Special Events Manager

Jean Adams
604 Harmony Lane
Pleasantville, CA 94588
(925) 555-1234

SPECIAL EVENTS MANAGER

EXCEPTIONAL LEVEL OF COMMUNICATION & MOTIVATION
VERIFIABLE HISTORY OF OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS IN CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENTS
TOTAL DEDICATION TO EXCEEDING CLIENT & PERSONAL EXPECTATIONS

Consummate professional presenting with 9 years extensive accomplishments within the special events industry. Vital ability to analyze, pre-empt, and address critical issues, and to maintain maximum composure under crisis situations. Bottom-line understanding of financial strategies to increase profitability with history of working within million dollar plus budgets. Comprehensive organizational expertise and attention to detail combine with natural leadership and good humor to create positive, motivated team environments which consistently exceed all expectations.

PROFILE OF ACHIEVEMENTS

SHOWSTOPPER EVENTS - CONTRACT

Travelscene Conference Opening Ceremony, Cairns, 2003
NZ Telecom Incentive Special Events, Gold Coast, 2002
LJ Hooker Conference Special Events, Perth, 2002
IGA Metcash Gala Dinner – BEC, Brisbane, 2002
Toyota Financial Services Dinner, Brisbane, 2002

HEDGEHOG EVENTS - CONTRACT

BAD Awards – BCEC, Brisbane, 2003
CUB Sportsman Lunch – BCEC
International Credit Union Forum, Brisbane, 2003

AMP - EVENT MANAGER - CONTRACT

AMP Expo – Journey of a Nation, Brisbane, 2001

SHOWSTOPPER EVENTS – FULL TIME EMPLOYEE

LJ Hooker Conference & Special Events, Gold Coast 2000 / Sydney 1998 / Hobart 1996
Mercedes Benz Dinners, Brisbane 1998, 1996
UTAG Conference Special Events,
Coolum 2001, 1996 / Melbourne 1999 / Hobart 1998 / Adelaide 1997
Young Presidents Organization Family Universities,
Hawaii 1999 / New Zealand 1997 / Coolum 1995
Lord Mayors’ Carols by Candlelight, Brisbane 2001, 1996, 1995
IGA Metcash Gala Dinners, Brisbane 2002, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1995
Property Council of Australia Gala Dinners, Brisbane 1999, 1998
Local Government Association Dinners, Cairns 1997 / Brisbane 1996
Mazda Metro 121 Launch & Dinner, Brisbane 1997
Olympics 2000 – Soccer Opening Ceremony, Brisbane 2000

CROWNING MOMENTS

1998
Closing Ceremony of the Young Presidents Organization Family University
– New Zealand
Played vital role in technical planning and layout of tent separating into two-room venue and seating 1,200 guests for sit down dinner. Led technical team of 3 draping and theming professionals, 2 audio-visual technicians, 2 lighting and 2 sound engineers, 2 special effects technicians, and 1 power consultant. Utilized ‘French action’ curtain reveal incorporating sound and lighting effects, and pyrotechnical rockets to enhance the ‘reveal’ moment and draw the audience’s eyes above and behind to adjoining stage and dancing arena. Skillfully resolved numerous timing difficulties experienced during rehearsals by suggesting innovative alternatives and leading and motivating team members. Called entire show blind after technical difficulties prevented affirmative feedback.
1997
Civil Contractors Federation Gala Awards Dinner
- Royal Pines Resort Ballroom
Strategically planned all aspects from production schedules, to detailed scripts for Master of Ceremonies, Tony Barber, to audiovisual pre-production of awards. Overcame unprecedented challenge half an hour before guest arrival when client changed 80% of event running program and theatrical presentation. Manually rewrote entire script, consulted with Master of Ceremonies, and returned to position 5 minutes before start. Called show from hand-written notes to unprepared technical crew, prompting upcoming cues on the run. No mistakes were made despite severely challenging circumstances. Intimate knowledge of script and content enabled adaptable and flexible changes.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

EVENT & STAGE MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS SPANNING 2002 TO PRESENT

SHOWSTOPPER EVENTS – Fortitude Valley, Qld
Event Manager
Charged with full creative and operational management and supervision of entire event cast and crew. Created benchmark template for production schedules and running orders. Compiled theatrical terminology glossary for use in training staff. Reported to creative director.

HEDGEHOG EVENTS – Yatala, Qld
Stage Manager
Exercised full accountability for smooth running, correct timing and total event control. Supervised entire cast and crew throughout events. Trained all company staff in correct terminology and method of running a show. Reported to director.

OVERVIEW:
· Accountable for all aspects including overseeing lighting, sound, audio-visual, staging, special effects, theme set-up and numerous others for rehearsals and main event.
· Utilized talkback system to call all technical and theatrical cues.
· Prepared detailed, fully timed production schedules/scripts including technical and talent cues and stage movements.
· Directed performers, technical crew, caterers and venue staff from master production schedule.

