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Mary Kramer – 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award

Mary Kramer of Crain Communications, receives the 2023 Lewis M. Conn Lifetime Achievement Award.

Lewis M. Conn Award, sponsored by Kodi Collective​

Mary Kramer could not be more deserving of this award. Mary was made to be a journalist- she has a nose for it and a brain for it. She has had a massive impact not only on the people she has worked with at Crain Communications, but on journalism as a whole Mary is one of the most creative people I have ever met and is always open and willing to share. She is also very kind. We have all learned so much from Mary and she has meant so much to my family and to the whole Crain Communications family. We are thrilled that she is being recognized with the high honor of the Lewis M. Conn Lifetime Achievement Award.

-KC Crain, CEO of Crain Communications


I first heard Mary’s name in 1995 when my boss and mentor Bill Metcalf said you need to meet Mary Kramer and get to know her- SHE IS SHARP!! He was not lying -I finally met her in person in 1997 at our Summer Conference in Cleveland. Since that day I have admired her creativity, drive, sense of community, leadership and passion for our industry.

-Julio Melara, CEO of Baton Rouge Business Report


Mary has always had a passion for and a commitment to excellence in journalism. She’s an expert in every aspect of the media business and has served as a mentor and an advisor to countless people in the profession over the years.  Most of all… she is a great leader and a model corporate citizen.

Matt Toledo, former publisher of Los Angeles Business Journal


Mary Kramer is the epitome of the ultimate and successful executive of a business paper.  She is the guru we all have gone to for advice.  Her contributions to AABP have been legendary because of her brilliance, creativity and hard work.

-Connie Wimer, Chairman of the Des Moines Business Record


Despite “growing up” on the editorial/content side, we all know Mary’s greatest strength and achievements were as an extremely successful revenue leader.  Mary’s dedication and  her willingness to share her knowledge and entrepreneurial ideas with the members of AABP  have made an impact on all our businesses.

– David Schankweiler, from former Publisher of Harrisburg and New Jersey