Ashley Craven, CMP, DES
Manager, Conferences and Events, Corporate Partnerships at Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Christine Mack, CED, DES
I first met Ashley when she was my instructor at Algonquin College. She has been an amazing teacher and mentor the entire program. Within the first month I asked her industry questions unrelated to the class material; she took all the time in the world to answer, and welcomed more. Ashley is knowledgable, friendly, approachable and genuinely interested in helping others. I feel so fortunate to have crossed paths! Thank you Ashley!
Anthony V.
I first met Ashley at a conference in Toronto. She quickly showed she's both knowledgeable, fair & honest - and extremely pleasant to be around, let alone work with. We've now attended several conferences since, worked together & proudly call each other friends. Ashley continues to demonstrate her extreme work rate through determination towards her professional development, and continued education, but throughout this process has established herself as a leader within her field. Her involvement in the meetings & event industry speaks for itself, and her reputation continues to be demonstrated to those around her through peer acknowledgements & awards. Delighted to work with her & I'm excited to recommend her.
Christine Mack, CED, DES
I first met Ashley when she was my instructor at Algonquin College. She has been an amazing teacher and mentor the entire program. Within the first month I asked her industry questions unrelated to the class material; she took all the time in the world to answer, and welcomed more. Ashley is knowledgable, friendly, approachable and genuinely interested in helping others. I feel so fortunate to have crossed paths! Thank you Ashley!
Anthony V.
I first met Ashley at a conference in Toronto. She quickly showed she's both knowledgeable, fair & honest - and extremely pleasant to be around, let alone work with. We've now attended several conferences since, worked together & proudly call each other friends. Ashley continues to demonstrate her extreme work rate through determination towards her professional development, and continued education, but throughout this process has established herself as a leader within her field. Her involvement in the meetings & event industry speaks for itself, and her reputation continues to be demonstrated to those around her through peer acknowledgements & awards. Delighted to work with her & I'm excited to recommend her.
Christine Mack, CED, DES
I first met Ashley when she was my instructor at Algonquin College. She has been an amazing teacher and mentor the entire program. Within the first month I asked her industry questions unrelated to the class material; she took all the time in the world to answer, and welcomed more. Ashley is knowledgable, friendly, approachable and genuinely interested in helping others. I feel so fortunate to have crossed paths! Thank you Ashley!
Anthony V.
I first met Ashley at a conference in Toronto. She quickly showed she's both knowledgeable, fair & honest - and extremely pleasant to be around, let alone work with. We've now attended several conferences since, worked together & proudly call each other friends. Ashley continues to demonstrate her extreme work rate through determination towards her professional development, and continued education, but throughout this process has established herself as a leader within her field. Her involvement in the meetings & event industry speaks for itself, and her reputation continues to be demonstrated to those around her through peer acknowledgements & awards. Delighted to work with her & I'm excited to recommend her.
Christine Mack, CED, DES
I first met Ashley when she was my instructor at Algonquin College. She has been an amazing teacher and mentor the entire program. Within the first month I asked her industry questions unrelated to the class material; she took all the time in the world to answer, and welcomed more. Ashley is knowledgable, friendly, approachable and genuinely interested in helping others. I feel so fortunate to have crossed paths! Thank you Ashley!
Anthony V.
I first met Ashley at a conference in Toronto. She quickly showed she's both knowledgeable, fair & honest - and extremely pleasant to be around, let alone work with. We've now attended several conferences since, worked together & proudly call each other friends. Ashley continues to demonstrate her extreme work rate through determination towards her professional development, and continued education, but throughout this process has established herself as a leader within her field. Her involvement in the meetings & event industry speaks for itself, and her reputation continues to be demonstrated to those around her through peer acknowledgements & awards. Delighted to work with her & I'm excited to recommend her.
