Event Planner

Kerrigan Makarich

** ********* **, ***** **** Beach, NC 28469 - cell 910-***-**** - *********@*****.***

- www.linkedin.com/in/kerridowner -

Professional Experience

BAO Events March 2012 - Present

Event Planner; Ocean Isle Beach, NC

Wells Fargo Corporate Learning & Event Center Dec 2010 - Feb 2012

Event Manager / Project Coordinator; San Francisco, CA

Plan and execute all internal meetings. Serve as main contact for all setup, catering, audio visual, and logistics, from planning phase through conclusion. Plan trainings and meetings for groups of 5 to 90 people. Member of website re-design and content team. Learned basic HTML coding. Also on a team that designed the standard operating procedures for the entire group. Collaborated with project teams across the country to improve the operation of group.

The Linux Foundation March 2010 – Aug 2010

Contract Event Manager; San Francisco, CA

Helped organize and execute annual user conference of 500-700 attendees at The Boston Renaissance Hotel, &

several local conferences for 250-350 attendees. Organized logistics, registration, room setups, and layouts.

Managed vendors, 30 exhibitors and 20 staff.

WebTrends Dec 2009 - Dec 2010

Contract Event Planner; San Francisco, CA

Conducted site visits to hotels in San Francisco for company programs with 200-300 attendees. Assisted Event

Director in planning, logistics, registration, and room blocks. Acted as local liaison for all pre-event planning.

Schools.com -- Contributing Freelance Writer Aug 2009 – Dec 2009

Worked directly with Schools.com Editor. Submitted Events and Hospitality industry articles, upon Editor’s request.

Advised editor regarding relevant industry content and degree programs. Example article: In the Fire: A Closer Look

at Working in the Hospitality Industry http://www.schools.com/news/a-look-at-working-in-the-hospitality-industry

Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport Jan 2008 - Aug 2009

Catering Sales Manager / Event Manager; Burlingame, CA

Achieved a monthly sales quota of $109K in food and beverage revenue. Planned, implemented & facilitated all

aspects of group programs and events with up to 2,000 attendees. Orchestrated meetings, focusing on client

needs, logistics, vendor relations, cost analysis, set-up, audio-visual, VIP’s, transportation, off-site entertainment,

reservations, rooming lists, registration and menu selection. Increased sales for social catering, corporate meetings, seminars and trade show sectors. Established relationships leading to repeat clients; prospected new contacts

andnew business. Served as point of contact for client, vendors, and participants. Designed and implemented fresh

marketing and promotion initiatives.

Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf May 2006 - Jan 2008

Director of Banquets and Convention Services; San Francisco, CA

Executed all logistics for event functions and operations for groups of up to 400 attendees. Coached, trained and

supervised a staff of 30 employees. Ran 2 departments, planned and coordinated all logistics and setup, food and

beverage design and layout. Recognized as Manager of the Quarter, Fall 2006. Collaborated with clients and other departments to customize programs and ensure guest satisfaction. Worked with Marketing team on campaigns to

increase food and beverage sales. Implemented a new corporate training program. Motivated and trained staff to

promote guest satisfaction; increased meeting planner scores in all service areas.

The Park Hyatt San Francisco Jan 2006 - May 2006 Director of Banquets and Convention Services; San Francisco, CA

Worked with Sales team; executed all event functions according to plan. Staffed, trained, and supervised a department

of 30 employees. Managed event setup and logistics, food distribution and layout. Designed and implemented new

training program. Revamped standard operating procedures. Oversaw operations, including scheduling and organizing banquet and convention service department duties. Worked directly with VIP clients; executed smooth programs and exceeded guest satisfaction levels. Maintained a five star five diamond standard and increased meeting planner survey scores in all service levels.

The Isles Restaurant & Beach Club / Islander Inn Sept 2003 - Nov 2005

Special Events Manager / Restaurant General Manager; Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina

Implemented and developed event sector. Improved productivity, sales & operations. Sold and serviced all special

Events. Helped design marketing plan. Maintained a staff of 40, overseeing operations of 250 seat restaurant. This

included budget, ordering, & payroll. Generated yearly revenue of $1.2 million. Negotiated 300K worth of catering sales.

Education

Appalachian state University – Boone, North Carolina Aug 1998 – May 2003

BSBA/ Hospitality and Tourism Management; Hospitality internship with Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida

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