Events Manager

Outgoing and creative Event Manager who creates, develops and executes programs that drive revenue and builds client loyalty, while managing logistics of numerous events, simultaneously. Have operated as

an Event-Team-of-One as well as department director. Collaborates with global teams to fulfill event objectives, and builds affable relationships with colleagues, vendors, customers and prospects. Accustomed to working in fast-paced, hands-on environment.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & HIGHLIGHTS

Managed and executed domestic, global and virtual events, including conferences, tradeshows, executive retreats, incentive trips, user conferences, etc. Planned up to 40 events simultaneously.

Managed end-to-end event execution, including securing venues, budget creation and management, schedule/timeline development, guiding committees for speaker selection, catering, AV, social events, spouse programs, billing, and post-event comments/feedback to improve future events.

Sourced and contracted 100+ meetings/year for 30+ corporate clients, adhering to individualized Standard Operating Procedures and processes for each. Subject matter expert at negotiating hotel contracts.

Owned objectives, requirements, scopes, budgets, timelines and execution of project/event lifecycles up to 18 months in length.

Directed all on-site components of 6000+ delegate, city-wide trade show and conference, one week after hire. Delivered event on budget with strategic objectives achieved.

Utilized Strategic Meetings Management (SMM) methodologies to negotiate contract terms and discounts for services and vendors, averaging 30+% cost avoidance per event.

Created, optimized and reconciled departmental and event budgets up to $3.5M. Evaluated expenses and pursued opportunities to increase efficiencies and cost savings.

Supervised team of four and led cross-functional teams of 50+.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1/2016 – current Meeting/Event Consultant Self-Employed, Austin

Provide meeting and event expertise to DMCs that needed more feet on the ground to properly cover meetings, social events and team building events

Assistance includes (but not limited to) hotel sourcing/management, RFP creation, budget creation/ management, contract negotiations (SME), SMM methodologies, registration, spouse/team building activities

Compose event websites; departmental activity and KBYG decks; workback schedules; letters of invitation, registration and confirmation, and upload and maintain most current versions on departmental SharePoint documents

Track deadlines for event action items and deliverables

1/2011 – 1/2016 Meeting & Events Manager CWT Meetings & Events, Austin

Researched venues, created RFPs, compiled proposals and tracked/documented cost avoidance

Improved clients’ process efficiencies and provided worldwide data consolidation, benchmarking capabilities, and reconciliation reporting

Assisted clients in meeting budget requirements and preparing finance/accounting documentation

Created and managed registration websites (as needed)

8/2008 – 12/2010 Marketing Consultant Various, Austin/Houston

Partnering with in-house Sales and Marketing teams, planned and coordinated field and sales events for firms including Apple, Dell, National Instruments and Habitat for Humanity

Developed marketing collateral and web pages, created and managed client databases and provided meeting planning expertise and sales support

11/2007 – 7/2008 Conference Director Hart Energy Consulting, Houston

•Produced one domestic and two international events, featuring C-level business executives and senior government officials

•For each event, collaborated with cross-functional global teams on the creation, development and implementation of strategies to meet goals of each global branch

•Created, tracked, managed and evaluated ROI to measure event effectiveness

10/2005 – 6/2007 Conference Manager Not-For-Profit Associations, Austin

Served as lead and primary liaison for vendors, speakers, sponsors and delegates for international and state-wide association conferences and trade shows

Developed processes, implemented methodologies and provided statistical reports for continuing education seminars and international exposition/conference

Developed and managed budgets, led supplier negotiations and oversaw departmental operations

2/2002 – 10/2005 Director, Member Programs Accountants Global Network, Denver

Created and actualized 80+ events/year, consisting of web conferences, educational meetings, high-profile social events/mixers, intimate board retreats, spouse programs and dine-arounds.

Recruited and spearheaded large virtual team of volunteers to increase member listserve/niche group involvement, sharing of best practices and interaction among members

Transformed static HTML listing of event details (presentation topics, invited speakers, member involvement, etc.) to a database-driven, live website, resulting in the creation of a records management system, a streamlined maintenance process, and saving countless hours of searching for historical data

TOOLS & SKILLS

Proficient in Mac and PC OS and software, including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, SharePoint; StarCite, Cvent, iMIS 10 (as CRM), various web conferencing and web authoring software. Strong Internet research skills and ability to learn new software quickly. Ability to lead, set direction, develop a collaborative environment and achieve results through others. Excellent written and verbal communications skills, including presentations/public speaking. Flexible to travel and possess current passport.

EDUCATION

St. Edward's University Certificate: Project Management

Houston Community College Associate's Degree: English. Graduated with High Honors

UT Austin Coursework towards Bachelor's Degree in Communications

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