How I Got Here: Kim Grimm

Associations Now November/December 2017 Issue

She got started by outfitting outdoorsy types. Now she’s in an association’s corner office. A look at her career journey.

Kim Grimm
Interim Executive Director
National Association for Catering and Events
Columbia, Maryland

Kim Grimm’s 20-plus years in association management have covered a gamut of industries—from solid waste to product regulation to direct selling. In her current role as interim executive director at the National Association for Catering and Events, she may be overseeing the organization’s entire operation, but that doesn’t mean she forgot her start in retail sales. Here’s a glimpse at some of the job roles she’s had over the years:

“Start with the end in mind.”—Kim Grimm, National Association for Catering and Events

A Working History


1990-1992 Sales Associate at Hudson Trail Outfitters

1996-1998 Meeting Registrar at Solid Waste Association of North America

2003-2007 Education Program Coordinator at Direct Selling Association

2007-2012 Membership and Marketing Director at National Association for Catering and Events

2013-2015 Marketing Manager at Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society

2015-2017 Deputy Director at National Association for Catering and Events

2017 Interim Executive Director at National Association for Catering and Events

Editor’s Note: When originally published in the September/October 2017 issue of Associations Now, this article incorrectly reported Kim Grimm’s first job and the dates and title of her role at the Solid Waste Association of North America. It also incorrectly attributed a quotation to her. This is a corrected version. We apologize for the errors.