Lauren Schaal, Cmp Email & Phone Number

As the self-proclaimed "Tech Queen," I mostly handle programs for several of ITA Group's technology clients. I work on user conferences and internal SKOs between 1000 and 2500 and run teams of 30+ on-site. In my down time (LOL), I work on incentive programs for the tech, automotive and security industries. I love a good challenge and truly enjoy working across departments at ITA, including with our registration, sponsorship and creative teams.

Detroit Metropolitan Area

As the Chapter Administrator for the Detroit ISACA Chapter, I build and run an average of 12 – 15 Cvent registration websites per year for chapter meetings & events. I manage all onsite logistics for in person chapter meetings and run virtual chapter meetings via Zoom. I oversee all chapter administration including awarding CPEs, updating the chapter manual and answering emails. I work closely with the board to handle various tasks including reporting and sending surveys.

After two years and one pandemic later, I've been promoted. I'm still working with the same Fortune 500 client to plan programs ranging in size from 10 - 1000. I manage site research, budget development, contract negotiation, group travel, dinking, entertainment, recreation, AV and final billing for 50+ in-person meetings per year and also coordinate third party vendors including promotional items, production and F&B merchants for 15+ virtual meetings per year.

Greater Detroit Area

I am a meeting planner on a client-based account for a Fortune 100 company. I work with a team of three other planners, two sourcing managers and one web builder to plan virtual, hybrid and in-person meetings, including trainings, national sales meetings, conferences and other corporate events around North America. I also create and update Cvent Flex websites and CrowdCompass mobile apps for my clients.

Greater Detroit Area

After planning over 70 meetings in my first year as a Jr. Meeting Manager, I was once again promoted. I continued to plan and source my own meetings with components including group air, meeting space and transportation. However, I also managed more intricate meetings which included pieces like complex budgets, the need for external vendors (like A/V and DMCs) and higher-touch clients. I continued to build websites via Cvent and mobile applications via DoubleDutch/CrowdCompass and supported larger programs onsite both domestically and internationally as well. My workload typically hovered around 20 - 30 meetings at any one time.

Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan Area

After 15 months as meeting coordinator, I was promoted to Jr. Meeting Manager on the United Healthcare account. Typically, I planned and sourced smaller meetings (<50 people) around the United States with components including group air, meeting space and transportation. I also helped out with attendee management on larger programs via Cvent web registration and built and managed mobile applications for programs with a DoubleDutch platform. My expert negotiation skills saved my clients over $80,000 in just over one year.

Arlington Heights, Il

• Long Term Stay Coordinator – Worked with 375+ extended stay travelers in the last 15 months to manage accommodations in hotels and apartments globally; negotiated value adds such as additional rewards points, laundry credits and room upgrades with hotels• Worked with a Sr. Sourcing Manager to create a robust project plan to automate the Long Term Stay RFP & Meeting Request Form process and reporting in Cvent, while partnering with Amex Cvent support, CSAT team, HARC team on procedures and best practices• Engaged with Sr. Sourcing Manager and major hotel chains (Hilton, Hyatt, IHG and Marriott) to send out RFPs electronically and to receive commissionable rates and special benefits for the traveler• Trained new meeting coordinator on the Accenture account and act as day-to-day consultant on the Long Term Stay process; have been part of the core team selling/training additional clients such as Accenture, Zurich, etc. on the Long Term Stay process• Assisted 25 Meeting Managers with a variety of tasks including creation of rooming lists and air reports, website maintenance and running of reports, and attendee registration and liaisonACCOMPLISHMENTS: In the inaugural year of the Long Term Stay Program, from April 2015 - April 2016, $115,000+ commissions were realized; exceeding the initial estimate of $40,000-$50,000 or a 375% increase. These commissions are given back to the UHG client who is delighted at the influx in commission revenue. Additionally, 10,000+ room nights were sent through Cvent benefitting Supplier Relations by showing an increase in booked business to preferred chains. I was also the lead web registration coordinator and attendee liaison managing reports and rooming lists for 1200+ guests at HouseCalls 2016 in Arizona in February; trained the attendees on downloading and using the conference-specific mobile application

Mt. Prospect, Il

I primarily worked with two high-end travel internet marking companies - TravelClick and LET Group - to update and maintain the vanity websites for over 10 hotel properties around the country in order to drive traffic and increase sales via SEO and Event Marketing. I also monitored social media for several of hotels including Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, the Courtyard by Marriott Lafayette and the Staybridge Suites Milwaukee Airport South. Within three months of taking control of the Facebook and Twitter accounts for the Staybridge Suites Milwaukee Airport South I increased followers by 25%.

