As the Executive Marketing Director at Visit Madison, I lead comprehensive marketing initiatives to promote Madison as a premier tourism destination. With over 18 years of experience in high-level marketing across tourism and retail grocery industries, I excel in developing strategic plans and managing all aspects of marketing, advertising, and social media. With a passion for putting the visitor at the center of the marketing experience, I am dedicated to driving growth and visibility for Visit Madison through innovative marketing strategies and impactful community engagement.

Over ten years of experience in graphic design and creative content production within the grocery industry, specializing in ad, POS, and packaging design. My organizational skills and problem-solving abilities have been honed in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. I manage the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of POS materials distributed to stores, ensuring they align with brand standards.Key Responsibilities:- Rebranding Leadership: Played a pivotal role in the rebranding of Remke Markets, maintaining brand standards and strategies.- Budget Management: Oversaw a substantial marketing budget, managing creative agency and media buyer relationships.- Creative Oversight: Approved all artwork for new projects, packaging, and POS materials, ensuring consistency and quality.- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Worked with merchandisers and vendors to create new promotions and POS materials. Strategized with senior and mid-level management for departmental and company-wide improvements.- Event Planning: Highly involved in planning and executing company-wide events and programs, including chairing the annual charity golf outing, which raises funds for local charities.- Social Media Management: Directed the social media coordinator to enhance customer engagement and measure success.- Press Releases: Assisted in developing press releases in collaboration with the Director of Community Relations.- Advertising: Composed weekly television and radio creative copy to support promotional efforts.- Team Leadership: Managed two direct reports and reported directly to the President.Experience at Remke Markets, Inc. encompasses twenty years of overall retail grocery industry experience, with a strong foundation in marketing and graphic design.

Over nearly ten years, I rapidly advanced through various roles at Remke Markets, gaining comprehensive hands-on customer service experience from bagging and cashiering to stocking and working at the service desk. Promoted to the corporate office in January 2000, I coordinated accounts payable for ten locations and a warehouse. I was cross-trained in all areas of accounting, assisting in period and fiscal closings, general entries, deposits, and bank reconciliations. I documented new procedures for Accounts Payable on the converted software and researched interdepartmental queries, providing results to merchandisers, accounting, stores, and vendors.In February 2004, I transitioned to the I.T. department, where I maintained pricing integrity, including ad sales, temporary price reductions, and new merchandise. I also resolved pricing issues for merchandisers and stores. These roles laid a solid foundation for my future career as Director of Marketing, Advertising, and Social Media at Remke Markets.