Meeting Planning Professional

OPEN TO RELOCATION

PROFILE

A results-oriented professional with 20+ years of experience in project and meeting management.

Successful track record of managing and developing strategic relationships.

Recognition for rapport with external clients, internal stakeholders, suppliers and peers.

Strong leadership and team development skills.

Highly responsive and flexible approach.

Innovative, creative and proactive with a high degree of integrity.

CORE COMPENTICIES

Extensive Account Management and Business Development Leadership Experience

Six Sigma Green Belt Earned Designing and Incorporating Best Practices for Consolidated Meeting Management

Expertise Designing and Managing Large, Complex Meetings and Events

Strong Financial and Budgeting Skills

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Carlson Wagonlit Travel Meetings & Events October, 2016 – January, 2018

Director, Business Development, Pharmaceutical Vertical Philadelphia, PA

Responsible for business development in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry.

Contracted eight new client relationships in 2017.

Mentored other Sales team members with the RFP response process and daily problem solving advice.

Collaborate with Business Travel colleagues to implement joint client relationships.

Planning Partners International, Meetings in Medicine and Gray Consulting November, 2009 – October, 2016

Management Agency Business Development Philadelphia, PA

Responsible for new business development and growth of assigned accounts.

Gain understanding of client requirements and design customized solutions.

Collaborate with Operational teams to staff and execute against client requirements.

Pursue Supplier Diversity prospects representing Certified, Diverse Suppliers.

Merck & Co., Inc. July, 2004 – November, 2009

Director, Merck Meeting Services Philadelphia, PA

Leader of the Meeting Services team responsible for 1,500 meetings and $80MM in annual spend.

Managed a team of seven internal staff and over 100 contractors.

Led the design and implementation of Merck’s Strategic Meetings Management Program utilizing Six Sigma methodology to obtain customer requirements and realize process efficiencies.

Reduced venue sourcing process steps by 45% resulting in greater efficiency, shorter cycle time and improved customer service.

Executed logistics agency RFP to consolidate preferred supply base from twelve agencies to four.

Negotiated Service Level Agreements with logistics agencies inclusive of performance metrics for customer service, operational efficiency, cost savings and HCP compliance.

Achieved $10MM in cost savings in 2008 through demand management recommendations related to hotel selection and budget inclusions.

Earned Special Achievement Award from the Merck Human Health President for savings innovation.

Earned Special Achievement Award from the CEO for support of his inaugural Strategy Development Meeting inclusive of all VP level and above globally for Merck.

Presented cost savings best practices to an audience of 100+ attendees at the EXL Pharmaceutical Meeting Planners Summit in 2008 and 2009.

Carlson Marketing Group August, 1991 – July, 2004

Operations and Account Management Leadership Philadelphia, PA

Responsible for management and growth of the Merck account.

Managed account base of $21MM in 01, $25MM in 02, $25MM in 03.

Demonstrated annual ROI of 3:1 in savings to CMG management fees.

Won CMG Sales Achievement award in 2002 and 2003.

Project management lead positioned onsite at AT&T responsible for account management and program administration.

Project management lead positioned onsite at NBC responsible for NBC’s 3,600 attendee Olympic Hospitality program including onsite execution of GE Board of Directors program as primary operational contact to Jack Welch.

Onsite Trip Director supporting the execution of incentive programs and business meetings.

EDUCATION

Lewis & Clark College

Portland, OR

Bachelor of Arts Degree – Major in Business Administration, Emphasis on Accounting

Graduated 1991

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