AYNSLEY STEPHENSON
Phoenix,AZ
Summary
Innovative and organized Event Professional with a history of successful implementation and a high level of service for corporate meetings and conference ranging from 10-1,300 attendees. Offering nearly 20 years of experience in the realm of hospitality and events, plus a background in entertainment.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Conference Services Manager
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort & Spa
Scottsdale, AZ
06.2022 - Current
- Organized and coordinated all aspects of conferences, including hotel accommodations, food & beverage, audio visual equipment, meeting room needs, and all other ancillary requirements. Resolved any issues that arose during the course of organizing a conference or event.
- Managed 51 Programs in 2023 with a total of 18,255 Room Nights and nearly $6 million in Food & Beverage Revenue.
Group Events Manager
CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa
Carefree, AZ
10.2020 - 06.2022
- Worked as part of the post-pandemic re-opening team for this new Resort. As a one-person event team, I managed all in-house and client groups and events while preserving the quiet enjoyment of leisure resort guests and integrating with existing wellness programming. In April 2021 alone, I managed 18 groups, in addition to managing the small banquet team and various projects.
- Guided the sales team in their efforts to provide safe and operationally sound group experiences.
- Maximized space utilization for functions while working with the wellness programming department to ensure adequate space for up to 30 daily classes with social distancing.
- Ran lead on the creation of the Resort’s new banquet menus and banquet guidelines
- Identified and managed the implementation of new outdoor event spaces on property.
- Created processes for banquet event order distribution and running BEO and resume meetings.
- Spearheaded the redesign of CIVANA’s “event look” with marketing, overseeing inventory and ordering of equipment.
Senior Event Manager
Marriott International JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
Phoenix, AZ
11.2016 - 09.2020
- Managed groups of up to 950 rooms on peak with attendance of 2800+ guests, as well as local and social events.
- Researched procedures, menus, and strategies at other properties in order to maximize revenues and lead the area with brand and comp set best practices.
- Mentored and Managed Event Specialists to ensure their continued growth and service excellence.
Event Manager
Marriott International JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
Phoenix, AZ
01.2015 - 11.2016
- Managed groups of up to 800 rooms on peak with attendance of 1000+ guests.
- Had Personal Intent to Recommend scores of over 95% in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
- Achieved Platinum Elite in Personal Event Satisfaction Scores in 2019.
- Forecasted group sleeping rooms and event revenue within 4% accuracy.
- Managed revenue and profitability associated with events.
- Worked closely with Sales, Revenue Management, and Function Space Managers to maximize revenue through upsells and space release initiatives.
- Prepared all event documentation and coordinate with group sales and/or catering sales, hotel departments, and customer to ensure consistent, high level service throughout pre-event, event and post event phases of each program.
- Built strong relationships with clients and throughout the Resort in order to proactively find mutually beneficial solutions for any problems during the planning phase or onsite during a program.
Event Coordinator
Marriott International JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
03.2013 - 01.2015
- Served as the event planner’s primary contact on property and was accountable for their experience and satisfaction
Special Events & Volunteer Coordinator
Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter, Central Arizona Region
Phoenix, AZ
05.2012 - 12.2012
- Managed third-party and Alzheimer’s Association hosted fundraising events including, but not limited to: Walks, 5ks, Galas, Wine Tastings and various corporate promotions by: Building and leading committees and volunteers for events.
- Sold corporate sponsorships for all events
- Coordinated social media, e-blasts and collateral production.
- Managed logistics for events, including 4 walks with attendance ranging from 150 – 5,000 people.
- Promoted events and the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association to the community through speaking engagements and networking events.
- Conceived and implemented the first-ever “Virtual Walk Kickoff Week”.
Special Events Manager
Tennyson Center for Children
Denver, CO
10.2010 - 05.2012
- Managed third-party and Tennyson Center hosted fundraising events including, but not limited to: Golf Tournaments, 5ks, Galas, Wine Tastings and various corporate promotions by: Crafting the “event message” through collateral, social media, website copy, press release and script writing.
- Initiated and developed relationships with donors, committees and businesses.
- Planned timelines, themes, committee formation and composition, décor, logistical elements, promotion, fundraising plan and staffing.
