Responsible for overall management, promotion and operation of the facility, including construction, purchasing, policy formulation, booking, marketing, finance, food and beverage, box office, advertising, security, production, maintenance and related operations.

My first priority as the Director of Sales & Marketing is to make sure that they entire Sales Team is booking events that maximize revenue, building utilization, and economic impact for the city of Collinsville. My other areas of responsbility include marketing, event planning and execution, website, social media, development of creative content and advertising, planning of sales and marketing budget, revenue forecasting, reporting, as well as new marketing related revenue generating opportunities for the convention center. I wear many hats and multi-task many projects at once. My entire professional career has been in the event planning industry. I enjoy the fast pace and the many opportunities to create meaningful connections with clients and vendors.

- Produced and managed all aspects of the Gateway Bridal Show resulting in a 100% increase in vendorsand an 80% increase in net profit.- Rolled out a second successful Gateway Bridal Show for the first time in 2010.- Secured sponsorships, set the budget, created all advertisements and promotional materials, prospectedvendors, created floor plan, scheduled staff, and oversaw all the logistical planning of the entire event.- Developed and executed the promotional plan that resulted on record breaking attendance in 2011.- Added value for show attendees by adding fun elements such as a Wedding Inspiration Show Room, aSignature Cocktail Lounge, a Cake Dive, Honeymoon Drawings, online contests, and more prizeopportunities.- Designed interactive ways for vendors and brides to connect pre-show and post-show.- Encouraged engagement on social media sites with promotional videos and opportunities to win prizes.- Analyzed performance vs. objectives and made changes accordingly.- Cultivated strong relationships with repeat vendors.

- Implemented integrated marketing plan and sales strategies that met sales revenue goals and increasedbusiness.- Analyzed results of marketing initiatives and made recommendations for improvements.- Developed a variety of online marketing campaigns, including SEO/natural search, paid search, onlinedisplay, email, that raised awareness and generated leads.- Managed for the Gateway Center web site through Joomla content management system andDreamWeaver- Monitored company reputation and managed all social media sites.- Managed client contact information using a CRM program ACT and created email marketing campaignsto sell Gateway Center to prospective clients and to cross sell to current clients.- Increased client base by implementing interactive and creative online contests.- Prospected new clients and fostered relationships with current clients- Created concepts and filmed videos that promoted our facility and our events.- Forecasted and managed advertising budget.- Produced in-house graphic design work for advertisements, direct mail, and email marketing campaignsthat promoted brand awareness and increased sales.- Negotiated fees and produced Lease Agreements for 54% (average) of the business booked.- Executed presentations to various audiences.

- Produced and managed all aspects of the Gateway Bridal Show resulting in a 100% increase in vendors and an 80% increase in net profit.- Rolled out a second successful Gateway Bridal Show for the first time in 2010. - Secured sponsorships, set the budget, created all advertisements and promotional materials, prospected vendors, created floor plan, scheduled staff, and oversaw all the logistical planning of the entire event. - Developed and executed the promotional plan that resulted on record breaking attendance in 2011. - Added value for show attendees by adding fun elements such as a Wedding Inspiration Show Room, a Signature Cocktail Lounge, a Cake Dive, Honeymoon Drawings, online contests, and more prize opportunities. - Designed interactive ways for vendors and brides to connect pre-show and post-show. - Encouraged engagement on social media sites with promotional videos and opportunities to win prizes. - Analyzed performance vs. objectives and made changes accordingly.- Cultivated strong relationships with repeat vendors.

- Implemented integrated marketing plan and sales strategies that met sales revenue goals and increased business.- Analyzed results of marketing initiatives and made recommendations for improvements. - Developed a variety of online marketing campaigns, including SEO/natural search, paid search, online display, email, that raised awareness and generated leads.- Managed for the Gateway Center web site through Joomla content management system and DreamWeaver- Monitored company reputation and managed all social media sites. - Managed client contact information using a CRM program ACT and created email marketing campaigns to sell Gateway Center to prospective clients and to cross sell to current clients. - Increased client base by implementing interactive and creative online contests.- Prospected new clients and fostered relationships with current clients- Created concepts and filmed videos that promoted our facility and our events. - Forecasted and managed advertising budget. - Produced in-house graphic design work for advertisements, direct mail, and email marketing campaigns that promoted brand awareness and increased sales. - Negotiated fees and produced Lease Agreements for 54% (average) of the business booked.- Executed presentations to various audiences.

