Melissa Hicks Email & Phone Number

Greater Indianapolis

 Drive revenue, membership, and event attendance by creating and implementing comprehensive marketing strategies. Identify and pursue business development opportunities for non-profits; reimagine client programs and events to ensure ongoing relevance.  Lead creative team and content development to raise awareness, deliver value and engage audiences across digital media, events, print materials, public relations and advertising. Cultivate relationships with board of directors, members, sponsors, volunteers and media.  Manage marketing and business analytics to drive performance; create reports and PowerPoint decks; present to board of directors.  Write compelling promotional copy, articles, press releases, and speeches.

Valparaiso, Indiana, United States

Create and implement marketing and communications strategy, spearhead branding across three product/service lines, develop content across multiple platforms to build awareness and drive sales. Responsible for trade show booth and attendee engagement, analytics, social media, monthly newsletter, website, brochures, digital marketing and advertisement campaigns in US and South America.

Naperville, Illinois, United States

-Managed the rebranding, including a new name, of the 25 -year-old association. -Develop content for online resources, webinars and conference sessions to engage members and provide value. -Serve as creative director and brand manager for all programs and resources. -Led effort to reimagine the sponsorship program and market it which led to a 214% increase in revenue over 3 years.-Developed a COVID webinar series and online portal to provide human resources audience with timely information; pivoted conference to virtual, doubled attendance and elevated attendee engagement through gamification, networking, daily emails and social media.-Created a Workplace Wellness campaign featuring webinars, online resources and wellbeing breaks.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

 Responsible for developing the annual theme, branding and marketing strategy for the trade association's Annual Summit in Washington, D.C. over a 16-year period. Grew attendance 365% over five years and maintained it during extensive industry consolidation. Worked with event leadership to significantly expand exhibit and sponsorship opportunities and revenue. Served as the creative director for print and digital materials, website, event signage, stage design, app graphics and more. Developed online portal of critical COVID resources and daily newsbrief to keep members on top of rapidly developing news. Developed content, design and layout of annual report.

Exton, Pa

 Orchestrated all aspects of marketing for events, membership, certifications, and standards.  Created campaign yielding 500 new members and record-high 15,000 members. Developed strategic partnerships to increase member benefits, initiate international outreach, reduce expenses, and elevate the visibility of the Society.  Launched a chapter leadership conference and doubled attendance in three years. Secured grant and created award-winning diversity initiative, Operación Español. Enhanced the member experience via targeted communications, rebranding, website redesign, intensified public relations, and staff restructuring.  Motivated, managed and developed marketing, customer service, and IT professionals.

Exceeded seminar and convention attendance goals through comprehensive marketing.Integrated marketing of programs resulting in a 200% increase in awareness.Overhauled corporate membership program yielding new revenue stream.

Cincinnati, Ohio Area

Achieved 12-month hiring goal in eight months recruiting 100% commission positions through direct mail, campus recruiting, job fairs, cold calling and networking. Developed recruiting and new hire materials endorsed by headquarters. Earned NASD Series 6 and Ohio Life & Health licenses

Managed payroll, staffing, human resources and budgets of an $11 million operationAchieved #1 store ranking in customer service, named Region's Outstanding Manager for sales results

Bachelor'S Of Science, Business

Activities and Societies: Created campus-wide initiative for American Red Cross during Operation Desert Storm. Member of Beta Gamma Sigma.

Executive Leadership Program, Enhancing Executive Influence: Communicating Persuasively Inside & Outside The Organization

Education record