MS Word
Jordan O’Quinn
DeBary,FL
Summary
High-performing Event Manager with extensive portfolio of international and domestic project accomplishments spanning 9 years. Outgoing, hands-on professional bringing valuable relationship building and retention skills, which amassed diversified network of service providers, ensuring optimal quality and results for successful client events.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Event Manager and Catering Specialist
Current Cafe And Lounge/Oceanside Surf Co.
02.2022 - Current
- Helped chefs prepare and present food to event guests with strong attention to detail and presentation expertise.
- Arranged linens and table settings according to seating plan and event theme.
- Maintained flexible work schedule to meet event needs.
- Provided friendly, courteous service to create memorable moments for guests.
- Created catering menu based upon client specifications, event type, dietary needs and budget.
- In charge of all communication for events and catering with clients.
- Creates vision boards for both clients and company to bring new ideas and concepts.
- Plan events with clients one on one to either bring their ideas to life or create a event with them.
- Providing staff with fail proof plans of execution for all events and catering projects.
- In charge of creating BEOs for all events and catering projects.
Business Owner/Operator
Hope Creations LLC
07.2021 - Current
- Put together realistic budgets based upon costs and fees for successfully operating business.
- Devised and deployed sales and marketing tactics to drive strategic growth and support achievement of revenue goals.
- Spearheaded business-related aims to meet tactical planning initiatives.
- Served as primary point-of-contact with suppliers and contractors to achieve inventory expectations.
- Created and monitored promotional approaches to increase sales and profit levels.
- Capitalized on social media platforms to increase market awareness.
- Evaluated suppliers to maintain cost controls and improve operations.
- Worked with customers to understand needs and provide excellent service.
- Designed catering menus containing ethnic food options to meet needs of diverse customer base.
- Set up and disassembled food service stations, equipment and furniture per contract specifications.
- Created numerous appetizer, entree and dessert options to enable creation of customized menus.
- Established working relationships with clients by organizing various events.
- Coordinated with participating vendors during event planning.
- Performed event coordination for larger parties and gatherings.
Office Manager/Lead Event Specialist
Tavolo Rental/Tavolo Home
01.2020 - 07.2020
- Communicated with catering, lighting and sound companies to obtain price quotes.
- Hired, trained and supervised volunteers and support staff required for events.
- Interviewed clients to understand event scopes of work, establish budgets and determine timelines for venue selection, guest list finalization and rehearsal, ceremonies and receptions.
- Coordinated schedules and timelines for events.
- Coordinated florists, photographers and musicians during for events.
- Managed event logistics and operations.
- Inspected event facilities to confirm conformance to customer requirements.
- Established workflow processes, monitored daily productivity and implemented modifications to improve overall performance of personnel.
- Maintained computer and physical filing systems.
- Oversaw work processes and performed quality control tasks to increase revenue and reduce production times.
- Delivered performance reviews, recommending additional training or advancements.
- Evaluated employee records and productivity and submitted evaluation reports.
- Compared vendor prices and negotiated for optimal savings.
- Maintained payroll information by calculating, collecting and entering data.
- Initiated direct deposits and prepared manual checks 20+ employees.
- Submitted requests and changes into scheduling system and created accurate customer service schedules.
- In charge of all small décor, its organization in and out of the warehouse.
- Oversaw all client relations.
Bartender/Beverage Cart/Assistant Events Manager
Victory Ranch
06.2019 - 01.2020
- Hired and cross-trained staff members for various event-specific functions and assessed employees' understanding of associated processes and procedures.
- Worked closely with couples to meet wedding goals, maintain deadlines and resolve complaints or service issues.
- Maintained and built comprehensive database of industry contacts, vendors and venues.
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
- Crafted special drink and cocktail menu items for seasonal offerings.
- Developed new signature cocktails to support bar marketing brand and increase profits.
- Maintained secure cash drawers.
- Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers and taking inventory.
- Mentored team members and coached on procedures and productivity strategies.
- Prepared hot coffee and tea according to customer requests.
- Greeted guests and inquired into beverage choices.
- Responded to customer questions and suggestions regarding services and assisted with event details and clean-up before and after serving times.
- Checked expiration dates on food and beverage products in beverage cart storage area and rotated and organized products.
Restaurant Bar Manager
Midway Mercantile
05.2018 - 11.2018
- Took customer orders and capitalized on opportunities to sell special beverage and food options.
- Crafted special drink and cocktail menu items for seasonal offerings.
- Strategized plans to increase bar revenue through innovative promotional concepts, specialty drinks and customer-focused events.
- Orchestrated social functions, formal engagements and business meetings, resulting in significant increase in overall sales.
- Maked drinks for 100+ seat restaurant.
- In charge of ordering of all alcohol and bar ingredients.
- In charge of all large parties in private dining room.
- Implemented drink prep procedures, significantly reducing wasted stock.
- Consulted with managers to organize special events and promotions.
- Checked ID cards and verified bar guests were of legal age.
Lead Bartender/Server Shift Leader
Montage International
07.2017 - 04.2018
- Assigned work tasks and coordinated activities of dining room personnel to provide prompt and successful service to patrons.
- Addressed and resolved customer conflicts with managed waitstaff, verifying satisfactory outcomes for involved parties.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to coordinate restaurant goals such as upselling certain items, addressing product availability issues and other communication concerns.
