- Lead and mentor a high-performing team of 8 senior meeting planners, providing guidance, support, and career development opportunities- Oversee the planning and execution of 13 events annually, ranging in size from 150 to 4,000 attendees, ensuring seamless delivery and high client satisfaction- Develop and implement team objectives, performance goals, and KPIs, driving alignment with organizational priorities and continuous improvement- Foster a collaborative and high-engagement team culture through regular one-on-ones, team-building initiatives, and skill development workshops- Manage and optimize multi-million-dollars in event budgets, ensuring financial accuracy, cost control, and resource efficiency - Negotiate contracts and secure favorable terms with vendors, venues, and suppliers - Conduct frequent budget reviews and financial tracking to ensure events are delivered within budget, identifying areas for cost savings and efficiencies- Set strategic priorities for venue sourcing and negotiate all vendor and venue contracts; ensuring venues meet the specific needs of each event and stakeholders - Develop and implement training programs to enhance team skills and empower team members with best practices - Champion process improvements across all event planning stages, streamlining workflows and reducing operational inefficiencies - Provide leadership and oversight during all phases of event execution, ensuring timely decision-making and smooth execution - Deliver weekly reports to executive leadership on budget performance, team productivity, cost control, and event outcomes

- Lead and manage a team of 4 Event Managers, overseeing large-scale events and the Exchange team- Conduct weekly reviews to track progress, ensuring departmental deadlines and targets are met- Monitor and review budgets, ensuring accuracy in financial reporting and adherence to targets- Evaluate, update, and provide training on corporate policies and procedures for Event Managers- Develop and present weekly reports on department productivity, cost control, and performance metrics- Facilitate weekly innovation sessions to drive continuous improvement within the team- Lead planning meetings to ensure effective cross-department communication and alignment- Optimize staffing allocation for maximum efficiency during event preparation and execution- Oversee all onsite task execution, ensuring smooth operations and timely delivery- Organize post-event debriefs to identify areas for improvement and enhance future event performance- Manage speaker relations, sponsorships, vendor coordination, and venue logistics for corporate trade shows and conferences

Managed speaker and sponsor relationships, ensuring effective communication and timely delivery of all required materials. Sourced, negotiated, and contracted third-party vendors, including AV, décor, and entertainment, to meet event needs. Collaborated with graphic designers to create signage and event materials. Negotiated hotel contracts and managed venue space to optimize flow and ensure cost efficiency, while minimizing attrition costs. Oversaw food and beverage contracts, balancing event standards with budget considerations. Forecasted and managed event budgets, ensuring profitability and accurate bill reconciliation for all event-related expenses.

Managed and executed an average of four 3-day conferences per month, ranging from 30 to 500 attendees, including budgeting, contract negotiation, and vendor management. Created and monitored event budgets, ensuring cost control and alignment with negotiated contracts. Negotiated venue, hotel, and third-party vendor contracts, including AV, signage, decor, and transportation. Served as the main liaison between speakers, sponsors, venues, and vendors, ensuring seamless communication and execution. Coordinated speaker arrangements and managed post-contract sponsorships to maximize value and profitability. Led cross-department teams before and during events, and oversaw the reconciliation of final bills and payments.

 Be knowledgeable in procedure manuals and brand standards in order to provide guidance and training for each front of house and back of house operational department, as well as each various type of food and beverage outlet so that they may meet and exceed Forbes and AAA standards. Ensure food and beverage outlets are maintaining cash and alcohol integrity by ensuring employees are properly following standard operating procedures.  Evaluate adherence to service standards for all aspects of lodging in hotel operations.  Provide expertise in various areas of the hospitality industry including but not limited to food and beverage management, organizational development, training, sales and marketing. Responsible for maintaining a strong client relationship and act as a liaison with all clients. Be available to expertly answer questions regarding their hotel and restaurant operations, training, country clubs, marketing, human resources and casino.  Create and provide quality assurance reports for directors of hotel in order to promote better customer service and guest relations.  Submit quality assurance reports within a 24-hour turn around time.  Travel 23 days a month to client locations around the world and be available 24 hour, often working 1 am – 6 am as needed for client needs.

 Plan for 2013 annual conference; 600 attendees in a destination venue for non-profit organization. Including 3 days of break out sessions, a champagne reception and a ticketed awards banquet.  Assist with negotiations for venue contracts. Book event space, create meal plan and work coordinate with caterer to create the Banquet Event Order (BEO) for all 3 days and plan décor for all sessions, the closing luncheon, the awards banquet and the champagne reception.  Secured $6,000 in donations for a silent auction, and assisted in securing workshop presenters, 2 key note speakers, tote bag donations, and 30 exhibitors. Create event staff and volunteer schedule as well as 3-day event schedule.  Plan tutor training sessions, a leadership summit and 6 symposiums via both online webinars and face-to-face conferences throughout the state of Florida. Create request for proposals (RFPs) to find local and statewide venues. Create and maintain social media marketing plans for social media and blog site

Worked with the Florida Pharmacy Association to execute mass mailings for session announcements and RSVPs. Kept track of member records and input member data on a rolling basis.Assist with billing, handling inventory, and providing outstanding customer service.

 Send out RFPs and negotiate contracts for room blocks and meeting space. Work with over 10 other collegiate team meet coordinators to plan swim meets through out the season.  Coordinate home meets in partnership with the Orlando YMCA Aquatic center as well as all travel and logistics for our team of over 200 swimmers to attend swim meets through out the USA. Submit financial reports and travel reports as well as post event reports to the university to receive funding

Certified in: FloridaLifeguard, First Responder, CPR

 Assisted with event promotion and fundraising by participation in target market brainstorming, assisting with local business/prior partners advertising campaign and produced sponsorship packets to promote for events. Brought in over $100,000 in one 4-hour event.  Worked personally with the regional director in the recruiting and hiring process of next round of interns. Responsible for recruiting, informing, organizing and delegating jobs to over 100 volunteers per the 2 fundraising events

Coordinated with other local YMCAs to plan field trips and sports competitions as well as served as a guidance councilor to65 children of the 3 month long summer camp.

Worked 1500 hours as pharmacy technician and obtained license in 2010* Prepared various reports such as: end of the day reports, sales reports from RX system and insurance billings via Quickbooks,Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and pharmaceutical RX inputs* Prepared extensive mailings and special promotions. Wrote/designed print and outdoor advertising for 3 years.

Assist waitstaff with serving and table turnover. Close down at end of night and help open at beginning of day. Clear tables and keep up with refreshments and bread to every table. Help bar with anything they needed.