-Effectively manage nine direct reports, providing training and skill development-Recruit, interview, hire and train new staff-Monitor each team members workload and performance to ensure deliverables are being met, compliance is adhered to and workload is manageable-Implement procedures and monitor negotiated savings on total congress and ancillary meeting spend to ensure client expectation of savings/cost avoidance is being met-Develop best practices, benchmarking, implementations and training to assist in challenging and developing staff-Implementation of BCD Meetings & Events standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the development and implementation of customer specific SOPs-Liaise with client regularly to monitor progress of direct reports and areas for opportunity-Attend leadership meetings to remain current on process and policy

-Assisted with program based projects, development of new hire training and tools, function as an SME in various convention/congress processes including but limited to delegate management, registration and housing-Planned and managed high-level and complex congresses with up to 300 attendees-Responsible for financial management of congresses including but not limited to forecasting, budgeting, reconciliation, tracking and approving expenditures and preparation and submission of audit files

-Solely plan and execute international and domestic congresses according to the client guidelines, procedures and budgetary constraints -Responsible for financial management of congresses including but not limited to forecasting, budgeting, reconciliation, tracking and approving expenditures and preparation and submission of audit files -Negotiate and secure meeting space, select food and beverage and coordinate audio visual requirements with the convention hotel -Exercise sound decision-making and problem-solving skills in the negotiation of contracts and the ongoing monitoring of contract activities while addressing client needs, objectives and overall cost efficiencies-Adhere to corporate compliance when inviting and arranging all travel and program logistics on behalf of colleagues, health care professionals (HCPs) and vendors

-Created and maintained registration websites in order to capture essential participant information-Managed room blocks to ensure registration did not exceed availability. Worked with Account Manager to determine any additional rooms needed-Handled day to day client inquiries

-Integral member of pre-opening/opening property team -Fostered relationships with meeting planners, corporate contacts, as well as contacts within the local social markets in order to meet or exceed revenue goals-Maintained existing catering accounts as well as actively solicit new business-Solicited new and existing accounts to meet and exceed revenue goals through telephone solicitation, outside sales calls, site inspections and written communication-Created and modifed e-menus to align with current food and beverage trends

-Maintained strong client relations and ensured that convention specifications were communicated and executed for a successful meeting experience for the meeting planner and attendees-Reviewed sales contracts as well as other information including room blocks, cut-off dates, special concessions and attrition clauses -Monitored and enforced program deadline dates and worked with clients to release meeting space not needed to maximize hotel revenues-Produced and distributed group resumes and communicated any changes and updated information to hotel departments-Circulated Banquet Event Orders for group and affiliates -Facilitated pre and post event meetings with on site clients

-Sent client intro and thank you letters, awarded Starwood Preferred Planner points for events, and assured all group VIPs were properly entered into Star Guest-Qualified wedding leads, quoted rates, processed contracts, and monitored group pickup in Galaxy (Hotel PMS)-Constructed and maintained Star Groups. -Gave site inspections of guest rooms and function space to prospective clients and future group contacts-Ensured proper billing forms were received by Accounting in the turnover process so that all transactions were documented

-Distributed leads to appropriate Managers through Team Hot, Star Cite, and E-Sales-Created PowerPoint presentations to be displayed at Sales Calls-Ran essential reports through Delphi for Weekly Group Sales Meeting and acted as Note Taker-Monitored group rooms through Galaxy Hotel System-Prepared group contracts - from conception to execution

-Assisted in the creation of entertainment for major corporate events-Kept constant client contact and organized contracts with affiliated industry entertainers