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Work Background
TC Connections LLCChief Executive Officer, Co-Founder
Jan. 2022TC Connections LLC specializes in event and exhibition management, customized sponsorship and corporate partnership program creation and management, as well as support for organizations looking for that added boost in customer service and cultivating relationships with their exhibitors and corporate partners. As your exhibition management partner, TC Connections LLC can oversee every step in the exhibit services process. Outsourcing labor-intensive exhibit management and fulfillment responsibilities to us lets your team stay focused on sales and more strategic activities that allows you to continue to grow your relationships with your partners. We are a professional, creative team of exhibition and event management and sponsorship specialists. TC Connections LLC has a combined 30 years of experience producing high-quality events along with exhibits management, and corporate partnership and sponsorship programs of every type and scale. With over 30 years of experience, TC Connections, LLC has a unique ability to provide customized customer service to your exhibitors and sponsors, especially in smaller environments, and make recommendations on how to enhance them and provide better ROI for your valued exhibitors/partners/sponsors. Creating and augmenting vendor relationships is our specialty and how we came up with our name: TC Connections. We are about building better connections!
American Chemical SocietyAsst. Director, Exhibits & Sponsorships
Sep. 2017 - Jan. 2022Washington, DCResponsible for two national meetings per year with a combined total of 25,000 attendees, over 550 companies, totaling over $1.6 million in revenue, as well as two quinquennial international conventions. Additional responsibilities and accomplishments include:
• Redesigned and created successful new sponsorship opportunities and packages, resulting in exceeding virtual and hybrid budget goals by over 200%
• Responsible for budget management of over $3 million, including revenue projections and ensuring expenses are at or below projected figures
• Launched live onsite booth sales process, resulting in an increased exhibitor retention rate of 17% • Lead member of virtual event team that successfully pivoted three in-person meetings to successful virtual and hybrid events within three-month time periods
• Built alliances across organization to effectively align with and support key business initiatives
• Provide guidance and recommendation to senior leadership on exposition/sponsorship strategy
• Created cost profit document to ensure sponsorship and advertising profitability
• Implemented new exhibit and sponsorship management software to improve efficiencies and reporting processes
• Implemented exhibitor and sponsor education program
• Redesigned exhibitor/sponsorship prospectus, which won IAEE Art of the Show Award (2018)
• Led the redesign of ACS Career Fair by adding new features such as digital headshot café, theaters, and networking opportunities • Serve as staff liaison to Expo and Industry Subcommittee
• Received ACS Catalyst Award for being key participant in Termination Recovery Task Force project which saved organization over $17million in fees due to pandemic meeting terminations
The Optical Society (OSA)Exhibit Operations Director
Feb. 2016 - Sep. 2017Washington DcManage all logistical and budgetary aspects of three large annual tradeshows, including one Top 250 event, as well as eight to fifteen hotel-based shows. Largest show is 130,700 NSF with over 650 exhibiting companies and 14,000 attendees. Responsibilities include: • Budget and estimate preparation for top three tradeshows with revenues in excess of $9 million; coordinate with team members to ensure realistic revenue and expenses are reflected
• Managed specifications for multiple exhibit floor theaters, pavilions, lounges and meeting rooms • Negotiation and management of contracted services including but not limited to security, first aid, floor managers, and international custom brokers
• Lead RFP process for General Service Contractor selection • Created and supported new exhibit floor programming initiatives, promotion of available offerings to enhance exhibitor-attendee interaction, and design/redesign of high-profile areas on the exhibit floor
• Support efforts to fully implement a sales-driven sponsorship program, providing budgetary and venue-specific logistical detail as well as offer suggestions for new sponsorships
• Oversaw efforts to plan and implement successful meetings in new international venues • Oversaw floor plan management for all events including identifying areas for improvement as well as managed three floor managers
• Streamline workflow processes for hotel-based show logistics and exhibitor communications
National School Boards AssociationDirector, Exhibits and Sponsorships
Oct. 2007 - Feb. 2016Alexandria, vaDirect exhibition sales, marketing, and operations for conference and meetings department, including responsibility for execution and production of annual trade show, sales and fulfillment of sponsorships, vendor negotiations and on-site management, and exhibitor education. Additional responsibilities included:
• Developed strategies and oversaw program budgets and goals totaling over $1.5 million associated with marketing, sales and exhibits for Annual Conference, including retention and new company acquisition goals
• Launched corporate partner program, resulting in $100,000 in additional non-dues revenue in first year
• Collaborated on creative design of first mobile application for Annual Conference; sold banner advertising to support expense and presented training session on app to attendees
• Created new and customized sponsorship opportunities for exhibitors and K-12 marketplace companies, resulting in 20% increase in sales revenue within the first year
• Managed and monitored exhibit and sponsorship sales and prospecting activities, as well as fulfillment of sponsorships opportunities
• Created and led Exhibitor Advisory Committee
• Manage activities of general service contractors, security management, telecommunication, electrical and other vendor partners to ensure successful implementation of show services
• Directed full range of meeting management for smaller meetings, including RFPs for cities and hotels, hotel contracts, negotiated rates, F&B and internet costs, and management of room blocks
National School Boards AssociationExhibits Manager
Sep. 2001 - Oct. 2007Managed exhibit sales, strategy and marketing duties of annual and technology conferences, including directing and managing all on-site exhibit floor activities and events. Responsibilities included:
• Cultivated exhibitor relations through service and outreach activities, including newsletters and email communications, exhibitor education opportunities, and serving as primary contact for exhibitor services throughout the year. • Designed, updated and maintained floor plan layout for expositions using ExpoCad and a2z software, ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and best practices
• Wrote and edited copy for promotional materials and sales correspondence, booth space application and contract, rules and regulations, and conference program book materials
• Developed and distributed exhibitor communications, including monthly newsletters and email updates, service kits and marketing manuals, and onsite information for over 500 companies
National School Boards AssociationExecutive Administrative Assistant
Mar. 1998 - Sep. 2001Provided comprehensive management and oversight for the office of the executive director. Managed multiple calendars for the executive director and coordinated all aspects of extensive travel arrangements, including domestic and international travel itineraries. Acted as liaison and board secretary to the NSBA Board of Directors. Supported conference operations by staffing information booths at annual and technology conferences.
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