- Successfully booked no less than 53% to no more than 87% of the total number of events. - Prospected new clients, developed proposals, negotiated fees and produced contracts which increased sales. - Coordinated meetings, banquets, wedding receptions, public shows, and trade shows from the initial planning phase to event completion. - Created event floor plans using CAD Auto Sketch software. - Conducted event meetings with staff and with clients. - Supervised crew and office staff to facilitate events.- Developed themes, organized details, and planned logistics for promotional events and tradeshows.

- Successfully booked no less than 53% to no more than 87% of the total number of events.- Prospected new clients, developed proposals, negotiated fees and produced contracts which increasedsales.- Coordinated meetings, banquets, wedding receptions, public shows, and trade shows from the initialplanning phase to event completion.- Created event floor plans using CAD Auto Sketch software.- Conducted event meetings with staff and with clients.- Supervised crew and office staff to facilitate events.- Developed themes, organized details, and planned logistics for promotional events and tradeshows.

- Responded to sales inquiries for banquets, weddings and meetings, met with prospective clients, and sent proposals that outlined facility fees and policies. - Generated Lease Agreements and followed-up with delinquent agreements and payments. - Coordinated and secured all requirements for events including room set-up, rental equipment, event timetable, and food and beverages.- Created event documents detailing events and drew floor plans using CAD software. - Managed facility crew and staff to facilitate events.- Problem solved on the spot when issues arose. - Implemented internship program, interviewed candidates, selected, and managed the interns. - Generated sales reports in order to analyze results and recommend strategies to generate additional business and increase revenue.- Provided excellent customer service to clients and the general public by responding quickly to questions and concerns.

- Responded to sales inquiries for banquets, weddings and meetings, met with prospective clients, andsent proposals that outlined facility fees and policies.- Generated Lease Agreements and followed-up with delinquent agreements and payments.- Coordinated and secured all requirements for events including room set-up, rental equipment, eventtimetable, and food and beverages.- Created event documents detailing events and drew floor plans using CAD software.- Managed facility crew and staff to facilitate events.- Problem solved on the spot when issues arose.- Implemented internship program, interviewed candidates, selected, and managed the interns.- Generated sales reports in order to analyze results and recommend strategies to generate additionalbusiness and increase revenue.- Provided excellent customer service to clients and the general public by responding quickly to questionsand concerns.

Gateway Center hosts the Let's Go Fishing Show annually in early January. Folks who love to fish come from Central Illinois, Southern Illinois and Missouri to enjoy the show. The LGF Show consistently attracts an enthusiastic audience due to its dedication solely to fishing and the quality of its exhibitors. Visitors to the show not only find a "fishing tackle super-store" but attend seminars and see exhibits of interest. Show attendees will find a wide variety of fishing tackle, rods and reels, and aluminum and fiberglass fishing boats. They will also find accessories such as trolling motors, depth finders and other fishing related products and services. Representatives from resorts and destinations will be there to help you plan a fishing trip to a nearby lake, Ozark retreat, charter fishing trip, or a Canadian adventure.The first Let's Go Fishing Show was held at Gateway Center in 1993. Gateway Center purchased the show from the previous owner in 2013. My role as Let's Go Fishing Show Producer is to manage every aspect of this event for Gateway Center. I manage the vendor sales, vendor relations, marketing, event coordination, budget management, logistics, advertising production and placement, promotion, social media, website, incentive programs, seminars, activities, and entertainment. It's a challenge, but I enjoy it! Guess what my new hobby is? That's right! FISHING!