• Led planning for large-scale sales, leadership, and recognition events at Northwestern Mutual.• Managed site selection, contract negotiation, room block, and meeting space logistics.• Orchestrated entertaining social events and functional meeting rooms to ensure successful events.

Manage the planning and procurement of equipment and venue logistics for two annual events. Rotary International is the administrative headquarters for the 33,000 Rotary clubs comprising 1.2 million Rotarians in more than 200 countries around the world.• Rotary International Convention: City-wide convention held annually in May or June. 15,000-35,000 attendees, 120 staff from headquarters, 15-20 breakout rooms, 25+ staff and leadership offices, 250,000 square foot exhibit hall• Rotary International Assembly: Volunteer leadership training and train the trainer meeting held annually in January in San Diego, CA. 1,500 attendees, 100 staff from headquarters, 15 staff and leadership offices, 40 breakout rooms Determine best use of contracted meeting space and assign accordingly. Manage the allocation, set-up, operation and dismantle of all breakout session, office and ancillary meeting space. Primary liaison with venue event staff. Manage the overall flow of each event, conduct precon minute-by-minute walk-through of entire event and daily meetings with venue staff. Coordinate the collection of all meeting specifications, compile using Event Business Management Software (EBMS) and distribute service orders to vendors. Establish company-wide deadlines for timely submission of information required to complete orders and specs. Specs are typically delivered to venues and suppliers 45 days prior to space occupancy. Manage budgets, RFP process, contract negotiation, order placement, on-site equipment management and maintenance for audio visual, simultaneous interpretation, computer, office and communication (cell phone and walkie-talkie) equipment. Manage vendor relationships and direct the on-site schedules and activities of vendor staff. Hire, train and supervise one full-time employee.

Planned and executed all logistical aspects of Association’s annual meeting (7,000+ attendees), bi-annual international meeting (6,000+) and board/committee meetings (10-20). Consistently delivered projects on time and under budget. Coordinated and managed site selection process for domestic and international meetings utilizing relationships with convention bureaus, convention centers and hotels around the world. Negotiated and implemented contracts and services, developed meeting flow and specs, assigned all meeting space for sessions, offices and special events, oversaw coordination of registration, housing, exhibits and decorator functions, managed on-site duties of association, hotel, convention center and supplier staffs. Developed and executed special events by coordinating venue, catering, entertainment and transportation functions to achieve high-quality, high-profile, high-energy affairs. Managed design, compilation and production of registration and program materials. Instituted sponsorship program that generated $150,000 in corporate support for international meeting.

Coordinated and implemented the promotion of US housewares manufacturers abroad by taking member companies to overseas markets and bringing international buyers to Association members. Managed member participation in USA pavilions at housewares trade shows in Frankfurt, Germany, Dubai, UAE and Hong Kong. Instituted marketing initiatives to increase exhibitor presence. Recruited participants, communicated among exhibitors, show management and contractors. Oversaw all logistical aspects of exhibitor participation. Oversaw the successful operation of annual membership meeting, conference and trade show. On-site liaison with hotel staff, select speakers, sold attendance, recruited buyers and coordinated travel arrangements. Marketed the International Housewares Show to a global audience of housewares buyers via targeted media campaign, worldwide professional contacts and promotional booth space at international consumer goods shows.

Assist two managers of trade show sales, manager of trade show operations and director of meetings and trade show in the successful planning and execution of the International Housewares Show, the largest “housewares only” trade show in the world, comprising over 2,000 exhibitors and 60,000 visitors, held annually in Chicago, Illinois. Facilitated the exhibitor process from approval to show-site by determining exhibitor eligibility, expediting application process, assigning space, maintaining contact with exhibit managers, and supervising move-in to exhibition hall among show management, exhibitors, exhibitor appointed contractors and security officials. First point of contact for show management throughout entire process. On-site supervisor of temporary employees, meeting rooms, catering requirements, trade association staff requirements and show office staff.