Hospitality and Event Planning Network (HEPN) for 1 September 2008

Welcome to the Hospitality and Event Planning Network, a career and

relationship building newsletter network for all who work in the

hospitality and event planning industries, published by Sonja Johnson.

The objective of this network is to build relationships and help each

other with career issues and other professional and personal challenges.

Here's how to participate: Send any issue or job opportunity to

sonjahepn@comcast.net and I will post it in the weekly newsletter sent

to you and all other subscribers. If you are sending a job opportunity,

please include the title, organization, and location, as well as a brief

description/link/contact information. We also like to hear if you got a

job as a result of this network!

Some of the older HEPN editions are now listed at:

http://www.nedsjotw.com/blog/HospitalityEventPlanningJobs.

Issues from November 27, 2006 onward are also posted at

http://sonjahepn.livejournal.com/.

This network thrives on sharing. Invite your friends! Anyone can sign up

by sending a blank e-mail to hepn-subscribe@topica.com.

Neither Topica nor I rents, sells, or gives out your information on this

list.

This week's edition includes:

*** The Short Self-Pitch (SSP)

*** Upcoming Conferences

1. Assistant Manager, Exhibitor Services & Operations; National

Restaurant Association; Chicago, IL

2. Trade Show Manager; National Restaurant Association; Chicago, IL

3. Events Registration and Database Manager; Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

; San Francisco, CA

4. Planner-Meetings and Groups; American Express; Irvine, CA

5. Senior Events Manager; Nuclear Energy Institute; Washington, DC

6. Registration Coordinator; Lumbermens Merchandising Corporation;

Wayne, PA

7. Meeting Manager; SourceMedia; New York, NY

8. Senior Catering Sales Executive; MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL; Washington,

9. Mgr-Restaurant; MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL; Washington, DC

10. Manager, Exhibits (Part-Time); National Association of Elementary

School Principals; Alexandria, VA

11. Meetings and Database Coordinator; American Orthopaedic Association;

Rosemont, IL

12. Assistant Manager, Exhibitor Services & Operations; National

Restaurant Association; Chicago, IL

13. Regional Meetings Coordinator; Council On State Taxation;

Washington, DC

14. Events Assistant; MacDowell Colony; New York, NY

15. Corporate Events Coordinator; Piper Jaffray & Co.; Minneapolis, MN

16. Associate Director, Meetings and Convention Services; AWHONN;

Washington, DC

17. Account Executive (Sales Manager); Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie;

Grand Prairie, TX

18. Sales Account Executive; CORT Event Furnishings; Westchester, NY

19. Conference Support and A / V Assistant; Institute for Defense

Analyses; Alexandria, VA

20. CME / CE Coordinator; American College of Cardiology; Washington, DC

21. Exposition Specialist; American College of Cardiology; Washington,

22. Sr Catering Sales Exec (NE); MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL; Washington, DC

23. Director of Catering Sales; MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL; Washington, DC

24. CONFERENCE/MEETING PLANNER; National Assoc. of Public Hospitals;

Washington, DC

25. Assistant Front Office Manager; Radisson Hotel – Reagan National

Airport; Arlington, VA

26. Mgr-Full Service Communications; MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL; Bethesda,

27. Director, CFRST Culinary Sustainability; MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL;

Bethesda, MD

28. Senior Designer for Interactive and Print; MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL;

Bethesda, MD

29. Director, Brand Compliance Operations; Choice Hotels International;

Silver Spring, MD

30. Manager, Internet Applications Support; Choice Hotels International;

Phoenix, AZ

31. Manager, Travel Industry Market-Agent; Choice Hotels International;

Silver Spring, MD

32. Dir-Association Accounts; MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL; Bethesda, MD

33. Event Planner / AA; Barrack Association Management, Inc.; Sterling,

************* The Short Self-Pitch (SSP) *********************

The HEPN offers a special feature: the Short Self-Pitch (SSP). If you

are looking for a job opportunity or offer free-lance services, send a

brief paragraph to

sonjahepn@comcast.net. One SSP will be included each week.

