JOE MURZYN
IN
Summary
Dynamic enterprise sales and event industry leader with over a decade of experience in building sustainable pipelines, leading high-performing consultative sales teams, and successfully closing complex B2B deals. Currently directing two major public festivals, providing insights into operational, financial, and ticketing challenges faced by event organizers. Experienced in developing new business, building strategic partnerships, and helping event organizers identify technology that improves operations and supports growth.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Director
Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce
11.2024 - Current
- Directed Pierogi Fest and Wickedly Whiting, managing ticketing, sponsors, vendors, security, permitting, marketing, volunteers, and partnerships with municipal agencies and local schools to ensure smooth event execution.
- Lead Pierogi Fest planning and execution for a three-day festival that attracts more than 200,000 attendees, coordinating hundreds of operational details and multiple public- and private-sector stakeholders.
- Build and manage the sponsorship pipeline across Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland, separating renewal opportunities from net-new prospects and developing packages around each partner's business goals.
- Launched a new ticketed Haunted Hayride for Wickedly Whiting, selecting a zero-fee platform and designing timed departures, capacity controls, online checkout, and storefront sales across four event nights.
- Oversaw event financial performance, vendor invoicing, contract negotiations, and reconciliation while leading a two-person staff and large volunteer workforce to meet budgetary goals.
- Evaluated event technology and organizer workflows from buyer's perspective, focusing on ticketing, vendor management, sponsorship fulfillment, communications, and post-event reporting to enhance overall event experience.
Chief Operating Officer
Bakken Books LLC
09.2023 - 10.2024
- Grew wholesale revenue 34% year over year and secured 11 new accounts through targeted outbound prospecting and consultative sales conversations, enhancing market presence.
- Developed direct-to-consumer email campaigns that boosted email marketing revenue 30% year over year, increasing customer engagement.
- Reduced cost of goods 22% by renegotiating incumbent vendor agreements and expanding the supplier base.
- Managed daily operations, vendor relationships, inventory, and growth strategies for wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels, driving operational efficiency and revenue growth.
Senior Sales Manager
Loadsmart
02.2021 - 08.2023
- Established and scaled Account Sales team from four to over 70 representatives, contributing to $40 million in revenue in 2021.
- Delivered 75% year-over-year revenue growth in 2022 through territory planning, pipeline management, sales process development, and team coaching.
- Negotiated and closed long-term customer contracts worth more than $1 million annually, managing complex relationships from initial opportunity through signed agreement.
- Directed hiring, onboarding, sales training, operating procedures, performance goals, and forecasting for rapidly growing commercial team.
Sales Manager
UPS Coyote Logistics
08.2019 - 02.2021
- Managed 33 full-time sales representatives focused on capacity procurement in a fast-paced, competitive market.
- Achieved 15% increase in team profitability and 8% growth in volume year over year while consistently exceeding volume, technology, and gross-margin quotas for four consecutive quarters.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Selling and Sales Management
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN05-2014
Skills
- Partnership Development
- Event Management
- Pipeline Development
- Strategic planning
- Outbound Prospecting
- Consultative Selling
- Stakeholder negotiation
- CRM and Forecasting
- Relationship building
Timeline
Executive Director
Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce
11.2024 - Current
Chief Operating Officer
Bakken Books LLC
09.2023 - 10.2024
Senior Sales Manager
Loadsmart
02.2021 - 08.2023
Sales Manager
UPS Coyote Logistics
08.2019 - 02.2021
Bachelor of Science - Selling and Sales Management
Purdue University