Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Jesse Graves

Sandy Springs,Georgia

Summary


Results-driven event management professional with strong track record of delivering successful large-scale events. Skilled in strategic planning, vendor negotiations, and budget management, consistently ensuring flawless execution. Known for collaborative leadership, adaptability, and relentless focus on achieving targets. Proven ability to inspire and manage cross-functional teams, driving high-impact outcomes in dynamic environments.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Events Manager

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
01.2024 - Current
  • Planning and project management for domestic and international events for multiple complex on-site and off-site convenings and meetings for The Gates Foundation. Partnered with businesses, sports, entertainment, and non-profit organizations to develop strategic communications to grow, define, and promote their brands.
  • Helped team able to meet demanding deadlines, and balance multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
  • Managed and supervise multiple complex convenings that may require AV, food and beverage, off-site dinners, site visits, registration, and travel with attendance ranging from 5-500
  • Advised clients on site selection results and make thoughtful recommendations based on clients’ needs
  • Reviewed and negotiated contracts on behalf of clients, such as hotel room-block contracts, restaurant contracts, and local venue contracts in conjunction with BMGF events team or independently, depending on the size of meeting(s)
  • Managed project documents for larger convenings, such as client meeting documents, contracts for venues, budget templates, BEOs, space plan/venue documents, timelines, and transportation plans
  • Negotiated and establish good relations with vendors to secure needed materials on time, within budget and meeting requested specifications
  • Regularly research and maintained a written resource of local and relevant event industry happenings, new venues, or off-site dinner locations for foundation events
  • Created masterful storytelling and brand experiences that best represent our clients that have a positive societal impact
  • Successfully connected brands to their stakeholders by building trust transparency, developing trust, and brand loyalty
  • 60+ (hpw)

COO Marketing, Public Relations, and Project Management Services

Marc Global Communications
01.2022 - 01.2023
  • Responsible for all business operations for marketing, public relations, and events. Partnered with businesses, sports, entertainment, and non-profit organizations to develop strategic communications to grow, define, and promote their brands.
  • Created masterful storytelling and brand experiences that best represent the clients and have a positive societal impact
  • Successfully connected brands to their stakeholders by building transparency and developing trust & brand loyalty
  • Developed and managed communication services to include public relations, cultural engagement, marketing and crisis management, and campaign strategies that build authentic brand engagement
  • Planned and communicated strategies rooted in research and based on experiences with tactics that deliver results, including but not limited to community relations & outreach, media monitoring, op-ed writing, speech writing, message development, crisis communications, and social media
  • Managed budgets and financial forecasting to ensure fiscal responsibility and maintain profit margins.
  • Facilitated regular leadership meetings to discuss progress on strategic goals, identify opportunities for improvement, and address challenges proactively.
  • Developed high-performing teams through effective hiring, training, and performance management strategies.
  • Negotiated key partnerships with vendors, suppliers, and other stakeholders for improved collaboration and resource allocation.
  • Boosted operational efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing cost-saving measures.

Consultant-Events, Marketing, Project Management

Event Engineers
01.2015 - 01.2022
  • Facilitated extensive event creation/management, experiential marketing, and event architectural programs such as concerts, galas, and conventions on an international and national scale
  • Collaborated with Federal Bureau of Investigation Advancement Team to coordinate key event security measures
  • Implemented global event programs for corporations and supreme court tours, while working with senior level United States government leaders
  • Created high-end experiential marketing events, using a $2.7 million budget to increase brand awareness and brand loyalty for high-profile clients, donors, and organizations.
  • Managed event and marketing metrics and key performance indicators for strategic initiatives
  • Formulated NFL Superbowl women experiential marketing programs
  • Worked with physicians and medical staff to plan and implement trainings on point-of-care ultrasound, lab testing, airway and ventilation management, anesthesia, and analgesia, as well as numerous invasive emergency and organ-specific surgical procedures
  • Ensured each event program/training course was clearly defined with measurable and key performance indicators and objectives that reinforced program goals and company strategic initiatives in education
  • Provided event planning and management to give participants the skills and knowledge to provide care for critically ill victims of trauma, tropical diseases, and toxicological exposure within remote, resource-limited settings
  • 60+ (hpw)

Continuing Medical Education Specialist

Mayo Clinic
01.2019 - 01.2021
  • Coordinated training courses for SOTM Military Medicine, Sports Medicine, Breast Diseases, and 7th Annual Esophageal Diseases course. Managed vendor relationships, contract negotiations, sourcing, and logistics. Ensured department was operating within budget therefore adjusting expenditures according to revenues. Expert project management, training, educational consultant designing and coordinating structure courses for Military Medicine, Sports Medicine, Breast Diseases, & 7th Annual Esophageal Diseases courses and event programs.
  • Provided event planning and management to give participants the skills and knowledge to recognize, assess, resuscitate, stabilize, and hand-off critically ill victims of trauma, tropical diseases, and toxicological exposure within remote, resource-limited settings
  • Facilitated the first official nationwide CAPCE accreditation for event program participants and company
  • Provided ABCGN Accreditation for esophageal diseases
  • Partnered with physicians and medical staff to plan and implement trainings on point-of-care ultrasound, lab testing, airway and ventilation management, anesthesia and analgesia, as well as numerous invasive emergency and organ-specific surgical procedures
  • Negotiated and managed all food and beverage, hotel, décor, vendors, transportation, and contracts for all event programs
  • Managed vendor relationships, contract negotiations, sourcing, and logistics
  • Ensured department worked within 20-million-dollar budget and adjust expenditures according to revenues
  • Planned and coordinated all skills stations using task trainers, cadavers, and live models to demonstrate and provide hands-on training for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
  • 60+ (hpw)

