Barb Raymond Email & Phone Number

Plan and implement company events and organizational meetings. Provide volunteer options for our people to connect in the community and identify ways to engage in support of the company's values.

Plan and implement events and marketing strategies to generate new leads for commitments for the new community. Ensuring the image communicated and showcased to the public supports and reinforces the community's positioning and branding strategy.

Fort Wayne, Indiana Area

As an Event Coordinator at Ash Brokerage I make business meetings a success. I am responsible for organizing and managing a wide range of events including conferences, seminars, annual general meetings, briefings, employee training and customer social events. The scope of my position has widened to include virtual events too. Other key tasks include: - Managed beginning to end solutions for all aspects of meetings - Developed a strategic plan and logistical task list in order to meet necessary deadlines - Determined site selections, negotiated rates and concessions for contract purposes - Produced a budget and managed to outlined amounts between the range of $10,000-$300,000 - Coordinated décor, food and beverage selection based off event needs - Determined and requested necessary audio/visual equipment - Effectively presented meeting logistics to various individuals prior to event - Lead bi-weekly executive meetings to plan and drive business initiatives - Administered flow of event, on-site - Recommended and coordinated keynote and motivational speakers - Coordinated and lead post-meeting debriefs and oversee follow-up initiatives - Built solid relationships with vendors and key individuals - Experience with Cvent as registration software for event management

During this time, I held various management positions, overseeing call center functions for our inbound and outbound sales desk and planned our local educational events which brought in clients from all over the US. From 2006-2013, my primary role expanded to planning high profile producer incentive events at local, domestic and international locations. Specific tasks that coincide with these events include the following: - Managed beginning to end solutions for all aspects of meetings - Developed a line item budget for each event between the range of $30,000-$2,000,000 - Created a logistical task list and timeline in order to meet necessary deadlines - Selected sites and coordinated planning visits for local, domestic and international events - Negotiated venue and rates at meeting destinations for contract purposes - Determined selection of activities for daily participation of meeting attendees - Oversaw the design work of marketing pieces used for meetings and events - Organized booth set-up and evening functions for national trade shows - Coordinated and developed business meetings, agendas and appropriate keynote speakers - Recommended and selected awards for top BGAs and financial advisors - Managed registration desk onsite for a period of 3-7 days, based on length of meeting - Developed strong rapport and relationships with local vendors, hoteliers and industry experts - Created exceptional event experiences for attendees - Conducted meetings, briefings, and post program debriefs