CAMDEN GUSTASON
Santa Barbara,CA
Summary
Dynamic professional with over 13 years in luxury event management, travel planning, and digital marketing. Expertise in designing exceptional client experiences, fostering strong vendor relationships, and driving revenue growth through strategic event execution. Currently leading event strategies that enhance community engagement and business collaboration.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Events Manager
Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce
Santa Barbara, CA
05.2025 - Current
- Manage the Chamber's largest revenue-generating program with over $1,000,000 in event budgets to consistently meet and exceed financial targets.
- Plan, coordinate, and execute 30+ events per year of varying scale and scope, including networking mixers, the Goleta Lemon Festival, B2B Breakfasts, and community signature events serving the South Coast business community.
- Oversaw event logistics from concept to execution, managing budgets, timelines, venue coordination, and post-event reporting to ensure successful events.
- Grew events team by recruiting an Events Intern and Events Assistant; directed event-day staff and volunteers for seamless execution across all programs.
- Connected local businesses, government officials, and the broader community, facilitating relationships that strengthened South Coast's civic and economic fabric.
Travel Planner
Best Day Ever Vacations
Santa Barbara, CA
09.2024 - Current
- Design and execute bespoke travel experiences for clients, delivering white-glove, highly personalized service that ensures exceptional satisfaction and repeat business.
- Managed complex, multi-destination itineraries across client calendars, coordinating all booking logistics with precision to enhance client experience.
- Resolved client inquiries and travel disruptions with professionalism and urgency, resulting in strong referrals and positive reviews.
Event Manager
Los Padres ForestWatch
Santa Barbara, CA
11.2022 - 12.2024
- Managed end-to-end production of high-profile nonprofit fundraising events, including Ojai WILD! and Santa Barbara WILD!, achieving a 30% year-over-year increase in revenue.
- Cultivated relationships with sponsors, donors, vendors, and local partners, securing sponsorships that expanded event scope and increased overall impact.
- Reduced event operating costs by $13,000 while simultaneously surpassing fundraising goals, demonstrating strategic budget management and vendor negotiation skills.
- Executed digital marketing campaigns that significantly boosted donor engagement, attendance, and community visibility.
- Recruited, trained, and managed interns and volunteers, fostering a collaborative team culture that ensured seamless event-day execution.
Talent Acquisition Coordinator
NZXT
Santa Barbara, CA
03.2022 - 07.2022
- Led Talent Branding initiative that increased LinkedIn engagement by 30%, reinforcing employer brand and enriching talent pipeline.
- Designed and implemented best practices for full-cycle recruitment, enhancing candidate experience and optimizing hiring pipeline.
- Managed Greenhouse ATS platform, trained hiring managers and recruiters to ensure effective platform adoption and utilization.
Production Coordinator
CBS Interactive (Paramount+)
Los Angeles, CA
06.2012 - 03.2022
- Coordinated content integration and publishing for CBS.com and Paramount+, delivering high-priority digital content on time and accurately across platforms.
- Managed workflow transitions and quality assurance during CBS All Access launch and rebranding to Paramount+, contributing to project success.
- Led cross-functional technical operations meetings, troubleshooting complex issues and implementing process improvements to maintain seamless content delivery.
- Oversaw digital rights management for large asset library, ensuring compliance with legal and contractual obligations.
Event Manager
Rani Hoover, Inspired Weddings and Events
Santa Barbara, CA
10.2012 - 10.2018
- Led planning, coordination, and flawless execution of high-end weddings and luxury events, managing all aspects of budgets, vendor relationships, logistics, and client communications.
- Sourced and negotiated venues and vendor contracts, delivering exceptional events aligned with client expectations and budget constraints.
- Developed creative event concepts and personalized branding for each client, realizing unique visions through meticulous attention to detail.
Marketing Intern
The Walt Disney Company
Burbank, CA
01.2011 - 01.2012
Administrative Assistant
Wells Fargo Advisors
Westlake Village, CA
01.2009 - 01.2011
Senior Scheduler & Administrative Assistant
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA
01.2008 - 01.2011
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA05-2012
Skills
- Event & Project Management
- Zoom
- Event management
- Event promotion
- Logistics coordination
- Venue management
- Budget Development & Financial Oversight
- Budgeting and forecasting
- DocuSign
- Vendor management
- Vendor relationship management
- Contract management
- Contract negotiation
- Donor relations
- Fundraising events
- Digital marketing
- Promotional advertising
- Promotional materials
- Customer Service & Client Relations
- Customer relations
- Client experience
- Stakeholder engagement
- Sales negotiation
- Business development
- Business & Operations
- Financial reporting
- Project management
- Project oversight
- Registration management
- Event billing
- Guest management
- Staff, Intern & Volunteer Training
- Staff management
- Team leadership
- Team mentorship
- Talent Acquisition & HR
- Recruitment
- Employer branding
- Diversity initiatives
- Platforms & Software: Google Suite
- Microsoft Office
- Slack
- Zoom
- Canva
- Adobe Creative Suite
- DocuSign
- Shopify
- Donor Perfect
- Claude AI
- Event & Member Management: Mondaycom
- Communication skills
- Volunteer Local
- JIRA
- Greenhouse ATS
- CRM & Project Management Platforms
- Travel & Concierge Tools: Travefy
- Lead Assign
- Additional Capabilities: Analytics & Market Research
- Video Production & Content Management
- Itinerary design
- Time management
- Deadline management
- Adaptability
- Detail-oriented
- Troubleshooting issues
- Crisis response
- Schedule management
- Supplier relations
- Sponsorship
- Records maintenance
- Transport coordination
- Events planning trends
- Requirements gathering
- Event evaluation
- Communication skills
- Team leadership
- Customer service-driven
- Event promotion
- Event technology
- Team mentorship
- File management
- Fundraising events
- Transport coordination
- Events planning trends
- Requirements gathering
- Event evaluation
- Expense control
Accomplishments
- Produces 30+ events annually as Events Manager for the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, managing all logistics, budgets, and team coordination across events of varying scale and scope.
- Reduced nonprofit event operating costs by $13,000 while surpassing fundraising targets and delivering a 30% year-over-year revenue increase at Los Padres ForestWatch.
- Increased LinkedIn employer engagement by 30% through a targeted Talent Branding campaign at NZXT, strengthening the company's talent pipeline.
- Played an integral role in the launch and rebrand of CBS All Access to Paramount+, managing content workflows and platform transitions across a decade-long tenure.
- Brought a creative, client-first approach to high-end wedding and luxury event management for six years, delivering flawless experiences for discerning clients across Santa Barbara.
Timeline
Events Manager
Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce
05.2025 - Current
Travel Planner
Best Day Ever Vacations
09.2024 - Current
Event Manager
Los Padres ForestWatch
11.2022 - 12.2024
Talent Acquisition Coordinator
NZXT
03.2022 - 07.2022
Event Manager
Rani Hoover, Inspired Weddings and Events
10.2012 - 10.2018
Production Coordinator
CBS Interactive (Paramount+)
06.2012 - 03.2022
Marketing Intern
The Walt Disney Company
01.2011 - 01.2012
Administrative Assistant
Wells Fargo Advisors
01.2009 - 01.2011
Senior Scheduler & Administrative Assistant
Loyola Marymount University
01.2008 - 01.2011
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Loyola Marymount University