************* Upcoming Conferences *************

Do you know of an upcoming conference that the HEPN readers should be

aware of? Send the details to sonjahepn@comcast.net for inclusion in the

next newsletter.

*****************

1. Assistant Manager, Exhibitor Services & Operations; National

Restaurant Association; Chicago, IL

The National Restaurant Association has a position available in their

convention office providing professional expertise and support for the

exhibitor services and operations effort for the annual trade show.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to, management and

servicing of exhibitors; planning, production and management of on-site

specialty areas; production of exhibitor service kit, newsletters and

other exhibit materials; conduct exhibit space assignments; production

and management of on-site show operations office. The ideal candidate

has a minimum of five years progressive trade show operations and

customer service experience; detail oriented and highly organized with

proven project management skills. Bachelor's degree preferred or

equivalent work experience. Please forward your cover letter, resume

and salary requirements to National Restaurant Association, HR/ESO, 150

N. Michigan Ave., #2000, Chicago, IL, 60601, or email

jobs@restaurant.org

2. Trade Show Manager; National Restaurant Association; Chicago, IL

The National Restaurant Association has an immediate opening in a newly

created position to lead and manage the International, Wine, Spirits and

Beer Event in their Chicago office. The Trade Show Manager is

accountable for day-to-day trade show operations, results and execution

of annual plan. Primary responsibilities include developing and

implementing operational aspects of event; executing exhibitor contract

processing; overseeing promotional material/communication pieces;

managing attendee & exhibitor databases; customer service. The ideal

candidate should possess a minimum of eight years trade show management

experience; ability to translate strategic direction into action; be

highly organized and ability to multi-task; skills in supervision,

customer service and sales; and work independently but function as part

of a larger show team. Direct resume to National Restaurant Association,

HR/TSM, 150 N Michigan Ave, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60601 or email to

jobs@restaurant.org

3. Events Registration and Database Manager; Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

; San Francisco, CA

Schwab's purpose is to help everyone become financially fit. Over the

last thirty years, Schwab has grown from a brokerage house into one of

the nation's leading financial institutions.

Group Overview: The Charles Schwab Event & Production Services group is

responsible for designing and executing both internal and client events

that support the strategic direction of the firm. With a portfolio of

over 400 events a year, the events team reaches a broad audience and

delivers exceptional experiences to both employees and clients.

Description: The Events Registration & Database Manager position will

be responsible for managing our events registration data including list

management, internal events registration support for the Event &

Production team, non-technical project management, and events

registration software development and enhancement. A strong events

registration experience and data management skills are must.

Responsibilities:

* § Manages the delivery of invitation lists by understanding

specific criteria and pulling the data from the data warehouse

* § Produces reports that combine data from different sources to

provide insight into event attendance – both pre and post event

* § Oversees the event registration needs of the team and provide

event and data management support

* § Serves as primary interface with 3rd party event companies to

communicate and design quality event registration tools

* § Represents the needs of the events group within the framework of

Schwab's technology infrastructure

* § Additional duties as assigned

Qualifications:

* § 3-5 proven years of database management and project management

experience including data analysis

* § Knowledge of event registration systems

* § Bachelor's degree required

* § Strong customer service focus

* § Detail-oriented with emphasis on quality control

* § Excellent communication & interpersonal skills

* § Able to quickly solve problems and multi-task

* § Understanding of technology infrastructures

Technical Requirements:

* § MS Access

* § HTML

* § MS Office Tools – must demonstrate strong excel

Key Factors for Success:

* § Understanding of concepts related to data management and data

analysis

* § Proactive in solving problems and being a team player

* § Attention to deadline and details

* § Strong sense of responsibility and project ownership and ability

to consistently deliver quality work

To apply, please visit www.aboutschwab.com/careers

Please reference Job ID: W66z006 in your keyword search.

