Steven Thompson Ba, Vemm Email & Phone Number

Alexandria, Virginia, United States

Alexandria, Va

Results oriented business consultant who specialized in conceptualizing, coordinating and executing company programs or events and streamlining operations for maximum efficiency. Specific areas of expertise include business-to-business conferences, trade shows, association expositions, and high-level, complex meetings. Clients include: Hotel AKA AlexandriaI developed and implemented comprehensive guidelines for event operations, ensuring alignment with corporate standards. I provided essential operational support to the event, catering, and sales departments, enhancing efficiency by introducing task-oriented, measurable procedures and improving overall efficiency to gain tangible results.Marriott Operations Consultant Created and implemented guidelines for event operations that are in alignment with corporate standards. Provided high-level operations support to event, catering and sales departments. Recommended strategy to improve efficiency by creating individual, task orientated, and measurable procedures. Centennial Conferences Managed domestic conferences on-site while overseeing registration, food and beverage, AV, transportation, forecast event budgets, shipping, expositions & signage for the Superconductivity Conference.Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council – (Committee Member)Key contributions to define and develop an international standard for food and beverage management that will inform the future of the hospitality industry’s best practices. WestGroup ResearchResearched and presented a competitive analysis of the client’s market position within the social media landscape. Conducted introductory social media training and developed an initial action plan for executive staff to increase brand awareness and improve search engine optimization.

Louisville, Kentucky, United States

Overall responsibility for executing all property events at each location with a seamless turnover from sales to operations and back to sales while consistently delivering a high level of service. Ensures team(s) maximize revenue opportunities by up-selling and accurately forecasting (banquet/catering and group rooms) for all events for all properties. - Achieved 20% Increase in favorable guest satisfaction scores- 30% increase in associate opinion surveys. - Developed and implemented company-wide strategies across three branded properties - Delivered products and services that exceeded the customer's and company's needs and expectations

Rockville, Maryland

Director of Events and Conference Services at the University of Maryland, Shady Grove, USG.Implemented and built a strategic vision for the USG Conference Center that supported the larger mission of the University. This included overseeing all C-Level communications, RFP's, biding process, faciities management, Food and Beverage standards, pricing structures, client satisfaction initiatives, and the creation of long-range planning of new policies, and procedures. Ensured compliance with contract management of the University of Maryland standards. Created and compiled any, analysis, preparation, compilation, and distribution of the billing and financial reporting for the department. Certified in Virtual Event Meeting Management.Increased Guest satisfaction scores and overall yearly revenue by 15% through creating standard procedure and executing sales iniciatives.The University of Maryland at Shady Grove offers over 300,000 square feet of meeting space and features an 8,700 square foot ballroom, multiple auditoriums that seat from 130 to 160 guests, as well as over 50 breakout rooms for smaller groups. Since its inception in 2000, when nine of Maryland’s leading public universities were brought together through an innovative partnership, USG has evolved into a vibrant center for higher education, serving more than 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Established and managed the implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities of all event service activities for over 900 associations, non-profits and corporate events per year. Directed a 12 person team in the planning, production, and development of all conferences to include: site-selection, contract negotiation, attrition management, budgeting, meeting planning, registration pick up, analysis and workflow management. Developed and oversaw $14 Million annual departmental budget. Developed programs to ensure optimal lead generation and incorporated strategic integration of marketing activities to achieve revenue goals.• Increased customer satisfaction by 50% for 2009 and 25% for 2010 by designing and implementing client-driven best practice policies.• Launched new sales initiatives by re-evaluating and leveraging operational mandates thereby increasing production and reducing labor cost by 10%.• Exceeded year-end budgeted forecasts by 15% through departmental upselling and strategic negotiations. • Increased efficiency in departmental procedures by training staff on property specific software systems. (Delphi, Sales Force Automation, Meeting Matrix, Opera, Oracle and Epitome). • Achieved employee satisfaction rate of 92% for both 2009 and 2010 by providing ongoing feedback and developmental opportunities to staff. Recognized both years as one of the Top 100 Places to Work in D.C.• Managed various complexities of large-scale high-profile events including developing solutions and execution strategies to meet the diverse needs of all stakeholders such as annual association expositions, foreign embassy officials, the United States Secret Service and the Obama Administration.

Scottsdale Az

Operations transition expert brought in to finalize and coordinate corporate dissipation from Marriott Corporation to Blackstone Inc. Outcomes include system upgrades, employees trained on new platforms, and the smooth integration of new corporate policies while introducing the new brand and marketing campaign.- Coordinated and implemented new organizational procedures.- Supported system upgrades, trained existing employees on new implemented platforms and worked closely with new regional directors to achieve a smooth corporate integration while introducing a new brand and marketing campaign

Glendale, Arizona, United States

Developed the opening and departmental operating procedures for the 100,000 square foot Glendale Convention Center and 450 room hotel while ensuring its daily operational success.- Directed and trained teams to achieve high-business impact and high-level performance success in customer service, catering, conventions, and operations.- Collaborated with executive committee to create a new brand experience for marketing purposes.- Responsible for all property-based events and logistics for Super Bowl XLII, Fiesta Bowl and NYSE opening bell ceremony.- Created and oversaw an opening budget of $14 million while monitoring expenditures by using cost-benefit analysis to set priorities

Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

Solely responsible for the day-to-day departmental operations and events; managed all corporate and social events to ensure forecasted profitability. Met or exceeded budget expectations and was a key contributor in the creation and launching of a hotel-wide business and marketing plan.- Implemented best practice techniques and developed operating procedures for standardized deliverables and customer communication, which increased productivity in campaign turnovers.- Formulated objectives and implemented a long-term consistent plan that focused on promoting the company to the global market.- Increased employee productivity by rapidly providing time-critical programs to regional operators.

Bellingham, Washington Area