Carla Clipper

• Strategically plan and execute farm-to-table events, considering logistics, timelines, and participant engagement
• Cultivate relationships with local farmers, producers, and vendors to ensure a diverse and high-quality selection of products for each event
• Incorporate sustainable practices into event planning, emphasizing eco-friendly options for logistics, packaging, and waste management
• Develop and implement marketing strategies to promote farm-to-table events, emphasizing the importance of buying local and supporting sustainable agriculture
• Foster connections with the local community, encouraging participation and building a sense of community around the farm-to-table movement
• Efficiently manage budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness while maintaining the quality and integrity of the events
• Coordinate all aspects of event logistics, including venue selection, transportation, set-up, and breakdown, to ensure a smooth and seamless experience for participants
• Integrate educational components into events, such as workshops, demonstrations, or panels, to raise awareness about the benefits of buying local and the importance of sustainable agriculture
• Stay informed about local regulations related to events and food handling, ensuring all activities comply with legal requirements
• Collect and analyze participant feedback to continuously improve and enhance future farm-to-table events, adapting strategies based on community preferences and needs.

• Recruit, manage, and maintain positive relationships with local farmers, artisans, and vendors to ensure a diverse and high-quality product offering
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the farmers market, including set-up, vendor placement, and logistical coordination to create an organized and attractive market space
• Foster a welcoming environment for customers, answering inquiries, and promoting the benefits of buying fresh, local products
• Develop and execute marketing strategies to increase market visibility, attract new customers, and retain existing ones
• Stay informed about and ensure compliance with local regulations governing farmers markets, including permits, health and safety standards, and other relevant guidelines
• Manage budgetary aspects, including vendor fees, expenses, and revenue tracking, to ensure the market's financial sustainability
• Collaborate with local organizations, businesses, and community groups to enhance the market's community engagement and presence
• Plan and organize special events or themed market days to attract a broader audience and create a dynamic market experience
• Address and resolve issues that may arise, such as conflicts between vendors, customer complaints, or logistical challenges, to maintain a positive market atmosphere
• Collect and analyze data on market performance, including vendor sales, customer attendance, and product popularity, to inform strategic decisions and improvements.

• Developed relationships with potential clients both locally and nationally
• Conducted sales calls on key accounts and potential customers both locally and nationally
• Worked with Visit Pittsburgh's sales staff to attract city-wide conventions
• Sold exhibit hall and meeting room space for conventions, meetings, banquets, and tradeshows
• Prepared customized sales proposals and service contracts while taking into consideration the client's budget
• Worked with local hotels to secure sleeping rooms for clients
• Initiated formal license agreements
• Handled clients' needs until turned over to the event manager
• Organized, prioritized, and followed through the sales cycle to establish credibility and instill trust with clients
• Conducted weekly meetings with Sales and Events department to discuss upcoming events, client issues, and utilization of the building
• Worked with internal administrative, operations, catering, audiovisual, and accounting departments to ensure the client's expectations are exceeded
• Published clients' events on website
• Managed Convention Center's Facebook accounts
• Created a Social Media Marketing Action Plan for the Convention Center
• Selected and distributed client gifts
• Created, developed, and maintained an active account database
• Worked independently as a self-starter on projects and daily activities
• Attended local (Pittsburgh) and national (out-of-town) meetings, conventions, and tradeshows representing the David L
• Lawrence Convention Center
• Organized Community Outreach Initiatives
• Developed Ungerboeck Event Management Software User's Guide
• Developed Meeting Matrix Silver User's Guide for Clients
• Trained Sales Department on Ungerboeck and Meeting Matrix Event Management Software
• Assisted in developing printed marketing materials.

• Met with client groups to plan and organize assigned meetings and/or events
• Guided clients in preparation of events by interpreting and explaining contract provisions, policies, and procedures
• Coordinated activities with various service contractors for assigned meetings and/or events
• Supervised staff and oversaw all aspects of facility operations related to events
• Kept clients informed as to the status of deadline schedules, including but not limited to floor plan submissions, meeting room set-up specifications, insurance requirements, and other relevant details
• Prepared cost estimates and monitored final billing
• Provided clear, concise, and timely communication of detailed requirements to operational departments
• Served as primary liaison between clients, contracted service providers, and convention center staff
• Monitored in-house events, maintaining close contact with clients and facility staff to ensure successful events
• Followed up on all client requests, concerns, and problems
• Served as manager on duty as required
• Coordinated union labor calls for exhibitor move-in and move-out and production needs.

• Booked and coordinated all corporate and social events with less than 10 overnight rooms
• Contacted new clients and maintained rapport with existing client base
• Prepared customized sales proposals and service contracts
• Negotiated rates and prices
• Analyzed the hotel's demand segments, sources of business for each segment, and managed pricing and rooms inventory to maximize revenues and profits
• Coordinated with internal departments all activities related to booked business
• Maintained documentation of all proposals, quotes, and correspondence related to prospective sales and accounts
• Participated in the local community to develop business.

Special Events Manager

Special Events Assistant

• Worked extensively with community leaders, officials, and non-profit organizations to develop and coordinate over 200 special events per year
• Created and distributed monthly calendar of events to tenants, local media, and nearby businesses
• Developed and distributed press releases for special events
• Conceptualized, developed, and implemented marketing programs to promote special events
• Developed, organized, and maintained a comprehensive email list to promote special events
• Negotiated contracts and obtained licensing for special events
• Solicited and obtained sponsorships which included trade and donations
• Assumed the lead on website development to include cross-marketing with tenants and special events calendar
• Disseminated all event details to the event support staff through event orders and weekly meetings
• Managed event support staff and recruited volunteers to ensure event success.

• Responsible for inventory, revenue, and pricing procedures
• Organized special events in “The Bar” and “Market Square Café”, the hotel's two beverage departments
• Trained new staff on Hilton serving procedures and point of sale system.