Jill Ferguson, Cmm Email & Phone Number

Washington, Dc, Us

Mobilize budget to align with department goals and organization priorities. Optimize processes and technology for efficiency. Provide oversight and lead team of 7 in hotel / venue sourcing, registration, accommodations management, meeting preparation, equipment procurement, talent acquisition, and catering for all annual conferences for the nation’s largest real estate finance association.Business Strategy & Partnerships➢ Collaborate with C-suite leaders on special projects that result in optimization and enhanced customer engagement.➢ Leverage extensive network of national hotel, convention bureau, and internal sales representatives to optimize food and beverage management, décor, transportation logistics, registration optimization, marketing, and meeting space management.➢ Steer logistics for sourcing top sites across dozens of cities and negotiating contracts with top national hotel partners and convention centers.Process Optimization & Solution Architecture ➢ Design 10-month, cross-departmental production schedule for all annual conferences that is followed by 70+ people organization-wide.➢ Provide discovery, design and launch CRM system, including department implementation, used by entire organization and membership to facilitate 20,000+ registrations per event and manage accounting reports and analysis. ➢ Utilize agile and waterfall testing methods in pilot and pre-testing phase for launch of several software initiatives.➢ Institute housing process to verify registration against reservations by using API linking unique registrant identifier.

Washington, Dc, Us

Customer Experience & Engagement ➢ Identify interests and needs across a breadth of high-profile clientele spanning diverse global corporations, industries, and associations. ➢ Collaborate with planners to design events that demonstrate inclusion and creativity in cuisine, space layout, entertainment, and A/V details to exceed the customer vision.➢ Orchestrate website-responsive design resulting in dozens of updates monthly. Resource Management➢ Manage twenty events a year generating a net revenue of $20 million annually. ➢ Advocate for small business and “Buy America” acquisition priorities.➢ Supervise teams responsible for registration, housing, logistics during pandemic and remote/hybrid work.➢ Mentor internal staff as well as hotel/convention staff in best program practices, including telecommunications, space requirements, quality assurance and decision-making.Planning & Execution ➢ Maximize logistics for annual conventions, meetings, and conferences to increase customer learning and networking. ➢ Source and select top sites for events by vetting candidates based on meeting requirements.

Apodaca, Nuevo Leon, Mx

Built and led dedicated consulting team to optimize meetings for high-profile clientele spanning diverse industries. Steered all logistics for sourcing top sites and negotiating contracts with hotel partners. Maintained open communications with clients to maintain transparency on meeting operations, updates, and logistics.➢ Oversaw all aspects of business strategy and planning for entire organization as visionary and forward-thinking solution architect.➢ Facilitated online and onsite registration to minimize bottlenecks and strengthen credibility with clients.

Apodaca, Nuevo Leon, Mx

Managed site selection and full-service meeting planning for breadth of global corporate and association client base. Managed preliminary project activities, including lead generation, contract negotiations, and budget development in compliance with customer requirements.➢ Leveraged industry agility to refine existing activities in food and beverage management, décor, transportation logistics, session development, speaker acquisition, registration optimization, marketing, and meeting space management.➢ Lengthened company network by tapping into new relationships with key hotel, convention bureau, and internal sales representatives.➢ Introduced new in-house marketing program dedicated to designing campaigns, education series, and webinars for suppliers and clients.

Deftly navigated a host of cascading priorities by managing group room bookings, food / beverage sales, and event planning. Built collaborative partnerships with meeting planners to tailor design menus, room layouts, and A/V details to exceed the customer vision.➢ Solicited to oversee widespread integration of Meeting Destination Standards with all hotel departments due to strong organization and project management.➢ Mentored and trained hotel / convention services and sales staff in best client services practices, including telecommunications, space requirements, and quality assurance.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Us

Led 8 personnel in daily food operations pivotal to Executive Dining Room, Conference Center, and Campus Catering activities. Steered continuous improvement efforts to refine communications and customer feedback by analyzing and adapting existing programs. Received and scheduled catering orders based onsite requests.➢ Maintained operational integrity by managing high-impact business initiatives, including weekly sales reporting, invoicing, inventory analysis, and P&L auditing.➢ Paved the way for ongoing growth by developing catering services, catering guides, marketing programs, and specialty / daily menus.➢ Played an integral support to staff in planning special functions and customizing special event menus for a unique and defined guest experience.

Upheld rigorous operational workflow and daily support to President and sales force through proactive administrative leadership. Reinforce customer acquisition and retention by developing corporate presentations. Promptly prepared all travel arrangements and reimbursements in support of personnel and customer needs.

Chicago, Il, Us

Sourced new business from untapped markets to contribute to the Hyatt Regency Austin room night revenue goal. Researched and organized target client lists for solicitation and direct mail. Created and implemented direct mail program designed to familiarize the national sales force with Austin.➢ Created individualized proposals and unique site visits to make the hotel memorable for prospective clients. ➢ Negotiated contracts for room nights and catering minimums.➢ Designed standard operations procedure manual for sales assistant and oversaw their training. ➢ Continuously exceeded individual revenue quota, contributing to overall group revenue target.