Entrepreneur’s events aim to appeal to new, growing families

Serial entrepreneur Jenn Kampmeier is at it again.

The Carmel resident has launched (and sold) four businesses in eight years, and now she’s focusing on her new “babies”: family-focused trade shows IndyFamilyFest and Rock the Cradle.

It’s familiar territory for Kampmeier, 39. She founded IndyBabyExpo in 2007—shortly after son Zane was born—and sold it as Bebe Paluzza Productions three years later.

Two startups down the road, last year she found herself revisiting the idea of giving parents easy access to the “latest and greatest" products and services geared to families. The inaugural IndyFamilyFest at the Indiana State Fairgrounds last year drew more than 100 exhibitors and about 1,700 attendees.

“It felt so good to be back in that realm again,” Kampmeier said.

This year’s event is set for Oct. 11—right about the time couples cooped up this winter should be welcoming any new additions that result from their indoor activities.

But wait, there’s more. On April 10, Kampmeier will debut Rock the Cradle, a scaled-down version of the trade show geared to new and expectant parents. The evening “celebration,” scheduled for April 10 at the Ritz Charles in Carmel, includes information sessions—including one for grandparents-to-be—vendors and a couple carryovers from the fall event: a good-natured Daddython competition and a pampering area for Mom.

Kampmeier hopes to attract about 500 attendees to the free event.