Credentials
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Pandemic On-Site Protocol Training
Event Leadership InstituteFeb, 2022- Oct, 2024 -
Digital Events Strategist
PCMANov, 2020- Oct, 2024 -
Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
Events Industry CouncilJan, 2018- Oct, 2024
Experience
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Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists
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Canada
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Non-profit Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Manager, Conferences and Events, Corporate Partnerships
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Feb 2019 - Present
Responsible for the success of and execution of the National Conference attracting 550+ participants (virtually and in-person) annually• Created and managed conference budget of $250,000, with the goal of breaking even or producing a modest profit, which has increased year over year.• Developed marketing plans and created collateral • Lead abstract and presentation selection including program committee recruitment and management. Followed by speaker management of 60+ speakers and panelists, who presented both in-person and virtually • Created cohesive program design ensuring there were sessions for all MRT modalities, engaging keynotes, well curated panels, and memorable networking experiences• Managed registration and virtual platform including building forms, reports, populating pages and sessions, creating policies, processing payments, etc.• Developed and executed an extensive pandemic on-site Duty of Care plan to ensure a safe return to in-person events in 2022 and beyond• Curated catering ensuring dietary restrictions were honored and suitable well-balanced meals were offered for all participants• Handled all aspects of audio visual and production requirements for events, including live steaming, mobile voting, and complex set up requirements• Crafted RFPs then managed selection process and negotiated contracts for audio visual, venues, registration and virtual platform software, mobile apps• Sold advertising and sponsorship while maintaining relationships with partners. Including conference sponsorship and exhibit sales. • Secured corporate hotel and created simple booking system for F&B and AV for other departments to easily book ad hoc committee meetings• Produced first ever virtual (2021) and hybrid (2022) conferences• Composed and distributed 35+ page post event report annually • Coordinated with partner associations to ensure CAMRT presence at their events. • Established swag store
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Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology
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Canada
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Professor
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Dec 2018 - Apr 2021
Taught various courses such as: Computer Applications for Event Management and Programming for Weddings, Galas and Festivals. Working one or two semesters per year depending on program need • Responsible for course content, explaining assignments and tests, grading, managing Learning Management System (LMS) for course• Worked with program coordinator and other faculty to ensure a positive and effective learning environment for all students Taught various courses such as: Computer Applications for Event Management and Programming for Weddings, Galas and Festivals. Working one or two semesters per year depending on program need • Responsible for course content, explaining assignments and tests, grading, managing Learning Management System (LMS) for course• Worked with program coordinator and other faculty to ensure a positive and effective learning environment for all students
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Senior Project Coordinator
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Jul 2018 - Feb 2019
• Managed conferences efficiently, effectively and with total quality control for national and international clients• Sold exhibits and sponsorship for various conferences as well as created custom sponsorship packages• Wrote designed prospectuses for multiple conferences• Built online registration forms using custom software • Managed registration ahead of conferences and on-site• Negotiated contracts with suppliers for displays, mobile apps, venues, hotels etc• Provided support and acted as back up to the Director of IT• Built and maintained websites using WordPress• Built e-mail campaigns using Constant Contact
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Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
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Canada
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Higher Education
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1 - 100 Employee
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Event Planner
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Sep 2015 - Jun 2018
On planning team for The Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, the biggest academic conference in Canada with over 10,000 delegates in 2017• Lead coordinator of tradeshow with 50+ exhibitors. Including sales, invoicing, designing layout of the exhibit hall, managing show services, shipping, signage, managing budget, set up/tear down, scheduling, shipments etc.• Ran high level speaker series that took place each day during Congress as well as 6 times a year on Parliament Hill• Led logistics for Annual Conference, Big Thinking on the Hill series, staff retreats, and all other non-Congress events as needed. Including managing registration, securing venues and hotel blocks, AV, signage, food and beverage, staff and speaker travel, surveys, event scenarios, simultaneous interpretation etc• Grew sales year over year for advertising for Congress program guide and website • Assisted with maintaining and updating conference website, and social media• Created RFPs for venues and suppliers• Created post-event evaluations, analyzed, and distributed findings
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Hilton Garden Inn
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United States
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Hospitality
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700 & Above Employee
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Sales and Catering Coordinator
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Aug 2014 - Sep 2015
