Sales Manager

BOB LUIKENS

***** ************ *** . ******, ** *5378 . 612-***-**** .

**********@*****.*** www.linkedin.com/in/bobluikens

MEETINGS, SPECIAL EVENTS & TRADESHOW MANAGER

Trusted manager of over 400 meetings and special events, with a flair for

tradeshows and conferences, seeks a position within an experiential

marketing, event planning, conference or tradeshow division of a Minnesota

based company. Natural ability to create and launch unique, dynamic and

profitable events from just an idea and a blank piece of paper. Known for

building deep relationships with associations, speakers and vendors,

creating long-term event growth. Special knack for identifying new business

opportunities and creating event launches in new markets. Able to think

unconventionally, to rise above the competition. Core areas of expertise

encompass:

- Event management

- Launching new events

- Strategic business planning

- Budgeting & accounting

- Creative visionary thinking

- Competitive research & analysis

- Market timing & positioning

- Association marketing

- Relationship building

- Consultative sales ability

- Organizational leadership

- Public speaking & presentations

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Launching New Events

. Assembled a 14 page HALO website for exhibitors & created HTML

sales emails to promote the event

. Developed Officer World Expo, an official part of Police Week in

Washington, DC for 20,000 police officers

. Launched Enforcement Expo for the Fraternal Order of Police;

Cygnus's 1st public safety event created in-house

. The Enforcement Expo franchise was further launched into 8 different

cities & expanded to 3 shows annually

. Founded Wings of the North, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

. Created both the Air Expo and An Evening with Eagles dinner gala,

aviation's largest gathering of legends

. Founded Black Sheep Productions LLC, producer of Moving the Needle

Forward, a jobseeker's resource expo

. Launched Thunderbird Aviation's FAA Wings Safety Seminars, bringing

over 500 conference attendees

Event Management

. Organized over 400 events for groups including Land 'O Lakes, Star

Tribune & Federal Aviation Administration

. Experienced with meetings, conferences, seminars, corporate

parties, sales training, group reunions, catered events, Christmas

parties, wedding receptions, airshows, hangar dances, dinner

galas, historical symposiums, FAA safety seminars, live-fire

shooting, live-drive demonstrations, hands-on training, expos and

tradeshows

Creative Visionary Thinking

. Created first ever NASCAR kickoff event, held at the Coca-Cola

racing hospitality tent, to market our Phoenix conference to over

200 police and sheriffs, generating our largest first-year

attendance ever for a new show

. Experienced working with hundreds of VIPs on events, including

Senator George McGovern, NASCAR's Denny Hamlin & NBC's Chris

Hansen (To Catch a Predator), simply by contacting them with an

invitation

. Exceeded 2011 sales goals for Enforcement Expo Las Vegas by 29% by

expanding premium sponsorships

. Increased Cygnus Expositions ancillary sales to over $1,000,000 by

developing a sales team training session

. Worked with the Palm Springs Air Museum to redesign their Grand

Opening dinner gala, to extend their standard gala capacity by

nearly 300 people to accommodate President Ford and other local

dignitaries

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

BLACK SHEEP PRODUCTIONS 2013-Current

Founder, Event Director

. Moving the Needle Forward, a jobseeker's resource conference and

networking expo

HALO COUNTER-TERRORISM SUMMIT 2012-2012

Director, Training & Education

. Inaugural 5 day training conference featuring exhibits and live,

outdoor demonstrations

ENFORCEMENT EXPO - CYGNUS EXPOSITIONS 2005-2011

Tradeshow Manager / Ancillary Sales Director

. Law enforcement conferences and trade shows for the Fraternal Order

of Police

AIR EXPO - WINGS OF THE NORTH 1998-2006

Airshow Director

. Annual Airshow featuring Living Legends from aviation history -

501(c)(3) non-profit organization

THUNDERBIRD AVIATION 1996-1998

Sales and Marketing Coordinator

. Aviation flight training school at the Flying Cloud Airport

PLANES OF FAME EAST - AIR MUSEUM 1993-1997

Events & Marketing Director

. Unique collection of 26 flyable WWII aircraft - 501(c)(3) non-profit

organization

EDUCATION

ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY

St. Cloud, MN

. B.S. Professional Flight - Aviation Management

. Emphasis in Marketing and Mathematics

. Certified Flight Instructor Rating

AWARDS AND HONORS

Cygnus Presidential Award of Merit, Cygnus Sales Innovation Award, Cygnus

Collaboration Award, ten-time winner of the Cygnus Monthly Sales Contest,

three-time winner Cygnus STAR Award, Planes of Fame's Honor of the Red Max

Award, Thunderbird Aviation Flight Instructor of the Month and Boy Scouts

of America's Aviation Explorer Post Rookie Advisor of the Year Award

TECHNOLOGY SKILLS SUMMARY

- Microsoft Word & Excel

- Microsoft PowerPoint

- Microsoft Outlook

- Microsoft FrontPage HTML Editor

- Pixlr Image Editor

- GoToMeetings Webinars

- Skype Video Conferencing

- EBMS & related CRM systems

- Linkedin & Facebook

AFFILIATIONS

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS - SAVAGE 2012-2013

Recruitment Director

. Creating and hosting events for new member recruitment and initiation

. Development of council website

ST. JOHN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH 2010-2013

Stewardship Commission

. Created and coordinated annual fall Ministry Fairs

Page 2 . **********@*****.*** . 612-***-**** .

www.linkedin.com/in/bobluikens

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