Experience

• 

  Etherio

  • Atlanta, Georgia, United States

  • Senior Event Manager

    • Aug 2023 - Present
    • Atlanta, Georgia, United States

    Etherio is a nationwide association and event management company. In my role, I am responsible for managing and supporting various events, from the beginning of conception through to the execution and final reconciliation, including budget. I am accountable for the day-to-day operation of large scale/budget meetings, client management and reporting on ROI.Principal Duties and Responsibilities: - Lead project manager for large scale projects (1,000+ attendees) with proven expertise in leading complex events, managing the planning, execution, and implementation of assigned event(s) - Work with, lead and support the project team to ensure adherence to client and company standards - Budget development, implementation, and wrap-up report development - Responsible for building project timelines, managing the project plan to drive team to meet client and vendor deliverables, as well as anticipate and manage when deadlines may be missed - Be solution-oriented and forward thinking when responding to client questions or providing recommendations - Supplier procurement and management of contracts to ensure quality and contractual compliance - Oversee venue communications by managing or overseeing F&B, group resume, event specifications, housing, room block, and final invoice review - Sponsor/exhibitor fulfillment duties including prospectus development, exhibitor/sponsor communications, general services contractor and floor plan management -Speaker management to include speaker portal setup, timeline establishment, speaker communications, data collection, and speaker travel/registration management -Work with Marketing department on collateral communications and development– theme, concept, design, and implementation - On-site event execution to include staff assignments/management, venue and supplier management, implementation of event logistics, exhibit/sponsor management, and speaker management. -Serve as direct supervisor for event managers/coordinators

• 

  eventPower

  • Project Manager

    • Feb 2022 - Aug 2023

    eventPower serves the meeting and convention industry by providing conference management software tools and services that make our clients more efficient. Skilled, certified meeting planning professionals combined with state-of-the-art, cloud-based software tools ensure the realization of our client’s vision for their event. The eventPower team is committed and engaged throughout the conference production cycle.Primary Role Responsibilities:• Full project management cycle: Kick-off meeting, project deliverables/timelines - through event execution.• Primary event planner responsibilities: Marketing, Communications, Registration, Speakers, Logistics, Menus, Budget management and Post event evaluation; Sales/re-sign process.• Lead and manage assigned event teams – liaison between client, eventPower staff, and vendors.• Virtual, hybrid and full-service formats; 300 to 5,500 attendees; Conferences, Tradeshows, and Conventions.Selected Achievements:• Initiated/negotiated a new client partnership agreement returning $85K in unplanned/unbudgeted profit.• Led Select USA event: highest attendance, highest profit show to date.

• 

  Industrial Asset Management Council (IAMC)

  • Peachtree Corners, GA 50% ; Remote 50%

  • Director of Events and Sponsorship Sales

    • Jun 2012 - Feb 2022
    • Peachtree Corners, GA 50% ; Remote 50%

    IAMC is a manufacturing and industrial real estate trade association for professionals in the U.S. and abroad; 600+ members; Managed by Conway Data, Inc.; $6M annual budget.Primary Role Responsibilities:• Plan, manage and execute bi-annual Forums, quarterly board meetings and multiple chapter meetings annually. • Secure $300K in sponsorships annually with a 10-year track record of over-delivering projected Forum profit.• New board-directed project research, presentations, decision making and implementations.Selected Achievements:• Led the team through COVID from planned in-person Forum to fully virtual platform; negotiated full retention of $150K sponsorship and no penalty cancelation fees.• Achieved Forum attendee rating average of 95% for staff and 94% for overall Forum.

