Experience

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  Diplomatica

  • Los Angeles, California, United States

  • Senior Associate

    • Jan 2022 - Present
    • Los Angeles, California, United States

    Mary Carley is Senior Associate at Diplomatica. Prior to joining the firm, she was Senior Director Business Affairs for the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Bureau. LA Tourism’s mission is to advance the prosperity of L.A.’s visitor economy and Mary organized multiple global trade missions with government, business and tourism leaders to showcase Los Angeles as a premier visitor destination and global powerhouse for trade, innovation and tourism to the world at large. Mary has a deep knowledge of global event management and design, global procurement, operations and hospitality. She has organized over a dozen complex multi-country and city events in Europe, Latin America and Asia. Locally her portfolio included providing outreach and partnership opportunities to Los Angeles County cultural institutions to make the connection that culture, and the arts are a driver for visitor engagement and diversity. Taking a break from Los Angeles in 2013, Mary moved to Chicago to manage US Travel Association IPW 2014 for Choose Chicago. She successfully oversaw a complex hospitality and entertainment program for 7,000 international travel industry leaders, tour operators and media. Mary also has done public relations, product launches and events promotion for consumer goods and retail partners. She started her career as a proofreader at Esquire Magazine in New York rising to features copy editor. She is a graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.

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  ConferenceDirect

  • Los Angeles, California, United States

  • Global Project Manager

    • Apr 2022 - Dec 2022
    • Los Angeles, California, United States

    Provide strong strategic meetings management leadership and experience to diverse set of clients in the corporate and government sectors. Extensive experience in leading international programs around the world.

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  Mary Carley & Associate

  • Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

  • Event Marketing Consultant

    • Oct 2020 - Jan 2022
    • Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

    Successfully operate a boutique consultancy catering to sophisticated and diverse clientele. Execute trade missions and special projects in the tourism and arts/culture space.

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  Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board

  • Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

  • Senior Director Business Affairs

    • Aug 2015 - Apr 2020
    • Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

    Led robust team of 20+ civic and government leaders providing programming and content for multiple global trade missions and events. Designed and developed a trade missions portfolio of 30+ in-person complex and multi-country and city events whose purpose was to showcase Los Angeles as a global powerhouse for trade, innovation and tourism. Provided thought leadership to multiple top officials and Los Angeles industry leaders, as well as various country and city dignitaries. Responsible for global event day-to-day operations, including talent and relationship management, department budget and forecasting, and on-site execution.Provided outreach and partnership opportunities to Los Angeles country cultural institutions, to 'make the connection' that culture and the arts is a driver for visitor engagement. Editor of The African American Culture and Entertainment Guide to Los Angeles with distribution to 20,000 households and online presence.

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  Choose Chicago

  • Chicago IL

  • Project Manager

    • Jan 2013 - Apr 2014
    • Chicago IL

    Expertly managed and successfully executed a complex program for 7,000 travel industry leaders and media attending the prestigious IPW 2014 on behalf of the city of Chicago with a $6 million+ budget and diverse team of 30+. Delivered superb 'Chicago' signature events with specialty talent to impact future meetings and convention sales into the destination.

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  Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board

  • Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

  • Project Manager Special Assignments

    • Jan 2006 - May 2013
    • Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

    Managed several high impact tourism projects of import for the city of Los Angeles. Designed and executed the premier US tourism convention and marketplace, IPW 2012. Led major City of Los Angeles trade missions to Asia and Latin America for top city officials and industry leaders including contract negotiations, financial reporting, event marketing, sponsor fulfillment and travel.

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  Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board

  • Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

  • Associate Vice President, Travel Industry Marketing

    • Jan 1999 - Mar 2005
    • Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

    Developed and executed programming to promote Los Angeles as a premier tourism destination to key international markets, including Mexico, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan and South Korea. Focused on opening regional tourism offices for Los Angeles in the United Kingdom, Japan and Mexico.

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  Giorgio Beverly Hills, A Division ofProcter & Gamble

  • Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

  • Director, Special Events

    • 1986 - 1996
    • Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

    Led the global public relations and product launch efforts to promote the world's first blockbuster fragrance line, Giorgio Beverly Hills Fragrances which amassed 100 million in sales annually.

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  Esquire magazine

  • New York, New York

  • Assistant Editor

    • Jan 1977 - Jan 1980
    • New York, New York

    Feature copy editor for Esquire Magazine.