MEETING & EVENT PLANNING SKILLS
SUMMARY:
Versatile, results-oriented executive with proven skills and track record in all aspects of meeting, tradeshow and
conference management. Extensive strength and experience in people management, problem-solving, fiscal
accountability, strategic planning, marketing and research, communication/presentation skills, and customer service.
• Strategize with senior executives to meet organizational goals and objectives through meetings and events; design
event specifications to meet organizational needs and objectives.
• Plan, implement, manage and evaluate more than 100 U.S. and international meetings, tradeshows, conferences
and events with an annual budget of $20 million ranging from 100 to 10,000 attendees.
• P&L responsibility for operations; solicited and leveraged more than $4MM annually in corporate sponsorships.
• Build and maintain relationships with vendors, suppliers, customers and exhibitors; negotiate and manage more
than 300 contracts per year.
• Manage five professional meeting planners providing performance expectations, feedback and training and
development; project-manage multiple cross-functional teams.
• Plan and execute major aspects of meeting management to include selecting sites, developing marketing
materials, building registration processes and databases, and providing on-site management for assigned meetings
ranging from 30 to 3,000 attendees.
• Prepare and manage program budgets up to $5,000,000.
• Negotiate complex service contracts and approve all meeting expenses.
• Manage meeting vendors to include venues, transportation, hotels, caterers, security and speakers.
• Plan and execute assigned meetings and events ranging from 20 to 2,000 attendees.
• Manage meeting vendors for delivery of services to include food and beverage, production, entertainment,
transportation, housing, and security.
• Monitor and track budget, registration, and housing for all corporate meetings and events.
• Research sites and vendors for future meetings and events.
• Coordinate housing and travel requests.
• Organize contracts, promotional materials, and meeting files.
• Track expenses and prepare department reports.
• Maintain registration and housing databases.
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
• Reduced logistical expenditures by 15% resulting in a cost-savings of $900,000.
• Streamlined meeting planning process resulting in a time-savings of 22% and achieving an error rate of < 1%.
• Developed and implemented company’s first-ever policies and procedures manual governing meetings and
events.
• Negotiated five-year contract with price reductions, concessions, volume discounts, and new services resulting in
an annual added value of $1,000,000.
AFFILIATIONS:
• Member of the International Board of Directors for Meeting Professionals International, 2003 to present
• Chapter President for Meeting Professionals International, 1995 to 1997
• Member of Meeting Professionals International, 1990 to present