PROFILE:

• Educational Seminars Conferences Trade Shows Promotional Events Meeting Planning
• Client and Vendor Relationships Strategic Planning Contractual Negotiation and Oversight
• Budgeting Grants Incentive Programs Sales Fund - raising Cultural Planning
• Creative professional with dynamic industry career of over 20 years experience in all aspects of successful event planning, development, and management. Accomplished in conceptualizing, planning, staffing, creative design and promotion of successful sales and marketing campaigns. Excels at managing multiple projects focused on detail, problem solving and follow through. Sourced vendors, negotiated contracts and managed project budgets. Excellent written communications, interpersonal and presentation skills. Speaker at industry events.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

Procurement, Vendor Development & Inventory Control Management

• Institute, monitor and maintain compliance of policies and procedures. Procure and control inventory for all departments of 4800 acre Plantation Resort & Spa including oversight of Shipping and Receiving. Analyze market trends to ensure an effective strategy exists to drive sales revenue opportunities. Maintain Visual Merchandising Standards. Implement pivotal programs to drive client relationship building, vendor development and generate business
• Manage procurement, inventory control and vendor relationships for 4800 acre Plantation Resort & Spa.
• Manage all Departmental Inventory related budgeting to achieve profitability targets.
• Creative Special Events, Catalogs, and relationship building to provide a variety of opportunities for exposure

Special Events Management

• Planned, coordinated, executed and managed all aspects of corporate meetings, conferences, and incentive programs for companies, professional associations, cultural and other organizations.
• Developed program content and administered budgets. Arranged all on-site logistics, including transportation, accommodations, meals, guest speakers, entertainment, and audio visual support. Managed contractual negotiations, and vendor assistance. Maintained database of information on major meeting sites, facilities, sponsors and vendors. Provided on-site assistance.
• Managed corporate meetings and recognition events ranging from 10 to 200 attendees.
• Collaborated on conferences and trade shows with averages of more than 1,000 participants.
• Organized over 90 well-attended educational conferences, many offering Continued Education Credits.

Fund-raising and Public Relations

• Developed and organized fund-raising programs utilizing special events, third party planning, contribution campaigns, and major gifts resulting in a significant increase in contributions. Specialized in fund-raising events, incentive programs, and corporate meetings. Experienced grant writer. Recruited and coordinated volunteer programs. Designed and supervised company based incentive program for employees and volunteers. Cultivated and secured corporate sponsorships. Generated media coverage through effective promotional and public relations strategies.
• Coordinated first time gala and silent auction with presence from local celebrities that raised $500,000 which went on to become an annual event.
• Effectively participated in a team that secured a donation of $5,000,000 over a 5 year period from one of the “Big 3” in the auto industry.
• Utilized various fund-raising efforts to assist becoming one of the top rated development teams within organization nationwide.

Marketing and Management

• Marketed and promoted venues, as well as, development and securing of sponsorships and managing trade exhibition. Direct sales to targeted markets including professionals of the banking and medical fields, universities, associations and government entities, and museums, art centers, and other cultural venues.
• Developed and obtained nearly $1 million dollars through direct sales efforts.
• Orchestrated sponsorship involvement of local and national organizations/corporations.
• Client Recognition received for appreciation of dedication, commitment, and support.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Experienced with all aspects of Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher. Full understanding of Banners, PageMaker, Delphi, Raiser’s Edge, DMG, Micros, DataWorks, and internal software packages. Knowledgeable in QuickBooks, POSITouch, and MXBatch.
• Interests & Activities
• Speaking Engagements on behalf of Cresteds with a Cause, Literacy Council, Confidential, Alzheimer’s Association, Sequatchie County Library, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, amongst others, on local, state and national levels.
• Editor of various association newsletters including Chinese Crested Club, Literacy Council, and Alzheimer’s Association.
• Served on the Board of Directors for Sequatchie County Friends of the Library and the Sequatchie County Fair. Volunteer for Breast Cancer Awareness Bicycling Events, Alzheimer’s Awareness, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Masonic organizations and involved with special events for local townships. Member of Meeting Planners International, Society of Incentive and Travel Executives, Toastmasters International, American Bankers Association, Tallahassee Society of Executives and several Chambers of Commerce
• Enjoy a variety of activities and hobbies including reading, ballroom dancing, swimming, bicycling, motorcycling, skydiving, scuba, speed skating, sporting events, hiking and camping.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Management Analyst

Confidential, Tallahassee, Florida

Buyer & Director of Inventory Control

Confidential, Greenville, Florida

Director of Special Events

Confidential, Tallahassee, Florida

Marketing Manager

Confidential, Carrabelle, Florida

Sales Manager

Confidential, Gainesville, Florida

Director of Meetings

Confidential, Tallahassee, Florida

Professional Development Director

Confidential, Tallahassee, Florida

Incentive Specialist/Meeting Planner

Confidential, Dunlap, Tennessee

Development Specialist

Confidential, Southfield, Michigan

Manger of Meetings & Incentives

Confidential, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Incentive Specialist/Meeting Coordinator

Confidential, Mount Laurel, New Jersey

Professional Ballroom Dance Competitor/Instructor

Confidential, Cherry Hill, New Jersey

Flight Attendant

Confidential, New York, New York, and Miami, Florida