Management Sales

LESLEY NIVEN

***-*** **** *** ******, Vancouver, BC, V5Y 0A5

Phone: 778-***-**** ● E-mail: acd9vu@r.postjobfree.com

EVENTS COORDINATOR

Event Management ■ Budgeting ■ Forecasting ■ Relationship Cultivation

Industrious and innovative event management professional with expertise in leading the planning,

coordination, implementation, and wrap-up of up to 75 events per year. Motivated, enthusiastic and

goal-oriented specialist with expertise in preparing detailed budgets and forecasts for each event, liaising

with corporate sponsors and membership and managing on-site event staff. Excellent communicator,

collaborator, and facilitator with an ability to operate effectively in dynamic working environments.

Knowledge and expertise include:

Event Management Budgeting & Forecasting Food & Beverage Coordination

Teamwork & Collaboration Marketing & Promotion On-Site Event Management

Vendor Contract Negotiation Audio-Visual Equipment Sponsor/Corporate Guest Liaison

EDUCATION

Marketing Management (Event Marketing Associate Certificate) - British Columbia

Institute of Technology (2008)

Self-motivated professional with a proven ability to collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams in the

development and execution of multiple high-profile events

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

THE VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE 2013 to 2014

Catering Coordinator Vancouver, BC

Managed the complete event cycle from inquiry, site inspection, proposal, sales contract to

production logistics and menu planning;

Managed client’s overall event program, objectives, needs and expectations;

Monitored client’s plan and budget and customized service deliveries accordingly;

Assisted sales department in client site inspections and Chef’s Table events;

Promoted food and beverage to maximize revenue;

Liaised with event service providers/vendors to facilitate events;

Collaborated with kitchen and banquet teams to provide customized service;

Created floor plans in AutoCAD to client specification;

THE VANCOUVER BOARD OF TRADE 1998 to 2013

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Event Coordinator

Vancouver, BC

Initially hired in Events Reservations (1998-2005) before receiving promotion into positions of

increasing responsibility, to include: Events & Program Assistant (2005-2010), Events Coordinator and

Venue Manager (2010-Present).

Responsible for the timely and efficient management logistics activities associated with the

staging of 75 events per year.

Skillfully managed a diverse array of day-to-day operational duties, which included: full-cycle

event management activities, stage set-up, organizing guest speakers, overseeing registration and

managing relationships with corporate guests and event sponsors.

Cultivated strong working relationships with upscale hotels and negotiated preferred rates for the

organization to preserve operating budgets and deliver increased value to all involved.

Successfully streamlined operational processes by implementing an improved system for

checking guest attendance by leveraging new tablet/mobile device technologies.

Utilized vast experience to under-guarantee events to preserve operating budgets, minimizing

waste, while meeting guest expectations.

Coordinated the printing and presentation of all sponsor marketing collateral to ensure

recognition for their contribution to the event, supervised event volunteers/venue staff during the

event, and performed after-event reconciliations to ensure accurate invoicing for all venues and

vendors.

Assisted with event promotion and marketing initiatives to ensure adequate awareness of events.

Managed menu selection, floor plans, audio-visual and other equipment, and prepared event

forecasting and budget documents for review by senior management.

HOSPITALITY EXPERIENCE

Senior Guest Service Agent - Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort, Whistler (1994-1995)

Executive Concierge - Wedgewood Hotel, Vancouver (1993-1994)

Senior Front Office Clerk - Sheraton Plaza 500, Vancouver (1990-1993)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Leadership, Management, Service, Loyalty - The Disney Keys to Excellence (2009)

Leadership Mastery Program, Power Within Inc. featuring renowned authors and business

experts, including: Dr. Laura D’Andrea Tyson, Malcolm Gladwell, Dan Gilbert, Arianna Huffington,

Ram Charan, Peter Guber, and Frank Abagnale.

COMPUTER SKILLS

MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, iMIS, Ungerboeck (EBMS)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Currently volunteer with Pets and Friends; World Police and Fire Games (2009)

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