FULL-TIME EVENT & OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT SPANNING 1994 TO 2002

SHOWSTOPPER EVENTS – Fortitude Valley, Qld
1994 to 2000
Senior Event Manager
Due to recognized expertise was concurrently employed as both Senior Event Manager and Operations Manager (5/1998 – 6/2000) for this high profile special events management company. Coordinated and stage managed over 100 events from outdoor public concerts catering for capacity of 10,000 to private dinner parties for 20 people.
Accountable for event budgets to $1.4 million with full responsibility for liaison with clients, venue, talent, and suppliers. Creatively managed event conception, design and implementation. Responsible for production and technical stage management, lighting and theming design consultation, and bump-in and bump-out supervision on-site. Supervised food and beverage, tender document briefings and catering appointments. Conducted rehearsals with director and choreographer.
Prepared scale floor plans, set sketches, and stage plans accommodating 40-piece orchestral stage design. Organized air travel, accommodation etc for cast and crew. Wrote proposals; prepared government tender documents, budgets, quotations, contracts, letters of appointment, production schedules and numerous others. Trained event managers, directed performers, and supervised auditions. Liaised with financial controller on full budgetary matters and creative director confirming quality control. Conducted key negotiations with artists and relevant managers, musicians, vocalists and numerous others. Organized all aspects of 5 star accommodations.

Unique Challenges:
Challenge:
Poor quoting and over promising had lead to exceptionally tight event budget.
Action &
Result:
Drew upon ability to think laterally and conducted hard line negotiations to institute cost effective alternatives and maintain creative integrity and design while still achieving allocated profit margin.

Challenge:
Challenging client consistently needed full agenda several months before an event.
Action &
Result:
Compiled detailed list of all relevant steps required to achieve realistic time frame from time of booking to final invoicing. Experienced dramatic improvement in client communications, relationship and level of confidence. Improved personal management of time and workload.

Key Achievements & Strengths:
· Increased overall efficiency and team confidence through creation of detailed event management checklists to guide and assist team members.
· Received rapid promotion to Senior Event Manager after only 12 months service. Gained management trust and peer recognition as a dedicated professional able to create fun motivated environments despite stressful circumstances.
· Gained 3 ‘unrequested’ salary increases due to recognised expertise, client relationship skills, improved profitability, and reduced work and stress loads across entire company.
· Requested to evaluate performance levels of fellow event managers, participate in interview processes, and requested to be on-site during most events.

SHOWSTOPPER EVENTS – Fortitude Valley, Qld
1998 – 2000
Operations Manager
Charged with entire quality control and supervision of event management team, and full budgetary accountability. Accepted bottom-line responsibility for matching clients to managers. Reviewed production schedules. Conducted technical briefing meetings with key suppliers. Organized all aspects day-to-day office administration. Oversaw assembly of proposals, quotations, costs, scheduling and appointments. Negotiated staff salaries, mediated complaints, prepared annual leave calendar and termination papers. Sole responsibility for monitoring staff performance and training in event management skills. Reviewed sales forecasts, staff performance and client feedback, and ensured targets were met. Reported to directors and liaised with financial controller. Attended marketing seminars, client functions and networking events.

Unique Challenges:
Challenge:
Fellow event manager unable to assist regular client due to extreme workload.
Action &
Result:
Personally gained director’s approval to hire junior assistant creating win-win situation where manager was freed to undertake more client liaison, client expectations were met, and the company was able to train a valuable assistant.

Challenge:
Marketing manager taking 4 weeks annual leave creating major organizational shortfall and challenge.
Action &
Result:
Initiated weekly meetings between team members and marketing manager to process hand-over of client files and ultimately achieve seamless transition of duties and smooth maintenance of client needs.

Key Achievements & Strengths:
· Increased revenue by 20% - 30% across 8 quarters. Consistently achieved targets and exceeded expectations.
· Implemented structure creating less stressful working environment, opening multilevel lines of communication, and instituting much needed training and motivational sessions.
· Improved overall management capability and efficiency through design of feedback form enabling accurate review of strengths and weaknesses. Used as reference document for future events.
· Created harmonious working environments through innate ability to identify positive or negative personality combinations and assign appropriately.
· Increased efficiency through creation of templates dealing with office correspondence.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Arts: Major in Drama & Design (1990)
QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY – Brisbane, Qld
Leading role in 1st Year theatrical production / Joint lead set designer for final year productions

Certificate in Priority Management: Time Management (2000)
TIME MANAGEMENT PROGRAM – Brisbane, Qld

Beverley Neil - d_scriptive@powerup.com.au