- Determined, booked and managed entertainment and speakers.
- Recruited, trained and directed volunteers and staff.
- Created and managed event budgets and fundraising goals.
Group Sales/Events Manager/MOD
LaSalle Hotel/Lane Hospitality
Bryan, TX
12.2005 - 09.2008
- Exceeded the budgeted revenue goal every quarter
- Produced all sales contracts, rate agreements, and banquet event orders.
- Led the design of the Hotel's new logo and website.
- Oversaw banquet and meeting room set-up, as well as event service.
- Researched and promoted the history of the area and of the hotel via media outreach and ad sales.
- Produced monthly sales-related reports and sales forecasts for all markets.
- Attended and represented hotel at trade shows and conventions and participated in sales trips to key feeder markets.
- Developed a close working relationship with the Chamber of Commerce, and the area CVB.
- Executed yield management strategies online and at property.
- Initiated a “green” program for the hotel that included recycling of office and café materials, energy saving measures and switching to eco-friendly products.
Education
Bachelor of Arts -
Point Park University
Pittsburgh, PA12-2003
Skills
- Meeting Planning, Event Planning, Conference Planning
- Client Service & Relationship Building
- Hotels & Resorts, Entertainment, Health & Wellness
- Menu Planning, Catering Coordination & Oversight
- Logistics Management & Operations Oversight
- Venue Selection & Contract Negotiation
- Budgetary Planning
- Fundraising
- Vendor Management
- Volunteer Management
- Adaptability, Problem-Solving, Creativity
- Interpersonal Communication
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor of Arts - Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA
- The Management Factor, Inc/Sales Leadership, Inc. Denver, CO
- Florida Atlantic University – Hospitality and Tourism Management Executive Certificate
- Marriott International - Certified Marriott Wedding Planner, Marriott International Green Meetings Certification, CaterCraft Quick Bites, Peer Review Panelist Certified, Opening Note, Symphony of Service, SPIRIT 1 & 2 Supervisor Trainings, Management Development Readiness Process Certification, GroupMAX Detailed Review Webinar Series for Event Managers, Foundations of Leadership
- Proficient in Microsoft programs, SocialTables, MeetingMatrix, Opera, CI/TY. Working knowledge of Passkey and various PMS systems.
Certification
Certified Marriott Wedding Planner, Marriott International Green Meetings Certification, CaterCraft Quick Bites, Peer Review Panelist Certified, Symphony of Service, SPIRIT 1 & 2 Supervisor Trainings, Management Development Readiness Process Certification, GroupMAX Detailed Review Webinar Series for Event Managers, Foundations of Leadership
Florida Atlantic University – Hospitality and Tourism Management Executive Certificate
Accomplishments
- 2021 Team Member of the Quarter - 2nd Quarter
- 2019 Manager of the Quarter – 3rd Quarter
- 2016 Manager of the Quarter – 3rd Quarter
- 40 Under 40 Nomination - Denver Business Journal
Affiliations
- Social Impact, Ethical Fashion, Conservation, Humane Animal Treatment, Dance, Culinary Excellence
Timeline
Senior Conference Services Manager
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort & Spa
06.2022 - Current
Group Events Manager
CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa
10.2020 - 06.2022
Senior Event Manager
Marriott International JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
11.2016 - 09.2020
Event Manager
Marriott International JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
01.2015 - 11.2016
Event Coordinator
Marriott International JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
03.2013 - 01.2015
Special Events & Volunteer Coordinator
Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter, Central Arizona Region
05.2012 - 12.2012
Special Events Manager
Tennyson Center for Children
10.2010 - 05.2012
Group Sales/Events Manager/MOD
LaSalle Hotel/Lane Hospitality
12.2005 - 09.2008
Bachelor of Arts -
Point Park University
Certified Marriott Wedding Planner, Marriott International Green Meetings Certification, CaterCraft Quick Bites, Peer Review Panelist Certified, Symphony of Service, SPIRIT 1 & 2 Supervisor Trainings, Management Development Readiness Process Certification, GroupMAX Detailed Review Webinar Series for Event Managers, Foundations of Leadership
Florida Atlantic University – Hospitality and Tourism Management Executive Certificate
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