Jaclyn Bernstein
President and Partner
ACCESS New York Metro®

Jaclyn Bernstein is a true Event Production, Destination Management and Hospitality professional, leader, insider & champion of New York City!

Proven by Jaclyn being named in world-renowned BizBash’s Inaugural ‘Top 500 People in Events’ & ‘Most Influential Event Professionals’, then again in their 2019 ‘Top 1000 People in Events’. 

Jaclyn’s also an extremely loud-and-proud Brooklyn, New Yorker!  Whereby growing-up on welfare and food stamps, being raised by a sacrificing single Mommy in a 1 bedroom apartment, has made all of Jaclyn’s achievements & recognition even more significant and heartfelt.

After being President of her class all 4 years at University at Albany, those organizational Experiences and reading about (then called!) ‘corporate party planning’ enthralled Jaclyn.  From there, Jaclyn attended the International Live Events Association (ILEA) NY inception meeting, met her 1st and only employer - the owner of the Destination Management Company (DMC) where Jaclyn began her career; and lifelong service & support to ILEA.  Through industry involvement and deeply caring, Jaclyn quickly rose through the ranks to make this DMC 1 of NYC’s leading.

At that same meeting Jaclyn met who would become her best friend now ‘brother’ Robert Hulsmeyer.  After a few years, Jaclyn Partnered with Rob and his live production skills, acquired the company, establishing Empire Force Events!  They’ve since bought into the national ACCESS brand, now doing-business-as ACCESS New York Metro for the past 5 years.  Their DMC with an Event Production expertise and 37 years of history is the longest independently-owned NYC DMC, which they’ve owned for 25 years. 

Serving as an active Board of Director of NYC & Company, the official destination marketing organization and convention & visitors bureau as the primary key representative of the Events sector, is especially exciting to Jack as it all began with her Bklyn public elementary, junior and high school leadership!  This dedication, combined with being a spirited camper for 17 years since age 3 has served Jack in all her industry leadership such as: ILEA - NY Board of Directors & 1st Co-VicePresident of Programs & Education, Internationally - youngest Board of Governor; Society for Incentive Travel Excellence NY Chapter CoChair; Association of Destination Management Executives International’s Board of Directors, Inaugural VP Awards, 1st President’s Award winner.

Jaclyn’s been inducted into 3 Halls of Fame and Legends – Inaugural ILEA NY, Event Solutions & BizBash.

Many honors have been awarded, highlights: Event Solutions’ ‘Event Planner of The Year’’, ‘Samaritan Service’ for support after September 11th; ILEA’s Mettle Attitude, Inaugural NY ‘Woman of The Year’; ILEA Founding members - Jack & Rob now 2 of 30 international Legacy inductees.

Most recent honor is from the Boy Scouts of America with their Hospitality Industry “Good Scout” Award!  This award has been given for 37 years, to 81 honorees, and Jaclyn is the 3rd woman to receive it!  And definitely different than all the recipients as they’re all predominantly General Managers of all of NYC’s major hotels, and those above & beyond that in the hotel industry - such as the CEOs of Marriott and Hilton; then beyond hotels, major restaurant and entertainment organizations Owners & Presidents have been honored, such as Union Square Hospitality, Shubert Theatres, MTV, Radio City Music Hall…then Jack! 

Jaclyn’s been in 85+ publications including cover features: Crain’s NY Business, Corporate & Incentive Travel & coveted Special Events book.  Jaclyn loves sharing, especially as an industry speaker domestically, to India, & adjunct professor at NY University.  Jaclyn’s appeared on tv in the news, David Tutera’s Party Planner & 1st season of The Apprentice.

Jaclyn’s engaging, chatty, loves being larger than life (with very striking high heels) while making people feel comfy, & collecting them to become part of her family ~ Now More Than Ever!  You’re next :)