Are you finding what you need on our website? What would make your time at our conferences exceed expectations?
BT: What is one of your favorite parts of working for ISPA?
CB: One of the most rewarding moments for me comes on the last day — maybe even the last hour — of an ISPA conference. When attendee registration runs smoothly, when I can hear everyone talking about what they are learning or when I view people smiling and laughing as they reconnect with one another, there’s an undeniable buzz in the air. There is a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment when all the effort has paid off.
BT: What is a book or show you enjoyed recently?
CB: Last October, I slogged through “Elon Musk” by Walter Isaacson. The biography gave me insight into our current political situation, and how Elon Musk approaches business and generally operates. More recently, I saw the Broadway play “Hell’s Kitchen,” a loosely biographical story about Alicia Keys. The music brought me great joy and the story was inspiring. I highly recommend seeing it when you visit New York City next.
Get to know more ISPA staff members.
