Keith Backsen, Cdme Email & Phone Number

Washington Dc-Baltimore Area

ConferenceDirect is a global meetings solutions company. I provide customers with strategic advice for their conferences and meetings, so you can achieve your desired results while providing favorable terms allowing you to deliver measurable cost savings. I deliver value, save you time and money, while securing some of the most sought after conference venues all at no cost to you.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Senior Level Consulting in the areas of Strategic Partnerships, Event Sponsorship, Membership Retention and Recruitment, Strategic Planning, Business development and Account Development.

Omaha, Nebraska

Responsible for budget of $7.3 million, with 25 full-time staff and 72 volunteer positions. Direct, led, and oversaw the Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau (Visit Omaha) toward its mission of driving business and economic prosperity for the region. As a member of the Mayor’s cabinet responsibilities included managing internal and external relationships, advocacy, policy making, and strategy with elected boards including the Omaha City Council, Douglas County Board of Commissioners, and various city and county departments. Developed new alliances and fostered key business relationships with stakeholders and boards. Served as the organization’s official spokesperson with media, radio and television interviews and public speaking engagements. Directed key departments of sales & services, marketing and partner relations, human resources, financial and IT technology, and visitor center operations. Proven success in account retention including key accounts of Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder meeting ($30 million), U.S. Olympic Swim Trials ($76 million) and NCAA College Baseball World Series ($74 million) in economic impact/revenue to the local economy.Visit Omaha serves as the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for the City of Omaha and Douglas County. We work to promote and market Omaha metro area as a destination for convention, meeting and leisure travelers. These efforts translate into economic development for the entire community.

Spokane, Washington

Supervised a team of 13 staff members with a department budget of $1.9 million exceeding annual year-over-year team goals. Oversaw all sales initiatives including the development, approval, and implementation of annual sales and marketing plan. Managed and trained the convention sales and services team responsible for marketing the destination, area hotels, and meeting facilities. Served with others on organization’s executive committee charged with management of operations, development and implementation of policies and procedures. Primary liaison between Visit Spokane and Spokane Public Facilities District.Additional responsibilities included business analysis and assisting the President & CEO with operations and implementation of policies and procedures for the organization. Maintained close working relationship with area hotels, facilities and the 630 plus Visit Spokane business partners. Analyzed market trends and economic conditions to assist the sales team in marketing the destination to potential customers. Directed and train sales team in all aspects of selling and managing business for the destination. Reported monthly to the Visit Spokane Board and Facilities on behalf of the department.

Responsible for annual sales in excess of $70 million dollars. Promoted twice during my eight (8+) year tenure resulting in supervision and over site of five Regional sales offices in a nine-state region. Responsible for the management, hiring, performance reviews, and development of all sales and account managers in region. Learned to effectively manage budgets, expenses, sales forecasts, and reconciliation of monthly P&L statements. Cultivated and managed long-term client relationships while developing team members resulting in new revenue streams for the organization.

Chicago, Il

Supervised five sales offices in a nine state region, generating annual sales in excess of $70 million dollars. Responsibilities included management of the sales and account managers, created and managed department budget, tracked expenses, forecasted sales goals, and monthly revenue. Maintained long term client relationships and assisted team members in developing new sales opportunities.

Dallas, Tx

Managed all aspects of sales and marketing for the company's five major markets in Texas representing $20 million dollars in annual sales. This included managing sales and account managers, working with the local Convention and Visitors Bureaus, area hotels, and meeting planners. Built GES market share within local communities by creating successful plans and actions to grow the base business in a very competitive arena.

Portland, Or

Responsible for supervising a $4 million dollar operation and a staff of 17 individuals.

Warm Springs, Or

Directed the sales efforts of three staff members in the Portland sales office and one Convention Services Manager at the resort. Responsible for $1.3 million dollar Sales and Marketing budget and worked with local advertising agency to market the resort in Oregon and Washington.

Portland, Or

Responsibilities included lead generation, qualification and solicitation of specific convention markets through personal sales calls, telemarketing, direct mail and tradeshow involvement. Arranged and escorted clients on familiarization trips and site inspections of the city and local hotels. Met or exceeded annual goals of 270,000 lead room nights and 45,000 definite room nights per year.

Portland, Or

Directed the sales efforts of five Sales Managers focusing on a team booking goal of 62,500 room nights per year. Audit files, compile reports, problem solve and motivate team members. Develop and manage departmental budget and marketing plan.

Portland, Or

Was recruited out of college into the Hilton Professional Development Program and was trained at the Los Angeles, LAX Airport Hilton and Towers Hotel. Then placed full time as a Conference Center Manager at the LAX Airport Hotel and later transfered to the Portland Hilton as the Assistant Director of Sales.