Angela Garger
Groton,MA
Summary
Director of Events with extensive experience coordinating logistics and personnel to deliver high impact seamless events. Expert in all elements of events including event strategy, event design, contract negotiation, vendor management, timeline development, budget administration and on-site execution. Dedicated to staff development and training to enhance employee engagement and boost performance.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Manager, Event Production
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
01.2023 - Current
- Collaborates with relationship management team and volunteer engagement staff serving as project manager to ensure exceptional event experience for participants and sponsors.
- Coordinates all logistics for events including securing venues, vendors. and route support.
- Worked with local town and city officials on permitting process.
- Responsible for updating and adhering to all event production timelines.
- On site management of all events from start to finish to ensure successful operation and overall participant satisfaction.
- Determined and scheduled staff assignments for events to drive operational excellence.
- Made immediate impact by managing budgets more effectively and reducing operational costs.
- Identified and built new vendor relationships that offered more competitive pricing.
- Worked closely with legal department on contracting terms and risk management guidelines related to event execution, (including police support, emergency communication, and medical support).
Director of Conference and Event Services
Brandeis University
02.2007 - 03.2021
- Managed all logistics of event planning for internal and external clients, including event design, venue set up, catering, audio visual and lighting needs.
- Nurtured and built relationships with vendor partners and on campus services including facilities services, information technology and security to create successful high impact events.
- Established a centralized approach for coordinating services to create a one-stop shop for events.
- Coordinated multiple events simultaneously for internal departments, the Board of Directors, and the President's Office.
- Trained and mentored new employees on industry practices and business operations.
- Managed team of volunteers, internal staff, and outside vendors to execute large scale events.
- Coordinated commencement each year which included executing simultaneous events and main commencement exercises for 8000 people.
- Revamped commencement schedule to eliminate outdoor locations which saved $80,000 in additional set up and audiovisual needs.
- Collaborated with Senior Leadership, Department Heads, Faculty and other stakeholders on event strategy and objectives.
- Executed events for former President Jimmy Carter, Former President Bill Clinton and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
- Experienced managing virtual and hybrid events
- Worked as project manager on large scale events, renovation projects, and software implementations.
- Created and instituted office systems that increased accuracy, efficiency and overall customer satisfaction.
- Maintained professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing difficult situations and last-minute changes.
- Implemented university wide scheduling software to further centralize scheduling process.
- Worked with City of Waltham Licensing Commission to obtain alcohol and entertainment permits for events
- Received Ennis Award, (exempt employee of the year), for outstanding service to the University.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MASkills
- Skilled in coordinating event logistics
- Event planning and operational execution
- Vendor relationship management
- Contract negotiations
- Personnel management
- Extremely organized
- Ability to manage multiple projects
- Project management
- Budget Planning and Administration
- Staff Training and Development
- Leadership
- Stakeholder Relations
- Interpersonal Skills
- Superior written and verbal communication
Certification
Certified Meeting Professional, (CMP), Events Industry Council - November 2021
Professional Organizations
Meeting Professionals International, (MPI), Member
Affiliations
Humane Society of Greater Nashua New Hampshire, Shelter Volunteer
Meeting Professionals International, (MPI) Education Committee, Volunteer
Groton Lakes Association, Groton, MA, Secretary
Timeline
Manager, Event Production
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
01.2023 - Current
Director of Conference and Event Services
Brandeis University
02.2007 - 03.2021
Bachelor of Science - Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration
University of Massachusetts Amherst