MATTHEW J. ROBERTSON

**** *. ******* ******, *******, IL 60630 ? Cell: 773-***-****

Email: ace2yx@r.postjobfree.com ? Website: www.doyoubuzz.com/matthew-

robertson/

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

SENIOR LEVEL MEETINGS INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE / ACCOUNT MANAGER / TEAM LEADER

Marketing communications professional specializing in the strategic design,

cost-effective planning and seamless execution of live business events.

Expertise in general management, operations, financial reporting with

diverse global experience.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS

RIVER WEST MEETING ASSOCIATES, INC., Chicago, IL 1997 - 2014

Corporate communications agency engaged in the design, management and on-

site coordination of business conferences, special events, experiential

marketing and incentive travel programs

Vice President, Operations

Responsible for day-to-day operations including account management, project

leadership, new business acquisition, relationship building, and refining

best practices. Provided a high level of strategic, consultative expertise

to global healthcare clients.

. Played a significant role in the start-up and daily management operations

of the agency, with current annual revenue in excess of $30 million

. Created operating procedures, policies, performance criteria, best

practices, forms, standards, and automated systems, resulting in greater

efficiencies, critical data capture and profitability

. Led the effort to secure numerous Master Service Agreements with Fortune

100 companies; each MSA typically generates a $5-10 million revenue

stream over its two - three year lifespan

. Built, maintained and influenced relationships among client stakeholders

across all levels of the organization, with a high degree of interaction

among C-suite executives

. Led the team responsible for business development; cultivated sales

opportunities, authored proposals, created PowerPoint presentations,

organized and actively participated in pitch meetings, sent follow-up

letters and took other actions as necessary to acquire new accounts

. Account Manager for several of River West's top accounts, consistently

generating $500,000 or more in annual management fees; responsible for

overall account profitability

. Supervisory responsibilities for twelve full-time employees and on-site

freelance staff; recruited, trained, coached and mentored new hires and

younger associates

. Project lead and trusted advisor on our clients' most ambitious projects,

including national sales meetings, new product launches, advisory board

meetings, patient outreach programs, speaker training programs, CME

programs, thought-leader symposium, and incentive travel programs,

ranging in size from 15 to 5,000 attendees

. Leveraged industry knowledge to negotiate favorable contract terms with

hotels and other service providers to maximize return on investment while

minimizing risk for clients, consistently obtaining savings of 30% or

better

BUDGET RENT-A-CAR CORPORATION, Lisle, IL 1989 - 1997

Budget is one of the world's best known car and truck rental brands,

operating at more than 3,000 locations in more than 120 countries.

Senior Manager, Corporate Communications

. Responsible for planning, developing, and implementing communications

strategies for internal and external audiences; supported marketing

efforts of corporate and licensee operators globally.

. Created, launched and managed a consolidated meetings/tradeshow/travel

department with seven direct reports; successfully directed a $5M annual

budget

. Developed objectives and established standard operating procedures to

streamline operations, control costs, improve ROI and evaluate

effectiveness of meetings and tradeshows

. Coordinated licensee conventions, international licensee advisory

meetings, and tradeshow activities, including the design of tradeshow

booths and interactive concept exhibits

. Developed, managed and monitored detailed meeting budgets, control

documents, financial data and survey analysis

. Create sales, marketing and training support materials: sales brochures,

proposal and website content, PowerPoint presentations, press releases

and articles, script-writing, video production

BUCOM INTERNATIONAL, INC., Chicago, IL 1987 - 1989

BUCOM is a corporate meeting planning, special event and incentive travel

company.

Director of Business Development

Responsible for building client relationships and seeking out new business

opportunities; extensive proposal writing and sales presentation

experience.

CHICAGO CONVENTION AND TOURISM BUREAU, INC., Chicago, IL 1985 - 1987

The CCTB is the official marketing agency that promotes Chicago tourism

amenities to global leisure travel and convention planners to ensure the

area's economic vitality.

Director of Corporate Sales

Directed sales and marketing efforts to promote Chicago as a corporate

meetings destination, targeting the automotive, high-tech, pharmaceutical

and insurance industries; guided event planners through the site selection

process, acting as liaison to Chicago area hotels, McCormick Place, Navy

Pier and other special event venues.

CHICAGO MARRIOTT DOWNTOWN HOTEL, Chicago, IL

1983 - 1985

With 90,000 square feet of versatile function space, the Chicago Marriott

Downtown Magnificent Mile Hotel provides the ideal setting for business

meetings, conferences and social events of all sizes.

Front Office Supervisor / Management Trainee

EDUCATION

Illinois State University, Normal, IL

1979 - 1983

Major: English

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