• Coordinated with clients to ensure all details of their meetings and events are taken care of; accommodations, food and beverage, contracts, AV, rentals, review of BEO’s and any other key elements leading up to their event and on-site day of.• Achieved monthly sales targets buy creating new business and maintaining current• Responsible for all bookings under 100 attendees; Associations, Arbitrations, Training Sessions and Real Estate Seminars as well as other markets as necessary • Negotiated guest room rates for group blocks for weddings and sports teams• Responsible for posting charges and invoicing and balancing accounts for all bookings• Insured strong communication between departments• Created and managed social media• Overhauled wedding package offerings• Performed site tours for prospective clients and guests• Assisted in managing guest expectations while undergoing an expansion
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Manager
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Aug 2013 - Apr 2014
• Managed and created staff schedule while lowing labour costs • Booked and managed expectations of large parties and special events• Decreased waste and shortages by managing inventory for wine, beer and liquor• Ordered and price compared items needed for day to day operations to lower operational costs• Created new cocktail and drink recipes and worked with graphic designer to overhaul menus• Worked closely with owner during restaurant expansion to insure smooth transition• Set up and executed successful staff incentive programs, online training programs, sales contests• Created, managed and maintained social media
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Kinki Restaurant
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Restaurants
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1 - 100 Employee
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Manager
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Apr 2013 - Aug 2013
o Responsible for starting and cutting staff as well as delegating sections to lower labour costso Assisted customers new to sushi and Asian fusion to create memorable guest experiences increasing positive online reviewso Assisted General Manager in booking, setup and execution of many dynamic events on site o Responsible for starting and cutting staff as well as delegating sections to lower labour costso Assisted customers new to sushi and Asian fusion to create memorable guest experiences increasing positive online reviewso Assisted General Manager in booking, setup and execution of many dynamic events on site
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Reservations Manager/Head Server
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Sep 2012 - May 2013
• Set up floor for various types of shows (live bands, karaoke, comedy, burlesque, private corporate events)• Adapted the room to accommodate the large variety of programming and events at the venue• Held pre-shift meetings with staff alongside venue manager and owners• Communicated with potential guests and parties via email daily• Worked with promoters to organize discounts on tickets for large groups and special events• Insured shifts were staff appropriately depending on programming• Worked with chef to arrange and create custom menus for certain events and bookings• Created database of email addresses for bi-weekly newsletter and promoted the venue using social media• Created and enforced new policies and procedures
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Mars
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United States
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Manufacturing
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700 & Above Employee
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Sales Representative
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Apr 2011 - Apr 2013
• Worked with customers to secure secondary display space and refilled and maintained displays/fixtures• Strived to meet goals insuring thorough distribution of products and SKUs in every account• Data entry through hand held technology using job specific software as well as in paper form• Territory management through customer coverage and efficient and effective use of time and resources• Followed company procedures in processing credits and insured needs were met for customer incentive• programs• Forecasted sales, reached to meet target and kept DSM updated on progress and challenges regularly• Before resigning was approached to be mentored onto further growth within the company
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Bartender/Server
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Jan 2009 - Jan 2012
o Scheduled reservations and worked with event management team to coordinate special functionso Served and managed various private parties and dinner theatreo Described specific ingredients and cooking methods of creole cuisine o Served large groups of 25 or more aloneo Planned and executed first ever onsite wedding ceremony, cocktail hour and dinner for 130 guests on my own o Scheduled reservations and worked with event management team to coordinate special functionso Served and managed various private parties and dinner theatreo Described specific ingredients and cooking methods of creole cuisine o Served large groups of 25 or more aloneo Planned and executed first ever onsite wedding ceremony, cocktail hour and dinner for 130 guests on my own
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Studio Manager
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Nov 2009 - Mar 2011
o Performed inventory, payroll, hiring, training and scheduling for two locations.o Organized runs between studios weeklyo Balanced cash dailyo Maintained quality control of photography and completed portrait packageso Photographed various portraits for graduates, business headshots, families and petso Increased profits by cutting labour costs, upselling packages and managing appointments for maximum efficiency o Performed inventory, payroll, hiring, training and scheduling for two locations.o Organized runs between studios weeklyo Balanced cash dailyo Maintained quality control of photography and completed portrait packageso Photographed various portraits for graduates, business headshots, families and petso Increased profits by cutting labour costs, upselling packages and managing appointments for maximum efficiency
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Education
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2013 - 2014
Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology
Post Graduate Certificate, Event Management -
2006 - 2008
Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology
Diploma, Photography
Community