Arlington Heights, Il

After three years at Arlington International Racecourse as a wedding and events manager, I decided to try my hand at freelance wedding coordinating. In my three years at Arlington Park, I planned and coordinated over 15 weddings; eight of which were done in 2012. In July 2013, I coordinated a wedding reception for an old coworker at Arlington Park for 160 people.I'm looking to do anything from day of wedding coordination to more in-depth entire wedding and event planning.

Arlington Heights, Il

After one season at Arlington Park, I was promoted to a full time Event Manager, responsible for six revenue generating venues. I sold tickets and food and beverage packages, as well as created floor plans and coordinated vendor deliveries. During the off-season I planned wedding ceremonies, receptions, galas meetings and events for over 500 people at the off track betting location, Trackside Arlington. Highlights: In the summer of 2012, I planned and executed six wedding ceremonies and receptions; I worked with members of the Ryder Cup to coordinate traffic and parking in two parking lots at Arlington Park; I planned dinner and cocktails for the First Minister of Scotland and the VisitScotland tourism board.Each August, Arlington Park hosts their own version of the Kentucky Derby, the Arlington Million, and members of the Sales and Marketing staff are chosen to become Arlington Ambassadors to the horses from around the United States and around the World. * In 2010, I was the first seasonal employee in the history of Arlington Park chosen as an Ambassador. I worked with three barns to secure travel and lodging plans for horse owners and trainers to Arlington for the Million. * In 2011, I was again an Ambassador, but this time I worked with four barns to get their connections to the races. The biggest challenge was getting a family of five plus their trainer and his wife to Chicago from Ireland. * In 2012, I worked with four barns to get five horses plus owners and trainers to Chicago. Instead of dealing with one international horse, this time I had two; one from Germany and one from England. The horse from England, "I'm A Dreamer" won the 2012 Beverly D Stakes.

Arlington Heights, Il

As head of the Arlington Racing Club, I sold passes, planned parties and interacted with over 1500 members on a daily basis. After a month working as the ARC Coordinator, I was promoted to Box Seat Event Manager in the summer of 2010. I planned outings to the Box Seats for groups from 10 to over 1000. Highlight: Planning and executing an event for 1400 with food, beverage and seats after only working two months.

Chicago, Il

As the only Production Assistant to work on CelebTV.com’s Tribute to the Movies, which ran on Sunday, March 7, 2010, on ABC before the 2010 Academy Awards, I logged and transcribed interviews for two producers.Highlight: I booked a celebrity stylist and models for the “Movies and Fashion” segment in Miami, Florida, in less than one week from my base in Chicago, IL.

Chicago, Il

As one of three Production Assistants I logged footage, transcribed interviews and acquired information for projects including the 2009 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award, the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Awards Show, Geico Presents the Best of College Football 2009 and Arete Awards for Courage in Sports. All of these shows ran as hour-long specials on CBS nationally.

I created graphics that were used on the news shows at Noon, 5pm and 6 pm. I also learned how to use 3D-Live and Weather Page Builder.

East Lansing, Michigan

I hosted, interviewed and reported live from special events for SpartanTV, an online student-run news service. In the fall of 2008, I covered Barack Obama’s rally and Election Day activities, in East Lansing, Michigan.

I was Steve Dolinsky's field producer, where I was responsible for scheduling the shoots, logging tape and helping with the in-studio guests for the 11 am newscast.

As the sports intern primarily I scored baseball games and edited sports highlights with Clip Edit software. A few times during the summer I was sent to Wrigley Field and US Cellular Field to get interviews for the Chicago Cubs and White Sox post-game shows. In addition, I was sent to Soldier Field for Chicago Bears Family Day to get interviews and sound bites for the News at 9.