Jessica Connolly

Core areas of responsibility included planning and executing strategy for the events department while identifying and aligning event priorities with overall marketing strategy. Directed end-to-end planning and execution of incentive programs, executive meetings, marketing, sales conferences, and industry events. Provided ongoing guidance and supervised daily engagement and event-focused contributions of a proficient team of four members. Accountable for adeptly managing and sustaining an allocated event budget exceeding $1 million.

• Generated $500k in revenue by leading creation of Hubilo's first activation at Cannes Lions festival in 2022.
• Supported events team in generating and securing approx. $126K in 2022 with over 22K leads out of 186.
• Produced $367K in revenue with $92K+ in won deals by leading the creation of MIX, Hubilo's first-ever hybrid event) in 2023 with 5K+ registrations across US, APAC, and EMEA.
• Provided strategic direction and directed assigned team in developing new and scalable processes for events from ground up.
• Added value to industry by translating market trends into engaging topics and themes for a 12-month educational program.
• Facilitated event success by working collaboratively with c-suites and recommending creative ideas pertaining to VIP events, marketing campaigns, branding initiatives, and executive-level special projects.
• Led the design and deployment of event planner toolkit using tools such as agenda builder, run of show, budget, speaker management, and timeline, as well as developed virtual events playbook.
• Leveraged expertise to design and develop for the first time in the organization's history new processes and timelines for webinars, virtual events, and hybrid events in coordination with content, product team, design and project management teams; the effort led to putting working documents in place for the use of future events.
• Won marketing mavens award and CEO Limitless award for exceptional performance.

Led operations planning, event strategy, and leadership support to highly-qualified teams and managed event finances and reporting by capitalizing on past leadership experience and expertise. Conducted team meetings and led discussions to execute events including annual flagship event SDL Connect including content design, action items tracking, and agenda development. Made recommendations for future improvements by providing insights on goal attainment, attendee feedback, and event performance.

• Drove significant improvements within future events by analyzing past and recently executed events.
• Maintained complex third-party vendor relations involving contract negotiation and program venue management.
• Assigned to manage annual event budget of up to $2M; transitioned events from planning stage to successful execution/delivery by creating global event operations plan for security, VIP program, transportation, space allocation, and contingency planning.
• Administered yearly global budget up to $5M; identified and assessed highly strategic and visible programs and events designed in line with organization's brand and designated demand goals with senior leadership.
• Maximized yearly event participation by at least 12% and up to 20% year after year for each year at SDL.

Directed multifaceted project activities including venue selection and acquisition, agenda development, event marketing, budgeting, event staffing, event-follow up, and vendor management. Supervised global event planning and execution efforts comprising large hosted events, training seminars, industry trade shows, roadshows, and small, high-touch executive events. Managed and maintained event website with latest marketing copy. Oversaw project management, event budget management, pre-event meeting planning, post-event reporting, and heavy event calendar management.

• Monitored key functions of multi-touch marketing campaigns such as web development, social media marketing, email marketing, print advertising, and direct outreach to engage targeted audiences, sponsors, and speakers.
• Translated business goals and targets into strategic event marketing efforts in coordination with sales, PR, marketing, product teams, and senior leadership.
• Managed administrative logistics of events planning, event booking, and event promotions.
• Fulfilled contractual obligations for rehearsal and day of event coordination.