I transitioned into my role from the event services department to focus on the front end of the event process - booking the Oregon Convention Center to create economic impact to our region and unparalleled guest experiences.I love working with clients to contract their important business at our beautiful LEED Platinum venue. Seeing an event come alive with education and networking opportunities is a rewarding mission. In this role, I qualify and book business with new and existing clients, cultivate accounts to grow revenues, negotiate contracts, respond to city-wide leads, set up one-on-one appointments at key industry trade shows, attend client networking functions to build rapport, participate in industry association functions and work collaboratively with other meeting industry partners. To ensure that each client’s needs are met as precisely as possible, I design customized proposals responding to RFPs, conduct site tours, and negotiate contracts. The goal is to ensure success for all stakeholders.Because I have comprehensive knowledge of what clients’ needs are as well as what the Oregon Convention Center offers, I am able to take care of unanticipated requirements and offer solutions for a win-win result. Top Contributions:++++++++++++++* Solved group’s space need which had greatly exceeded original contract by creating solution that capitalized on remaining facility meeting space to include using non-traditional space for breakouts which enabled client to provide concurrent sessions and not shut down registration, and still stayed within budget parameters. * Tapped into non-traditional on-site outdoor space to create memorable event for attendees that included food trucks, live music, and sidewalk chalk artist to create uniquely Portland experience.

I was recruited back to the Oregon Convention Center (after leaving on great terms to be a stay-at-home Mom) in recognition for my previous reputation for providing exceptional service to clients.What I really enjoyed in this position was the fact that I worked with EVERY department in the building. When I transitioned from this job to the Sales Manager position, I had already developed strong relationships with each employee in the building and knew what each teammate's role was. This proved extremely valuable when faced with event issues. If I didn’t know how to fix something, I knew someone who could!In this role, I met with clients after their conventions or events were contracted. I helped determine event needs and provided a vast amount of information for planning purposes.Being on the show floor with clients and experiencing each of their events helped me understand the unique needs of each. The environment was stimulating and I was eager to share and implement recommendations for improvement.Top Contributions:++++++++++++++* Organized room turns in record time to accommodate additional events, which drove up event revenues.* Intervened when client had considerable scope creep that exceeded contract terms; enforced policies and procedures to keep meetings / events viable. * Acted as key point person onsite for any security / medical / emergency situations to provide safety to attendees and participants.

During my time in this role prior to departing to be a stay-at-home Mom for a few years, I mentored a team of Event Managers and supervised and coordinated the activities of several full-time and dozens of part-time staff involved in providing liaison services for hundreds of facility events annually. I coordinated events with licensees, promoters, local agencies and other OCC department staff. Additionally, I prepared event documents, floor plans, event settlements and performance evaluations.By working closely with the OCC Director of Sales, Sales Managers and Travel Portland staff, my team and I sold the facility by conducting site tours, Fams and planning meetings to secure business. I also provided creative ideas and room set opportunities to Sales Managers as needed for city-wide proposals, while ensuring compliance with facility policies, procedures and codes.As the Director of Event Services the Security/Public Safety department reported to me and together we implemented emergency procedures and managed the evacuation process if needed. Additionally, I hired, trained, motivated and evaluated 13 full-time and 100+ part-time event staff. I implemented goals and managed performance plans.