4. Planner-Meetings and Groups; American Express; Irvine, CA

When you represent a name like American Express, you have an immediate

professional advantage … respect.

Responsibilities

* Contract and negotiate with vendors – DMC relations.

* Create and design Food & Beverage functions – understanding

guarantees and limitations.

* Planning the logistics of the meeting – from meeting room setup to

coordinating 100 breakouts.

* Manage rooming lists and arrival/departures list – QC-ing these

reports daily

* Understand Attrition Guidelines and Cancellation Penalties – as

they pertain to a hotel contract.

* Being able to pickup and work with all interactive tools used by

Corporate Meeting Solutions.

* Manage multiple meetings simultaneously.

* Handle all types of programs – with varying degrees of importance.

* Handling meetings ranging from 10 people to 3000 or more.

* Coordinate with the air team to produce seamless operations

between air and land.

* Compile and reconcile the final bill.

* Being able to close out the account to (at least) the amount of

profit that was originally estimated.

* Have a good handle on estimated profit for each meeting –

consistently updating the numbers.

* Meeting all deliverables, both external and internal.

* Adhering to all internal American Express and Corporate Meeting

Solutions policies as well as all compliance issues.

Required Qualifications

* College degree is preferred in hospitality, marketing or a related

field.

* Minimum of 5 years of past meeting planning skills are required.

* CMP certification is required.

* Ideal candidate should be thoroughly familiar with travel and

hospitality industries.

* Must be proficient in Microsoft software and literate with other

computer applications.

* Ability to work within budgetary parameters, meeting critical

deadlines, and handle multiple projects simultaneously.

* Excellent communication skills, written, oral and interpersonal

are essential.

* Needs to be able to work with the corporate client to develop

programs, including destination selection, site inspections,

negotiations, costing and onsite management through final billing.

* Candidate should be flexible and able to work under pressure.

* Detailed oriented.

* Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team.

* Estimated travel – approximately 20% .

We offer top compensation and exciting benefits including

medical/dental/vision plans, 401(k) and much more!

To join our winning team, please visit

www.americanexpress.com/traveljobs and enter 106849 in the keyword

field.

American Express is an equal opportunity employer.

5. Senior Events Manager; Nuclear Energy Institute; Washington, DC

National nuclear energy policy organization seeks a creative and skilled

manager to provide overall management in the planning and implementing

of domestic and international conferences, seminars, workshops and other

special events pertinent to NEI's mission. Incumbent along with team

will manage and coordinate approximately 60 events each year, will also

develop budgets, negotiate contracts to minimize potential fees for

attrition and cancellation and develop strategies to increase

attendance. Will also manage all pre-event interactions with the hotel

and provide on-site hotel meeting leadership and conduct on-site

inspections of hotels and conference centers. The ideal candidate will

oversee and provide timeline for managing all aspects of the meeting and

meet specific deadlines. Provide supervision on-site, to NEI support

staff and hired local support staff. College degree preferred; CMP

designation preferred. Minimum of five years of conference management

experience (fee-based). Knowledge of iMIS conference registration

package strongly preferred. Traveling required at 30% to 40% a year.

Ability to develop and manage budgets; firm knowledge of hotel contract

negotiation, financial, and marketing background. NEI offers an

excellent compensation and benefits package, including savings and

pension plans.

Send resume along with salary requirement to Nuclear Energy Institute,

Attn: HR, Director, 1776 I Street, NW Ste. 400, Washington, DC 20006

or email to resumes@nei.org.

6. Registration Coordinator; Lumbermens Merchandising Corporation;

Wayne, PA

Duties:

* Act as key point of contact for LMC's registration process for all

meetings and events

* Maintain meeting database including participant profiles, hotel

information, registration information and seminar/activity selections

for all attendees of LMC meetings

* Manage hotel room blocks, monitor pickup and oversold situations,

and secure additional overflow rooms as needed,

* Minimize the risk of attrition penalties

* Electronically submit group-housing data to hotel and request

hotel room report including confirmation numbers. Review list for

accuracy and coordinate with hotel regarding errors and omissions.

