Iris M. Katz

*** ******** ***** • Morganville, NJ 07751 732-***-**** • adixp6@r.postjobfree.com

Meeting & Event Planner • Program Manager • Project Coordinator

Highly organized, energetic meeting and event planner with 30 years of experience in event planning, project management, and budgeting/cost control.

Skilled at independently managing multiple, complex projects with an emphasis on quality outcomes.

Collaborating with diverse clientele to plan, facilitate, and execute successful events.

Extensive experience in the catering and hospitality industries with exceptional customer service and team building skills.

Experienced with coordination of high volume programs on medical speaker bureau with both live and virtual programming.

Able to oversee and organize all personnel necessary for smooth event execution.

Unique ability to synchronize the essential details of multiple meetings.

Excellent sales and marketing skills developed over a diverse career history across multiple positions.

Key Strengths

Event Planning/Coordination • Adobe Connect • Microsoft Office • New Business Development

Client & Vendor Relations • Site Selection • Contract Negotiation • Key Account Management

Budget Administration • Corporate / Industry Networking • Staff Training/Supervision

Revenue Expansion • Administrative Tasks • Written/Verbal Communication • Multitasking

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

PHARMFORCE/MEDFORCE, Shrewsbury, NJ

Senior Program Coordinator Feb. 2014 to Oct. 2019, Feb. 2020 to Oct. 2020

Responsible for coordinating all aspects of high volume speaker bureau promotional programs from inception to completion.

•Carry out program execution for both live and virtual programming using Adobe Connect and Zoom virtual platforms for brand supported pharmaceutical promotional events including speaker communications and scheduling, travel arrangements, venue negotiation/contraction and execution within budget and according to compliance standards, audio visual negotiating/contracting, invitation development, attendee confirmation

•Accountable for the highest program count on the speaker bureau team

•Liaison between sales representatives, regional managers and physicians

•Managed all post program paperwork including speaker expense forms, post program material collection, and program reconciliation

•Database management of scheduled events and client interaction

Iris M. Katz

Page 2 • adixp6@r.postjobfree.com

CULINART GROUP – BROOKDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Lincroft, NJ

Catering Manager Jul. 2013 to Dec. 2013

Charged with establishing new on-campus catering department, building and maintaining business relationships with academia clientele to drive long-term growth and success. Developed and implemented necessary forms, policies, and procedures for the catering department.

•Produced proposals, contracts, and correspondence for special events and meetings, utilizing strong selling skills and event planning expertise to tactfully close sales with clients.

•Managed all human resources protocols, including hiring and training new catering staff.

CROWNE PLAZA MONROE, Monroe Township, NJ

Director of Sales & Catering/Event Planner Sep. 2006 to Jul. 2013

Successfully managed daily sales and event planning operations, sell meeting space, catering, and sleeping rooms to a diverse client base. Followed-up with clients on specific requests. Utilized database management software to maintain accurate filing and documentation of all events.

•Collaborated with corporate and social clientele to plan and coordinate events and ensure project specifications and requests were accomplished before, during, and after event execution.

•Solicited new business and expanded client base while maintaining top 10 client accounts, providing exceptional customer satisfaction that contributed significantly to increasing catering revenue and overall hotel revenue through word-of-mouth referrals.

•Responsible for handling all billing and money collection for catering sales totaling over $1M.

HOLIDAY INN, South Plainfield, NJ

Director of Sales & Catering Jan. 1995 to Mar. 2006

Responsible for directing sales of meeting space and managing catering events for corporate and social clients. Coordinated with Chef to accurately communicate and plan special catering requests.

•Built positive relationships with corporate clientele to drive sales growth and word-of-mouth business.

•Oversaw meeting and event progress to ensure client satisfaction and adherence to specifications.

•Served as primary liaison between Sales Manager and Banquet Manager as well as between Sales Department and General Manager to foster information exchange and effective communication.

HILTON GATEWAY HOTEL, Newark, NJ

Director of Catering & Banquet Services May 1991 to Oct. 1994

Administered and supervised day-to-day aspects of catering and meeting sales for corporate and social clients. Coordinated meeting space and room night accommodations, prepared contracts and correspondence, and organized catering services and special requests.

•Maintained function diary and inspected meeting rooms prior to usage to ensure proper setup in accordance with Hilton policies.

•Supervised catering staff during execution of duties and maintained updated catering file system.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Marketing, University of Maryland – College of Business, College Park, MD Certification: Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) - 2014

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