Nicolette Thomas, Cmp, Pmp Email & Phone Number

Memphis, Tn, Us

My team of experts and I are in charge of designing and delivering various kinds of events, from seminars to signature events. I lead the team in creating and implementing the event strategy, with a focus on using data and creating measurable touchpoints that increase attendee engagement through events.I collaborate with teams in setting audience engagement key performance indicators for events, establishing benchmark KPIs to monitor organizational goals, and providing data to analysts to build projection models for event performance. As the Director, I have the honor of playing a crucial role in producing effective and successful events that match organizational goals and boost attendee engagement and satisfaction.The team has a strong focus on creating solutions by applying user centered design in the planning process. The team also integrates the principles of design in each aspect of the events, such as aesthetics, functionality and usability.

Responsible for managing high complexity projects while staying within identified scope and working with various cross functional teams to drive success. Accountable for executing the short and long term strategic vision of each project’s development and delivery by performing a variety of tasks including setting deadlines, determining project deliverables and communicating project status to stakeholders.• Served as lead project manager on St. Jude Evening of Hope Atlanta event in which over $500K in revenue was achieved by working with the sponsor to establish and stay within project scope while tracking each team members activities to ensure deadlines were obtained.• Reimagined the Enterprise Events contract tracking system by introducing a streamlined platform in which automated notifications to responsible parties were enacted. Updated platform provided an enhanced overall view of the status of all contracts utilized by Executive Office to confirm final decisions on enterprise event dates years in advance.• Led cross divisional team of over 40 members to develop consistent terminology to be utilized when referencing event elements which assisted with clarifying roles and responsibilities, determining workflows, as well as assessing technological needs and reporting and communication efforts across the organization.• Collaborated with Enterprise Event Team leadership on defining the strategic vision as well as defining and designing the future structure of team. Created various presentations based upon audience in which the direction of the team was communicated as well as how it would operate with the territories, market and areas within the Experiential model.• Created detailed step by step training manual for updated internal platform utilized by all members on the Event planning and Event Operations team. • Developed and designed beginner training course on Smartsheet platform and trained over 20 individuals representing over seven departments.

Greater Memphis Area

Responsible for managing strategic event resources to maximize donor engagement through every touchpoint. Accountable for creating the donor experience by bringing the St. Jude brand to life with planning and executing logistics related to events and tours at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Collaborate with internal planning host to develop strategies to increase brand awareness. • Worked directly with Strategic Partnerships department to execute vision by providing overall creative concepts and direction for top corporate partner visits including design of venue and activities for both patient families and corporate partners. Developed overall budget for events while maintaining control of expenses and negotiating with various vendors on best possible rates of service.• Successfully planned and executed training meeting for over 1300 employees while working directly with Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Marketing Officer on stated goals and objectives for the event in which providing a positive and motivating experience was achieved. • Led direction of the Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Walk Run festival on the campus of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in which there were over 8000 participants. Worked with various vendors, sponsors, donors and security teams to execute event successfully for participants.• Responsible for managing the Event Marketing intern program by outlining a learning plan and assigning specific tasks related specifically to stated career goals. Since leading the program, four former interns have been hired as full time employees in various departments throughout the organization.

Greater Memphis Area

Manage the planning and coordination of services necessary to produce successful events for the organization. Responsibilities include maintaining logistical control of each event, executing established event plans, monitoring the implementation of the plans, negotiating contracts and introducing contingency plans as necessary.• Directed the strategic planning of several high profile events including the Board dinners, Chief Executive Officer retirement celebration, Volunteer Awards Dinner and Tri Delta Leadership Weekend Celebration. • Planned and executed event for 2550 attendees, which was the largest seated dinner in Memphis, Tennessee and for the organization. Also, worked to increase attendance of event from 1800 people to a total of 2550 by developing a strategic plan with vendors and venue. • Worked with internal client to execute the inaugural International seminar for guests representing 12 countries. • Developed and designed a diverse collection of branded décor items that are reutilized for various events resulting in overall cost savings across internal divisions and departments.• Consistently provided cost saving for clients by negotiating contracts and published costs to fit within clients’ established budgets.

Greater Memphis Area

Consulted with attorneys about strategies for practice-specific events as well as define scope of goals, objectives and target audience while managing logistics including audio visual, review of post evaluation data, catering, signage, arrangement of marketing printed materials and applying for continuing education or accreditation from various affiliations/associations.• Increased the total number of attendees at seminars by 47% from 2010 to 2011 (2,256 attendees in 2010 to 3,311 attendees in 2011) by gathering data/results from various resources, including readability statistics from Firm newsletters and industry reports, and turning trendy topics into seminar presentations for various defined audiences• Utilized established benchmarks to better develop events and determine the progress or regression made by each legal practice area. • Collaborated with Information Technology group to integrate online registration process into all electronic invitations

Responsible for arranging various aspects of events including venue selection, catering and ensuring adequate onsite staff, while tracking expenditures and maintaining set budget for each event. Direct contact for outside organizations associated with event.• Established and managed onsite coordinators for events in 14 markets to help reduce travel costs that affected the Firm’s overall budget • Developed an event process which incorporated and defined responsibilities of various marketing personnel and functions as related to events. The event process also defined the steps to successfully execute an event from inception to completion.• Implemented use of evaluation forms at every event helping to increase cross-sell opportunities for attorneys as well as build contact database lists• Created and established benchmarks and key performance indicators for each practice group