Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Ellen M. Robinson

Denver,CO

Summary

Successful event management entrepreneur and Sales leader with record of accomplishment delivering value and excellence. Results-driven with multi-faceted experience of leading and organizing successful large-scale events aligned with the objectives of the customers. Exceeded sales and revenue targets through innovative strategies and public relations tactics. Proven track record of delivering high-quality services, while adapting to shifting and conflicting demands and priorities in a high-paced, cross-functional environment. Demonstrated excellence in organization, planning, problem solving, decision making, communication, project management and effective management of resources. Excellent interpersonal skills that allow effective working relationships with diverse customers, coworkers, and the external community.

Overview

29
29
years of professional experience

Work History

President

ERH & Associates, Inc.
Denver, CO
01.1996 - Current
  • Founded the company to provide event planning, marketing, and public relations for a wide variety of clients in non-profit, restaurant, and hospitality space
  • Develop strategies and manage all aspects of planning, developing, and delivery of events, with the intent of advancing the client’s company, products, and services, and providing best-in-class experience to all stakeholders involved
  • Collaborate with the leadership teams and business partners to develop marketing and public relations tactics that help engage maximum audience
  • Oversee logistics, marketing & public relations, silent & live auction, celebrity coordination and budgets for the events
  • Key events coordinated successfully include: Global Down Syndrome Foundation Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show 2009/2010: Helped raise over $1.5M by successfully organizing and managing all aspects of the event with 1200 guests, held in honor of Quincy Jones
  • Won the 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2016 ICON Awards in two categories: People's Choice Award-Best Entertainment, Conception & Execution-Be Beautiful Be Yourself Jet Set Fashion Show Best Social Event Production for a Non-Profit Organization Best Decorating Design; Best Invitation – 2016
  • Pinkberry Grand Opening Denver: Largest attended opening in the company
  • One of country's top producing stores that year; Denver Summit of the Eight Media Party: Managed the event with 4000 guests, oversaw reception of national and international press; Chosen & Dearly Loved Foundation: 800 guests- First time event featuring Charles Krauthammer- raised $1M+; National Cancer Prevention Fund: Coordinated over 60 Men's Events and Women & Wine events at the Palm Restaurants & Morton's Steakhouses, benefiting local charities in each city
  • Colorado Community Colleges: Mary Matalin/James Carville event, 1500 people; National Conference of Black Mayors Opening reception, 2000 people; Mask Project Gala-1st Gala-Cherry Creek Shopping Center, 1200 people; SafeHouse Denver, Inc.: A Night @ Cirque du Soleil-1000 people; Eleanor Roosevelt Institute: Luncheon featuring George Will
  • First Annual Mayor's Gala: Benefiting Destination Denver, Woodrow Wilson Center: Event honoring Charlie Gallagher & Hank Brown, Denver Options: Community-wide event with Christopher Reeve, guest speaker, Family Resource Centers: a night with Carmelo Anthony, Palm Restaurant Denver: Re-opening events 2016 after renovation
  • Lyft /Pepsi Center ride share launch 2016, Camp Southern Ground Zac Brown exclusive birthday event 2017: Raised $1 million at this first time event; Diamonds in the Rough Foundation: Coordinated 2018/2019 Charity Golf Tournament & Dinner raising over $500K for three charities
  • Successfully managed several public relations and marketing events for restaurants: Morning Story, 2019; Atelier by Radex, 2017; NYY Steak, 2014; Stoney River Steakhouse & Grill, 2012-2013; Modern Market, 2013; Copeland's of New Orleans, 2012; Smashburger, 2011; Shanahan's Steakhouse 2009-2010; Roy's Restaurant Company, 2000

Director of Health & Wellness

Office of Governor John W. Hickenlooper
01.2013 - 04.2014
  • Coordinated with the Governor to drive state programs and services focused on making Colorado the healthiest state in the nation
  • Interfaced with teams to review and ensure the programs met the emotional, physical, psychological, and safety needs of people
  • Represented the Governor in state and local events
  • Entrusted as the first person to hold this position in the Office of Governor John W
  • Hickenlooper

Director of Sales & Public Relations/Consultant

Palm Restaurant Group
Washington D.C.
07.1996 - 02.2008
  • Led and directed tactical plans and multiple initiatives to support organization-level sales strategies and programs
  • Developed and orchestrated the private dining sales program
  • Served as strategic public relations subject matter expert for stakeholders across the organization
  • Collaborated with business units to develop a communications plan that built reputation in the community
  • Boosted sales by planning and implementing a private dining room program for 28 restaurants
  • Guided the team in private dining sales by designing and implementing a sales training manual
  • Establish a strong sales team by supervising, training, and coaching team members from 1997–2008
  • Successfully grew private dining room sales from $3M to over $28M
  • Coordinated and developed relationships with all local Public Relation Firms, oversaw non-profit charity events held in the local restaurants, and facilitated conferences and meetings held by Palm Restaurant Group
  • Spearheaded the Palm Cookbook project from inception to launch, proactively mitigating issues, tracking milestones, and communicating updates to stakeholders

Catering Sales Manager

Morton’s The Steak House
, CO

Director of Catering, Director of Sales, Sales Manager

Stouffer Renaissance Denver Hotel
Denver, CO

Education

Bachelor of Science - Communication Studies

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Skills

  • Event planning
  • Public relations
  • Marketing strategy
  • Budget management
  • Fundraising coordination
  • Customer engagement
  • Effective communication
  • Negotiation skills
  • Logistics coordination
  • Creative problem solving
  • Vendor sourcing and negotiations
  • Consulting
  • Talent recruitment
  • Industry partnership development
  • Remote team management
  • Contract negotiation
  • Sales and marketing

Accomplishments

  • Proven track record of organizing and executing successful medium and large-sized complex events within estimated budgets and timelines, overseeing comprehensive end-to-end coordination and management.
  • Strong experience directing, coordinating, training, and supervising Sales Managers in all sales activities including maintenance of existing accounts and solicitation of new business to promote group restaurant sales and maximize profits.
  • Won the 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2016 ICON Awards in two categories: People's Choice Award-Best Entertainment, Conception & Execution-Be Beautiful Be Yourself Jet Set Fashion Show Best Social Event Production for a Non-Profit Organization Best Decorating Design; Best Invitation – 2016
  • Highly developed interpersonal communication skills including political acumen and social perceptiveness. Ability to complete large volumes of diverse tasks efficiently.
  • Skilled at collaborating and identifying featured guests for events. Coordinated with high profile political figures and celebrities, ensured attendance, and helped raise multi-million dollar funds through such events.

Timeline

Director of Health & Wellness

Office of Governor John W. Hickenlooper
01.2013 - 04.2014

Director of Sales & Public Relations/Consultant

Palm Restaurant Group
07.1996 - 02.2008

President

ERH & Associates, Inc.
01.1996 - Current

Catering Sales Manager

Morton’s The Steak House

Director of Catering, Director of Sales, Sales Manager

Stouffer Renaissance Denver Hotel

Bachelor of Science - Communication Studies

Northwestern University
Ellen M. Robinson