Alyssa M. Kolat, CMP

**** ********** **** ****, ******, VA 22181

571-***-**** (c) adzdqn@r.postjobfree.com Linkedin

Secret US Security Clearance

Event design and logistics professional with over 15 years of leadership expertise in meetings and attendee education logistics, hotel and convention center contracting and the RFP lifecycle including site selection, transportation, housing and registration. Ability to navigate concurrent projects and priorities with attention to mentoring a team. Expert in convention housing, transportation, logistics and contracting.

Consistently reliable, high-energy, strategic leader with the ability to successfully manage a strong performance team delivering high quality events, educational programs, conventions, and expositions.

CORE SKILLS

Event Design & Strategy Site Selection Contract Negotiation Budget Development

Public Speaking & Training Convention Logistics Solutions Oriented Measurable Results

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Independent Meetings and Conventions Consultant April 2022 - present

Full-time independent contractor on long- and short-term contract opportunities.

The Hill: sourced, contracted, and lead onsite management of 6 meetings in June and July 2023

The T!LT Group (since 4/2022) site selection, contract negotiation, transportation, onsite logistics, food and beverage management.

Manager, Enterprise Meetings and Events

Site Solutions Worldwide October 2020 – April 2023

Site Solutions Worldwide is an international meetings management organization.

Manage housing, contracting, meetings & events for international games events: Olympic Games, FIFA Men and Women’s World Cup, PanAm Games. 200 - 750 rooms on peak, across 20+ hotels over 100-150 days.

Provide site selection, housing, and contracting for hotels and convention centers among other projects as part of a team of Site Solutions & designed international transportation, hotel, and event space contracts.

Saved over $9.5k in 2021, $11k in 2022, managing potential housing no-shows and early/late check in expenses, etc.

Manager, Executive Meetings and Events

Cvent September 2019 – June 2020

Cvent is the world’s leading provider of e-commerce solutions for meetings, housing and convention management.

Manage Cvent's executive-facing educational programs and staff of two junior planners: training, performance reviews, resources allocation, etc.

Partnered across teams to design and execute strategic programs, continually enhancing the guess experience and program ROI.

Create and design Cvent standard venue and hotel contracts and manage housing via Passkey.

Meetings Manager October 2013 – September 2019

National Rifle Association of America

●Director level management of contracting, logistics, space utilization and resource allocation for over $10mm P&L for meetings, conventions, and meetings team.

●Lead team of two meeting coordinators and two exhibitor services reps

●Direct execution of NRA’s high-level events: Board of Directors, Women’s Leadership, and Annual Prayer Breakfast. Speakers include celebrities, musicians, high-ranking government, and military VIPs.

●Lead hotel contracting, catering, parking shuttles and transportation, VIP ribbon cutting ceremony, evening VIP events for winter show over 10 days, 179,000 attendees, 42+ hotels. Lead annual renewal contracts with venue, catering, transportation, and hotels.

●Quadrupled the convention housing revenue from $121k to $500k in only 3 years by overhauling the RFP process, managing cancellation fees, and changing vendor & hotel contract terms.

Meetings Manager June 2012 – October 2013

International Association of Fire Chiefs

Recruited by the NRA to the Meetings Manager opportunity.

●Co-lead an annual citywide of 10,000 attendees, 12,000 room nights, and 14+ hotels and over 500 exhibits. Senior Conference manager leading three conferences with up to 1,000 attendees with exhibits floor. Conference budgets totaled over $6mm. Develop and lead RFPs and selection for registration and housing services.

●Lead team of client, exhibitor and registration services reps.

●Manage volunteer and speaker teams, directing content development and production.

●Manage CEO level, speaker and VIP logistics, housing, travel, and onsite commitments.

Meetings Manager January 2012 – June 2012

Council for Advancement and Support of Education, CASE

Recruited by the IAFC to the Conference and Meetings Manager opportunity.

●Oversee meeting planning for 11 annual meetings ranging in attendance from 50 – 200.

●Manage delivery: logistics, audio visual, food and beverage, hotel, housing, meeting room assignments, registration, exhibits, special events, speakers’ provisions, shipping of materials, and on-site activities. Facilitate on site workshops such as general sessions, roundtables, panel discussions.

●Recruit and manage over 75 Conference Chairs and Volunteers.

Director, Events and Education September 2007 – December 2011

National Association of Federal Credit Unions

●Lead team of 4 Associate Directors and Administrative staff managing 9 conferences, 4 Board Meetings and 24 webcasts annually. Direct execution of conferences: Board & committee meetings, partner events and fundraisers, spouse/guest tours, golf outings, transportation, exhibit hall, and all aspects of meeting and conference planning.

●Lead AV and Tech RFPs. Backstage management of speakers and celebrities.

●Direct the NAFCU Certified Compliance Officer certification program: over 350 certified officers, requiring 26 educational units every 2 years. Created bi-monthly webinar series for NCCO credits annualizing over $55k.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS, AFFILIATIONS

●B.A., English, University of Richmond, VA

●Certified Meeting Professional, Events Industry Council, 2007 – present (#25007)

●Appointed to Visit Milwaukee’s Consumer Advisory Council 2022 – present

●Executive Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism, Florida Atlantic University, 2023

●Digital Events Strategist, PCMA, May 2021

●Cvent Certifications: Event Management, Hybrid Meetings, Cvent Supplier Network

●Certified Pandemic Compliance Advisor; MPI Events Leadership Institute Certificate of Pandemic Onsite Protocol

●Member since 2010: PCMA, AMPs & MPI 2018 – present: Volunteer – MPI International Proposal Review Committee; MPI Potomac Chapter Business Development Committee & Member Engagement Committee; AMPs Member Engagement Committee. Past AMPs Board Member

●Instructor for PCMA & MPI CMP Boot Camps, Reston-Herndon Meeting Planners, MPI and Marriott Masters

Contact this candidate