Kit Hardy Email & Phone Number

Dallas Arts District

Assisted Director of Events in planning and managing 2013 Dallas Symphony AT&T Gala - symphony's largest fundraiser. Contract position.

Handle all special events and fund raising. Golf tournaments, galas, and other events as created. Grant writing, press releases, event design and direction

Assisting Design & Construction Department in re-facing of exterior signage for corporate and franchise properties. Set up processes and procedures for franchise sign face replacements including follow up with Franchisees and Franchise Service Directors; ensure brand integrity; follow up with installers to retrieve proper dimensions and photos; development of order form; tracking of orders and shipments; development of letters to franchisees and installers; notification of upcoming shipments, timeline and procedures; invoice reconciliation and payment; answering miscellaneous questions from Franchisees and their installers. Compile a variety of reports and spreadsheets; work with vendors on a regular basis; code and pay all invoices once approved; maintain budget tracking spreadsheet for accounting and internal use.

Worked for a variety of companies performing administrative and human resources tasks; small event planning; project management; and budget and cost tracking.

Supervised nine Managers; indirect supervision of 21 support staff; and managed day-to-day operations of travel and destination event services. Restructured staff/reporting systems; assigned events. Recruited, staffed, oversaw training of new staff members. Supervised/assisted Marketing Manager in streamlining/updating marketing goals, objectives and materials. Reviewed regular financial and pacing reports; including forecasting, analysis of events and ROI. Enhanced customer service with new policies and additional specialized staff. Brought in new clients, new ways of enhancing business model; increased revenue. Drafted proposals to potential clients; responded to RFP’s, negotiated/drafted contracts. Led search for, hired and trained Travel Manager to oversee all travel agents. Worked as leader and team member for coordination of all destination management/operations for alumni traveling to collegiate bowl games, Final Four, Maui Invitational and other high profile events.

Responsible for all aspects of the got milk? National 3v3 Soccer Shootout Tour; supervised event managers/support staff; redesigned logo and equipment; scheduled promotional activities. Restructured Tour, with new cities and media partners. Recruited, staffed, supervised, trained 35-member staff. Enhanced customer service. Updated the “look” of the Tour. Managed $10 million annual budget, provided monthly financial reports with forecasting/analysis of local/national Tour budgets. Primary liaison between and negotiated partnerships with Disney, men's/women's pro soccer leagues, United States Soccer Federation (US Soccer) and US Youth Soccer. Worked with Senior VP of Sales to secure sponsorships. Ensured delivery of all contractual obligations to sponsors/partners. Successfully planned and managed 1,000-team National Championship at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. Reached new, untapped market within the soccer community, increased number of new participants in Tour. Came in under budget.

Responsible for designing and supervising all aspects of grassroots marketing and promotion of the first women’s professional soccer league to the United States grassroots soccer, civic and recreational community. Instrumental in start-up of new women’s professional soccer league. Designed initial ticket sales plans and pricing guidelines for teams. Assisted Team GMs with locating/training team grassroots marketing managers. Wrote volunteer policy manual. Led ticket sales effort and assisted in operations/event management of WUSA Inaugural Game. Implemented successful plan that increased ticket sales for Inaugural Game in Washington, DC from 5,000 to 34,098; accomplished in two weeks. Monitored team grassroots marketing and ticket sales efforts via weekly conference calls, and periodic visits to Team offices. Facilitated sharing of ideas and proven marketing strategies between teams. Established long-term, successful partnerships between the league and each of its teams with US Youth Soccer, American Youth Soccer Organization, Girl Scouts of America, America Scores, Inc., National Girls and Women in Sports, Joy of Sports and Sporting Geography. Acted as liaison between teams and league office. Traveled extensively prior to and throughout the season to assist teams with ticket sales, promotions, increasing visibility and community outreach through grassroots marketing techniques. Assisted league in exceeding regular season ticket sales goals for the first year. Represented league at dozens of national soccer and non-soccer conventions, meetings and special events.

Was member of the Dallas Olympic Bid Committee for the 2012 Summer Olympics. Responsible for recruiting, training and assigning volunteers for Olympic Triathlon and Wrestling Trials held in Dallas. Coordinated interview schedules, process and selection of volunteers. Coordinated placement of volunteers. Coordinated VIP activities and gifts, hotel arrangements for Olympic Wrestling Trials.

Served as Director of Partnership Marketing for the USOC Dreams of Glory Tour. Responsible for design and implementation of grassroots marketing campaign. Compiled and maintained databases of variety of youth sports and non-sports organizations. Researched partnership groups for Public Relations campaign. Assisted President of CAMI in all activities related to the Tour.

Responsible for all aspects of national grassroots marketing and promotion of the World Cup to the United States soccer, civic and recreational communities. Managed all aspects of grassroots marketing and promotions prior to and during the World Cup. Wrote and developed the grassroots marketing plan. Developed, implemented and oversaw a National Coalition of volunteers. Implemented and coordinated 300+ grassroots promotions, programs and special events. Developed and implemented pre-sale ticket package promotion for soccer community. Negotiated partnerships with the Girl Scouts of America, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, U.S. HHS Girl Power program, America Scores, Inc. and National Association for Girls & Women in Sports. Wrote manual to track data and expand programs. Served as LOC Event Marketing Director for five doubleheaders during World Cup games. Coordinated appearances and special events during week of Finals in Los Angeles. Successfully reached over three million youth soccer players and their families, spectators and fans through the national grassroots outreach, which realized a total-event attendance of 650,000.

Responsible for overseeing operations of National Office of non-profit youth sports organization with three million members. Reported to the National Board of Directors. Managed all operations for the association and implemented new programs. Coordinated and managed all aspects of US Youth Soccer’s annual National Championship, Workshop and Coaches Convention. Designed and implemented all special events, dinners and receptions. Built and managed a new Public Relations/Information Department. Prepared proposals and contracts, negotiated with potential sponsors and assured compliance with all existing sponsorship contracts. Wrote and designed a multifaceted information kit as well as promotional brochures and booklets; and two training and instructional manuals. Wrote script for, edited, coordinated and oversaw filming and production of promotional video. Gathered information for and edited quarterly newspaper. Built and serviced 20-year, $1 million M&M Mars/Snickers National Championship sponsorship. Increased annual revenue by an average of $150,000 to $250,000 by adding seven new sponsors. Increased attendance at conventions and championships by an average of 15-20% for four consecutive years. Supervised a staff of seven full time employees.