Consultative Subject Matter Expert for Strategic Meetings Management programming. • Introduce SMM concepts (meeting policy creation, technology implementation, strategic supplier sourcing, standardized contracts, etc.) to improve meeting & event processes and associated cost savings.• Establish client baseline of current practices & spend• Develop strategic roadmaps for SMM implementation • Engage key stakeholders in the application of Lean principles and processes

Responsible for operations management, process improvement and profitability of 100+ events, ranging from small to complex events (internal/external).• Launched Strategic Meetings Management Program to improve meeting processes and achieve cost savings.• Saved $200+k (annually) by developing best practices and improving negotiation processes for 100+ events• Pioneered establishment of company-wide meeting technology to capture meeting registration, online attendee registration which created additional capabilities for budgeting/reporting.• Administrator and primary liaison for event technology. Customized site as appropriate.• Collaborated with major hotel brands to establish global partnerships and discounts. • Negotiated directly with hotel, ground transportation and car rental suppliers, leveraging volume and spend to achieve cost savings and/or additional amenities. • Provided creative solutions relating to daily issues affecting operations, service and cost-reduction programs.• Provided mediation services for event and travel related opportunities.

Responsible for maximizing revenue and profitability for key fundraising events while creating an events platform that attracts and retains strong attendance and funding base. Managed events from concept to event launch, including financial planning, donations, committee support and vendor sourcing. • Increased agency revenues and gained a new demographic in charitable giving by developing a new fundraising ideas. • Reduced average cost of events by 9%, from 41% of revenue to 32%. The four major fundraising events raised $325k net revenues.• Developed best practices and post-mortem procedures to reduce time and money and optimize resources, including committee engagement, volunteer/ staff coordination, sponsorship, and silent/live auction donations. • Overachieved Golf Classic fundraising by 18% by establishing committee engagement processes to maintain focus and track results.• Developed inventory control processes to manage an ongoing, proactive donation process.• Increased goods donations by 26% and reduced last minute, hard-to-plan giving by developing proactive donor processes. • Reduced costs and increased event consistency and quality by developing strategic vendor relationships. • Built a reliable and consistent volunteer base through increased agency engagement and recognition programs. • Lowered agency costs and exposure by implementing process improvements such as viral marketing campaigns, web-based registration, online auctions, and web-based post-event surveys.

• Managed critical task system consisting of legal issues, patent/trademark reviews, contract licensing and merger/acquisition details.• Mitigated potential litigation by collaborating with leadership team on consumer issues.

• Developed and managed the entire scope of events, from event concept to execution. Responsible for regional, national and international event planning. • Collaborated directly with executives and internal clients to execute vision of sales meetings/incentive trips/ events from start to finish, from providing theme/location proposals to budgets through post event follow up for attendee levels typically VP and higher.• Developed and implemented processes for prioritizing and managing simultaneous events and logistics (50+ events at one time) to execute on-time and on budget.• Improved event impact with use of non-traditional venues and addition of innovative elements to traditional corporate programming. • Initiated and developed ongoing strategic relationships with vendors (hotels, meeting venues, restaurants, transportation companies, AV/production groups, premium speakers, sporting venues, DMC’s, etc.), arranging all aspects of programs including contract review & negotiation, menu selection, rooming lists, billing, etc.• Consistently met budget requirements, with budgets up to $1.5M and 500+ attendees per event.

Set and executed the sales strategy for client acquisition & sales growth for 27 Southern CA Marriott branded hotels.• Developed new contacts to increase sales and support future transactions.• Coordinated with revenue management team to simultaneously ensure profitability and client satisfaction.• Increased client satisfaction and sales execution by developing critical sales management and information processes to seamlessly transition to event team.• Responsible for interviewing, training and mentoring new sales team members.

Coordinated all aspects of conferences, meetings and events (pre-planning, onsite execution & post event wrap up).• Managed 100+ corporate and social events per quarter, ranging from 5-500 people.• Communicated with internal staff and client vendors regarding program needs and client expectations.• Generated additional revenue with clients by up-selling enhancements to augment event.