• 

  PepsiCo - Frito Lay

  • Plymouth, Michigan

  • Region Vice President Executive Assistant

    • Sep 2009 - Jan 2012
    • Plymouth, Michigan

    Frito-Lay is a subsidiary of PepsiCo that manufactures, markets, and sells corn chips, potato chips, and other snack foods; $15.8B annual sales.Primary Role Responsibilities:• Plan and execute leadership retreats and 350-person regional sales kick-off meetings annually.• Create, summarize, and disseminate complex reports and presentations.• Manage RVP calendar, travel, and draft region-wide communications. • Supervise four regional and mentor/lead nine district administrative assistants.Selected Achievements:• Saved over $80K negotiating a region-wide POS purchase deal. • Negotiated two canceled regional sales meetings to zero cancelation penalties (savings of over $150K/each).

• 

  Cartus

  • HQ > Danbury, Connecticut (Home-based/remote position)

  • Language Trainer

    • Jul 2007 - Sep 2009
    • HQ > Danbury, Connecticut (Home-based/remote position)

    Cartus is a corporate relocation company specializing in employee relocation assistance; $970M annual sales.Primary Role Responsibilities:• Design custom ESL lesson plans for expat Ford Motor executives and their families.• Conduct student milestone evaluations and progress reports.

• 

  Michigan Credit Union League & Affiliates

  • Plymouth, MI

  • Education & Events Manager | Executive Director (for MCUF)

    • Oct 1998 - Feb 2005
    • Plymouth, MI

    MCUL is a state trade association providing training, political advocacy, and other services to 500+ member credit unions and their boards and staff. $70M annual budget. MCUF is a 501(c)(3) provides financial support for small asset-sized member credit unions specifically earmarked for education and annual convention attendance.Primary Role Responsibilities:1) Education & Events Manager for Michigan Credit Union League• Plan and execute Annual Convention & Exposition: 3,800 attendees; $2 M budget; project delegation for 50 staff; 135 booth tradeshow; 144-person golf outing, formal business meeting, silent auction for Children's Miracle Network collecting over $50K in donations annually; Staff liaison to AC&E committee. • Led and managed 40+ additional conferences annually to train CEO's, Mid-Management, Front Line and Boards of Directors; Virtual, Hybrid and In-person formats.• Spearhead new technologies for member training (videoconferences, webinars, and live, video-streamed internet programs).• Conduct “Train the Trainer” sessions; create communication templates for attendees and trainers.2) Executive Director for Michigan Credit Union Foundation • Executive board of directors’ business decisions• Manage fundraising and scholarships.Selected Achievements: • Spearheaded and implemented new technology (at that time) methods for member training including videoconferencing, webchats, webcasts, and live, video-streamed internet programs. • Analyzed and resolved a long-term attrition problem saving MCUL over $20K annually.

• 

  No Worries Home Management, Inc.

  • Plymouth, Michigan, United States

  • President/COO & Owner

    • Nov 1995 - Jun 1999
    • Plymouth, Michigan, United States

    NWHM provides household services including housecleaning, errands, cooking, pet care, organization projects, etc.; 10 employees; $.5M annual sales.Primary Role Responsibilities:• Plan business from concept to 6-figure sales within first year; attained 30% profit margin within 2 years.• Manage all business operations including:o CFO: Payroll, invoicing, tax filing & payments.o HR: Hire and train staff; administer employee benefits.o Sales: Attain and manage over 150 service customers (range from daily to monthly each).o Leadership: Support and mentor staff.

• 

  Hilton Hotels & Resorts

  • Novi, Michigan, United States

  • Director of Catering

    • Mar 1986 - Nov 1995
    • Novi, Michigan, United States

    Hilton Hotels & Resorts is a global brand of full-service hotels and resorts with properties in 94 countries and territories across six continents. • Interim Director of Catering, Newark, NJ: March 1994 – July 1994• Catering Manager: November 1991 – March 1994 • Convention Service Manager: October 1990 –November 1991 - Selected for Hilton's corporate management program.• Conference Coordinator: January 1990 – October 1990• Banquet Server: January 1988 – January 1990• Break Set-Up Coordinator: December 1986 – January 1988• Front Desk/PBX Operator: March 1986 – December 1986