Sales Marketing
Resume:
Margaret P. McDermott
Silver Spring, Maryland 20901
********.*********@*****.***
Seasoned special event director with a track record of planning, designing, marketing and implementing full scale special events to maximize client concept and budget. My history of detailed logistics, professionalism and a hands-on management style has contributed to creating a profit making business from an empty unutilized space by providing a range of services from small private functions to large scale conferences. By offering a strong network of relationships with major event professionals, I am able to thrive in high paced environments and organizing fluid events from set-up to wrap-up.
Core Competencies:
Managed a full spectrum of corporate and other special events including:
Corporate and Political Functions
Fundraisers & Business Development Events
Conferences & Annual Meetings
Concerts, Weddings, Dances & Balls
Award Ceremonies
Religious Celebrations & Ceremonies
Summary of Qualifications:
Knowledgeable in all aspects of the special event business from conceptualization to implementation and follow-up.
Highly regarded for demonstrating resourcefulness and versatility, anticipating unforeseen unpredictable moment-to-moment problems associated with event planning and calmly maintaining a tight rein on the numerous logistical details involved in both large, highly visible events as well as small routine functions.
Received professional recognition in the Washingtonian Magazine, Unique Meeting, Wedding, Party Places in greater Washington Area, and with the Special Event Site Marketing Alliance.
Maintain an active rolodex of the most reliable and well-respected vendors in the metropolitan area, from florists and caterers to short notice emergency back-up suppliers.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Experience:
Margaret McDermott Design, 9409 Seminole Street, Silver Spring, Maryland 20901
2008-Present, Event Planner, President, Owner
Establish budget with regular updates
Create time line
To do list distributed to all necessary players
Create contact list distributed to all vendors
Vendor referral for site location, caterer, florist, etc.
Customize theme, floor, plan, agenda
Unlimited consulting
Attend event from beginning to end
Post event follow-up
Argyle Country Club 14600 Argyle Club Lane, Silver Spring, Maryland
2006-2007, Catering Director
Assist client with menu planning, food and beverage coordination, table design
Arrange all details of conventions and catering events
Establish client base of organizations, associations, and commercial businesses
Direct day-to-day activities of catering team
Achieve budgeted revenues and personal sales goals
Share passion for the love of the event
Hands-on management style to ensure staff is working with you not for you
McLean Gardens Ballroom, 3811 Porter Street, NW, Washington, DC
1984-2006, Special Events Director
Created and orchestrated extensive marketing strategies that successfully strengthened McLean Gardens Ballroom into a fiscally profitable enterprise. Rated among the top event facilities in town, McLean Gardens Ballroom has become a Washington metropolitan area institution
Solely responsible for overall sales, event design, planning, budgeting, scheduling, staff/volunteer recruiting, contractor supervision, marketing, advertising, logistics, security, on-site management and facilities maintenance
Negotiated contracts with outside vendors that provided favorable terms for McLean Gardens. Including: decorators, florists, caterers, photographers, and entertainment managers
Consistently attained sales goals by generating a progressively growing revenue stream
Initiated and conducted client sales meetings and pre and post site inspections
Created customized floor plans and recommended event formats that best met clients’ requirements
Prepared and conceptualized advertising and promotional material, including web site development
Served as the Public Relations specialist and main point of contact for all media.
Wrote event overview reports and compiled post event financial reports
Organized the McLean Gardens Residents Association’s Annual Meetings and managed its 50th and 60th Anniversaries, including coordination from concept to print historical booklets
Hosted and produced radio station Z104.1 promotional concerts for top name artists including Tori Amos, Joss Stone, Lenny Kravitz, and Green Day among others
Special Events Marketing Alliance (SESMA), Washington, D.C.
2002-2006, Founding Member and President
SESMA is a 200 member association of the D.C. metropolitan area event sites that includes industry professionals, event planners, photographers, florists, caterers and restaurateurs with the mission of marketing their businesses through the organization’s web site, a printed directory, monthly networking meetings and educational gatherings.
Presidential Inauguration Planning: Assisted in the planning and execution of celebratory Presidential Inaugural events, 1994-2009
Volunteer Work:
As a site director I oversee set-ups, supervise and mentor volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, act as chief liaison, coordinate and produce whatever is needed to help reach the marketing and fundraising goals.
Taste of the Nation, 1994-2005: I have been an active volunteer since 1994 of this yearly fundraising event sponsored by American Express and benefiting So Others May Eat (SOME), with the purpose of feeding the homeless in the Washington metro area; approximately 120 of the best area restaurants and wineries donate their time and talent and over 900 people attend.
Brides Against Breast Cancer, 1986-20006: I have been an active site locator, location and event organizer since 2002 for this nation-wide tour of 1,200 donated wedding gowns to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Society.
N Street Village, 2005- present: A women’s residential drug and alcohol center in Washington D.C. I have worked with the Director Development on the annual fundraising gala for 450 guests at various locations including the Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Ritz Carlton Hotel, and the Newsseum. This event generated over $560,000 net income.
Race for the Cure 1996-2010
St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 1998 – Present: Director Special Events, planned 50th,60th parish anniversaries, Confirmation, Easter celebrations, Christmas décor, etc.
Professional Recognition:
Washingtonian Magazine 1987, 1997, 2001, 2003 and 2004
Unique Meeting, Wedding, and Party Places in Greater Washington Area 2006
Education:
Associate of Arts Degree, Immaculata College, Washington, D.C., Maryland University, College Park, Maryland. Major: Women and American Indian History.
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