National Event Planner

AFLAC
01.2013 - 01.2015
  • Oversaw the entire planning and execution process of more than 168 prominent local to national events to support sales.
  • Allocated a $3.5 million for all sponsorships, P2P events, national trainings, and exchanges
  • Executed events for all high-ranking staff, including SVPs, RVPs, and BDEs for Aflac Benefits Solutions
  • Reviewed and analyzed ROI & ROE data to improve overall client experiences
  • Created and presented quarterly, monthly, and weekly analytics reports and progress against strategic action plans
  • 60+ (hpw)

Client & Community Relations Event Specialist

PNC Financial Services
01.2012 - 01.2013
  • Oversaw the entire planning and execution process of more than 25 corporate events. Successfully negotiated vendor, travel, venue, catering, production, décor, and entertainment contracts. Supervised all production and staffing personnel.
  • Conducted event management, marketing campaign, entertainment, and production coordination, while managing, coordinating, and producing The PNC Town Hall Meeting
  • Implemented and oversaw all marketing and invitations, including CVENT for ROI analysis
  • Co-chaired and managed Grow Up Great, a $350 multi-year Bilingual Philanthropic Early Childhood Education program
  • Co-chaired the United Way Greater Georgia regional market, responsible for facilitating and launching southeast PNC
  • 60+ (hpw)

Director Special Events

PGA Tour Superstore
01.2008 - 01.2012
  • Supervised all key committees and staffed more than 50 personnel, including the management of all outside PGA Tour golf professionals and instructors, sub-contractors, caterers, production, entertainment, and décor. items from vehicles.
  • Oversaw all aspects of kickoff event, “GFS” initiative
  • Coordinated a fashion show with lines from Nike, Calloway, Adidas, Ping, Mizuno, Titleist, and Foot Joy to enhance visibility and marketing
  • Implemented national, regional, and local marketing campaigns, including digital marketing, content creation, and advertising
  • 60+ (hpw)

CEO/Events, Marketing, Project Management Services

CLASS C-1 PRODUCTIONS
01.2000 - 01.2008
  • Company Overview: USA
  • Led operational activities, including event architecture, creation of experiential marketing concepts, and project management engineering services for various corporations, non-profit organizations, athletes and entertainers, including Anheuser-Busch Inc., Budweiser Bon Voyage Galas, Winter Wonderland Concepts Hard Rock Café, All Star Café, Holiday Inn Corporation, Showtime Productions, Delta Sigma Theta Inc., National Bowling Association, American Airlines, Cox Radio, Reach Media, Wrigley’s Co., City of West Palm Beach, City of Ft. Lauderdale, City of Miami Beach, SONY records, The WORD NETWORK, HBO, Pernod-Ricard USA, Ocean Drive Association, and Wrigley Co.
  • Key Accomplishments & Awards:
  • Built out New Events Division for Fortune 500/100 company including all SOP’s
  • Managed $4.5M Budget and collaborated with senior management to define and implement best practices
  • Served as Events Director & Producer of Jazz festival with 15K attendees and 30 A-list national recording artists
  • Received Aflac Way Program Award for exceptional customer service
  • Four (4) Time recipient PNC Spotlight, Take A Bow & Standing Ovation Awards for exemplary service

Education

Bachelor’s Degree - Communications & Public Relations

Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA
05.1994

Skills

  • Event Planning
  • Excellent communication
  • Venue selection
  • Budgeting and finance
  • Customer service
  • Event marketing
  • Vendor negotiation
  • Team leadership and supervision
  • Project management
  • Vendor coordination
  • Creative direction
  • Brand awareness

Accomplishments

  • Earned "PNC Spotlight" Award in 2012.
  • Earned "PNC Take A Bow" Award in 2012.
  • Earned "Standing Ovation" Award in 2012.
  • Earned "AFLAC Customer Service" Award in 2013.
  • Earned "AFLAC Way" Award in 2014.
  • Planned over 100 events in 2014.
  • Earned "AFLAC Customer Service" Award in 2015.
  • Earned Mayo Clinic 1st "CAPCE Accreditation" Certification in 2019.
  • Earned "White House Training in Protective Medicine" Award in 2019/2020.

Timeline

Senior Events Manager

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
01.2024 - Current

COO Marketing, Public Relations, and Project Management Services

Marc Global Communications
01.2022 - 01.2023

Continuing Medical Education Specialist

Mayo Clinic
01.2019 - 01.2021

Consultant-Events, Marketing, Project Management

Event Engineers
01.2015 - 01.2022

National Event Planner

AFLAC
01.2013 - 01.2015

Client & Community Relations Event Specialist

PNC Financial Services
01.2012 - 01.2013

Director Special Events

PGA Tour Superstore
01.2008 - 01.2012

CEO/Events, Marketing, Project Management Services

CLASS C-1 PRODUCTIONS
01.2000 - 01.2008

Bachelor’s Degree - Communications & Public Relations

Norfolk State University

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