Frances Rodriguez, Cmp Email & Phone Number

Greater Atlanta Area

Conference Director (2008 – Present)Directs conference operations and strategic programs on behalf of a premiere affordable housing and energy efficiency consulting firm. Evaluates existing proprietary systems to identify cost saving opportunities and proposes the outsourcing of supporting functions including social media marketing and call center management as well as selecting third-party event management systems. Assesses the effectiveness of outsourced solutions for quality, performance, and ROI. Creates the annual budget for events utilizing historical data, tracks spending, reconciles financials, and submits invoices for payment. • Increased attendance and the success of future events by expanding the use of external suppliers and leveraging attendee surveys to optimize marketing and program execution

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Collaborated in business development by researching and submitting cost estimates of event suppliers and facilities for inclusion in proposals. Concurrently delivered over 10 value-driven events including trade show conventions, and related deliverables for the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and for the US Department of Labor (DOL) as well as the company’s annual conference. Managed a staff of up to 10 employees. Maintained relationship with Convention and Visitors Bureaus and third party-suppliers. • Increased reliability of cost estimates which improved management reports • Created a formal travel department by establishing a standard protocol and training staff to prioritize customer service, to problem solve, and to leverage web-based travel search engines • Researched existing web-based registration systems and collaborated with the IT programmer to develop a system using the best and essential features of each to reduce manual efforts and give HUD and DOL online visibility into current registration and budget statuses • Earned CMP designation• Implemented and trained staff on the relocation travel portion of a Hurricane Katrina response team with indirect management of up to 20 call center staff • Proposed and implemented the outsourcing of material duplication which reduced cost and improved resource utilization

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Served as the project and meeting manager of over 10 events a year for HUD and for DOL, as well as for the company’s annual conference. Trained and directed the work of five travel coordinators and meeting support staff. Researched various destinations and recommended a minimum of three options with cost estimates based upon budget considerations including per diem rates. Once the option selection was made, conducted site visits and negotiated contracts with vendor partners. Oversaw event registrations and travel reservations for governmental and company support staff. Ensured pre-conference shipment of deliverables. Provided oversight of third-party services responsible for the coordination of sponsors and exhibiters at the annual conference. Managed and made decisions for all on-site logistics. Conducted post-conference evaluations and budget analysis. • Launched the first internal event department including the establishment and communication of processes and procedures• Increased attendance by researching, learning, and then appealing to the diverse cultures involved with housing initiatives• Implemented the use of meeting management workbooks to document the event framework including client goals and objectives, expectations, requirements, essential meeting tasks, and timelines • Initiated and landed the five-year contract with the Department of Labor • Saved research time and improved quality of options by leveraging the recommendations of Convention and Visitors Bureau

Tulsa, Oklahoma Area

Technical Sergeant and Non-Commission Officer in charge of base photography