Manager Marketing
Resume:
ERIC J. WATKINS
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Home: 301-***-****
Mobile: 240-***-****
Email: *******@***.***
CAREER SUMMARY
AN EVENT PROFESSIONAL SKILLED AND EXPERIENCED IN HAVING MANAGED THE EXECUTION OF FOUR CORPORATE CONFERENCE AND TRADESHOW
PROGRAMS. WITH A PROVEN ABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY COORDINATE THE MYRIAD DETAILS ASSOCIATED WITH BOTH EXHIBITOR-SIDE TRADESHOW
PARTICIPATION AND MEETING AND EVENT ACTIVITIES. ALWAYS STRIVING FOR OVERALL SUCCESS THROUGH EFFECTIVE STRATEGIC PLANNING AND FLAWLESS
EXECUTION.
EXPERIENCE
BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON, Events & Exhibits Manager 2008 - 2010
Incorporated project management methods on behalf of Booz Allen’s Defense, Civil and Security market teams to
effectively execute the planning and logistical details associated with a $260k portable exhibition and tradeshow
program.
Worked with firm leadership and internal clients to provide strategic guidance on live-event best practices
(tradeshows participation, hospitality suites, client events and speaking engagements, etc.) to ensure alignment
with the firm’s brand and business goals.
Worked with the varied marketing groups to leverage an event through analysis and distribution of attendee lists,
facilitating on/off-site meeting space for clients and development and distribution of post-show survey analysis.
Managed budget expenditures utilizing Excel software tools and other event-related software; and contained costs
by engaging in effective negotiation with sponsoring association, exposition service providers and related vendors
to obtain best prices.
American Institutes for Research, Exhibit & Tradeshow Specialist 2004 - 2007
Managed operational and budget logistics in facilitating a 50-plus events and conference calendar on behalf of the
National Heart Lung & Blood division of the National Institutes for Heath. Conscientiously procured exhibition
space and related services averaging a savings of 25% per event.
Updated and enhanced organization’s tradeshow program by continually reviewing industry changes that enabled
incorporation of better practices. Through resource analysis, costs estimates and ROI data, the program grew by
five percent.
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Produced innovative instructional video for assembly and dismantling client’s custom display property, saving 30%
on onsite Installation and Dismantling (I&D) labor expense.
Saved client 25% - 30% on lodging cost by the revamping of existing booking system for staff accommodations;
using advanced registration processes that consistently secured government per-diem rates at 4-star properties.
Conducted onsite pre-show meetings and orientation/training to acquaint attending staff best practices, pertinent
event activities, computer presentation tools in booth and available resources for visiting conference attendees.
Adopted a post-show survey report to document the effectiveness of pre-show marketing efforts, in-booth
presentations and post-show lead retrieval strategies. All to establish justification for future participation in that and
similar conferences.
Department of Housing & Urban Development, Sr. Staff Specialist 2002 - 2004
Supported Government Affairs Under-Secretary’s day to day activities involving meeting coordination, speaking
engagement protocol, review and editing of speeches and securing travel and lodging arrangements.
Developed a master guide or briefing book, providing information essential to the Under Secretary’s involvement
at a particular event, the event’s theme, relevant talking points and pre-established metrics and objectives.
Exhibited strong professional etiquette and protocol, organizational skills, editing and proofreading capability.
LEXIS NEXIS, Tradeshow Manager 1999 - 2002
Responsible for a $500k event marketing budget, directing all logistical resources for the company’s 85-plus
conference and tradeshow program. Experienced an overall 30% savings on exhibit-space purchases, collateral
production, hotel bookings and shipping of equipment and supplies through selecting the most cost-effective
methods.
Collaborated with in-house marketing teams to bring value-added benefits via exhibit-hall promotional activities
using the pre-show Attendee list, off-site client functions and in-booth product presentations.
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Worked closely with the contracted exhibit house in selection and design of the appropriate custom and/or
portable display properties, computer and A/V equipment, printed marketing packets and promotional giveaway
items.
Demonstrated familiarity and compliance with industry regulations regarding display installation and dismantling
and union rules/regulations; thus encouraging successful on-site supervision of union labor, utility contractors and
collaboration with the association sponsoring the event.
Reconciled event financials through a developed knowledge of ROI measurement techniques thereby generating
timely reports that measured the quantitative success of company’s event participation.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION PRESS, Marketing Specialist and Coordinator 1993 - 1999
Facilitated all activities and deliverables involving Smithsonian Institution Press’ participation in a 30-plus
tradeshow program. Negotiated with convention-center points of contact on onsite requirements, subsequently
obtaining best location and value per square foot expense.
Worked with senior editorial staff to clarify wish-list opportunities and collaborated with other internal departments
to determine marketing strategies: pre-show mailings, planned customer activities and staff training.
Effectively administered the necessary contracts with expo service companies (GES, Champion, Freeman, etc) to
secure on-site services, realizing a 20% on average savings for the Institution.
Promoted to managing on-site activities: including supervision of install/dismantle labor, electrical workers and
post-show shipping personnel. Booth-staffing was also a new responsibility. Promotion based on reputation for
delivering on commitments.
TECHNOLOGY SKILLS:
Microsoft Office Suite, Exhibit Force and Exhibit Express (promotional inventory software)
Traq-it and Exhibit Manager (tradeshow and exhibit management software)
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
Member, Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA)
Member, Health Care Convention & Exhibitors Association (HCEA) Education:
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EDUCATION
BS, Marketing: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
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