Continually update hotel(s) with all name, date and room type changes to

ensure accuracy of attendee hotel arrangements

* Maintain exhibitor database including exhibitor profile, list of

approved meetings and exhibitor booth commitments for Annual and Forest

Products Meetings

* Prepare financial database to track booth and sponsorship income

from exhibitors

* Direct on-site registration team members and temporary staff

regarding duties, including policy and procedures for meeting,

registration process, daily schedule and break times. Provide on-site

assistance during meetings

* Review vendor invoices for accuracy, resolve disputed

charges/errors and prepare invoices for approval

* Direct Meetings Assistant in execution of the following duties:

management of meeting supplies (badge stock, badge covers, lanyards);

mailing of all meeting acknowledgment letters; packing and shipping of

all meeting materials according to packing checklist; photocopying and

filing of all booth contracts and other duties as required

* Work with Technology Department and software vendors on

improvements and upgrades of meeting registration software

* When required, provide back-up to LMC's Meeting Planner in the

preparation of event guides for hotels and convention centers including

room set up, catering and audio visual needs

Education/Skill Requirements:

* Bachelors degree required

* Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel; database

knowledge;ability to import and export data

* Minimum 2-3 years experience in meeting planning, trade shows,

meeting registration or related field

* Experience with meeting registration systems a plus

* Dedication to customer service

* Highly motivated, self-starter who can work independently

* Ability to adhere to deadlines, handle stressful situations with

composure and adapt to constant changes

* Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle numerous

projects simultaneously

* Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills

* Flexibility to travel (sometimes on weekends) and work extended

hours

* Ability to work in a team environment

Please submit resume with cover letter outlining your interest and

specific qualifications for this position to:

Corporate Meetings & Travel

Lumbermens Merchandising Corporation

E-mail: kbutcosk@lumbermen.com

Fax: 610-263-0606

7. Meeting Manager; SourceMedia; New York, NY

http://www.mpiweb.org/CMS/mpiweb/JobBank/DisplayJob.aspx?JobId=7337

8. Senior Catering Sales Executive; MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL; Washington,

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wl/jobs/JS_JobSearchDetail?jobid=26930496&jobSummaryIndex=64&agentID=

9. Mgr-Restaurant; MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL; Washington, DC

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wl/jobs/JS_JobSearchDetail?jobid=26930501&jobSummaryIndex=65&agentID=

10. Manager, Exhibits (Part-Time); National Association of Elementary

School Principals; Alexandria, VA

The National Association of Elementary School Principals, located in

Alexandria, Virginia, is a National organization providing support to

elementary and middle level principals and other education leaders in

their commitment to all children. Over 30,000 members of NAESP provide

administrative and instructional leadership for public and private

elementary and middle schools throughout the United States, Canada and

overseas.

NAESP has an immediate opening to manage the Annual Exposition. The

Exhibits Manager is accountable for day-to-day exhibit/trade show

operations. Primary responsibilities include exhibit booth and

sponsorship sales. You will have comprehensive responsibility for full

on-site exposition management, and implementing operational aspects of

event. Executing exhibitor contract processing; overseeing promotional

material/communication pieces; managing attendee & exhibitor databases;

customer service. The ideal candidate should possess a minimum of five+

years of trade show management experience; ability to translate

strategic direction into action; be highly organized and ability to

multi-task; skills in supervision, customer service and sales; and work

independently but function as part of a larger show team. Direct resume

to National Association of Elementary School Principals, HR/NAESP, 1615

Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 or email hr@naesp.org

Web site: http://www.naesp.org/

Contact: Deborah Young

Phone: 703-518-6296

Fax: 703-549-5568

hr@naesp.org

11. Meetings and Database Coordinator; American Orthopaedic Association;

Rosemont, IL

http://www.jobtarget.com/c/job.cfm?site_id=518&jb=4716331