- Handled table service and other dining room tasks to address shortfalls due to unexpected absences or unusual service volumes.
- Provided front-of-house manager with detailed customer metrics to inform stock ordering, reducing food waste and increasing profits.
- Learned and utilized extensive bar and wine knowledge to enhance guest dining experiences.
- Rolled silverware, set up tables and polished glassware and silverware.
- Closed out cash register and prepared cashier report at close of business.
- Took care of any where from 30 to 300+ guest per shift
Assistant/Event Coordinator/Food Preparation/Bartender
Ross Hammock Ranch
08.2012 - 07.2017
- Developed decor, theme and ambiance for events to satisfy client's vision and budget.
- Arranged transportation reservations, hotel room blocks and beverage and food flat fees for future events.
- Attracted new clients and maintained pre-existing clients through excellent word-of-mouth marketing.
- Coordinated with over vendors and event contributors, caterers and transportation services.
- Participated in strategic planning to execute in best interests of plan goals.
- Acquired product and service knowledge to provide solutions to customers.
- Assisted chef with planning easy but elegant appetizers to spark customer interest.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
- Transitioned between breakfast and lunch service.
- Managed kitchen staff to supervise preparation of foods and explain steps for readying specialty items.
- Handled and stored food to eliminate illness and prevent cross-contamination.
- Used culinary and cutlery tools to prepare foods for cooking or cold dish presentations.
- Optimized organizational processes by effectively managing crew schedules while adhering to contractual restrictions.
- Maintained payroll information by calculating, collecting and entering data.
- Initiated direct deposits and prepared manual checks for 20 employees.
Bar Manager/Assistant Event Coordinator
Concord Hospitality
09.2015 - 06.2017
- Arranged transportation reservations, hotel room blocks and beverage and food flat fees for future events.
- Developed decor, theme and ambiance for events to satisfy client's vision and budget.
- Attracted new clients and maintained pre-existing clients through excellent word-of-mouth marketing.
- Organized both coorperate and personal events from conception to completion, arranged program schedules and managed on-site logistics.
- Acquired contracts and agreements to finalize negotiations and obtain approval signatures.
- Managed event logistics and operations.
- Worked closely with couples to meet wedding goals, maintain deadlines and resolve complaints or service issues.
- Inspected event facilities to confirm conformance to customer requirements.
- Took customer orders and capitalized on opportunities to sell special beverage and food options.
- Consulted with managers to organize special events and promotions.
- Crafted special drink and cocktail menu items for seasonal offerings.
- Reduced labor costs by improving employee schedules and workflows to capitalize on individual strengths and better meet forecasted customer demands.
- Assisted servers with specialty drinks orders by preparing on-demand items without delay.
- Guaranteed optimal beverage stock by assessing inventory and collaborating with managers for corrective action planning to limit expenses.
- Handled $900 cash on daily basis, which built trustworthiness and loyalty with management
- Worked in a 150+ room hotel.
- Prepares and helps execute afternoon/evening banquets of 50-200 guests.
- • In charge of all staff related outings and events approximately one a month
Shot Server/Beer Tub/Bartender
Stagger Inn
12.2014 - 08.2015
- •Earned revenue ranging from $500-$2000 in sales on a daily basis
- Prepared, opened, and served hundreds of drinks a day
- Worked for and with a company that operated 20+ other Bars
- Learned products inside and out to give best possible demonstrations and answer consumer questions.
- Analyzed consumer usage patterns to identify trends and target key demographics.
- Set up and broke down promotional booths and tents and talked to potential customers for successful promotional events.
- Successfully maintained clean, valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation.
- Used Microsoft Word and other software tools to create documents and other communications.
- Learned new skills and applied to daily tasks to improve efficiency and productivity.
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
Hostess/Server
Hooters
08.2014 - 02.2015
- Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers.
- Arranged and prepared tables for customers to offer memorable experiences to guests and foster repeat business.
- Used slow periods to restock supplies, ice, trays and delivery bags.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Increased sales significantly by upselling higher-end products to customers.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills and handle complimentary items.
- Checked identification for minimum age for sale of alcoholic beverages.
- Noted special patron requests and followed up with kitchen to confirm delivery.
- Assigned patrons to tables suitable for needs and restaurant section rotation.
- Took reservations and to-go orders by phone, answered customer questions and informed of accurate wait times.
- Worked with front of house staff to move tables and adjust seating to accommodate groups with special requests.
- Answered customer questions about hours, seating and menu information.
- Monitored front entrance for new guests while assisting servers by taking and delivering drink orders.
- Answered customer questions about products and services, helped locate merchandise and promoted key items.
- Kept track of 500+ items of stock in the gift shop
- Participated in fight night events that brought 700+ people in the door
- Received Servsafe with this company
Accountant/Server/Event Coordinator/Resort Manager
Seagrass Waterfront And Resort
01.2014 - 07.2014
- Participated in financial activities such as setting room rates, establishing budgets and allocating funds to departments.
- Booked large groups for weddings, conferences and other events, providing best available room rates.
- Hired and trained new employees, demonstrating best methods for serving clients and guests.
- Gathered financial information, prepared documents and closed books.
- Created budgets and forecasts for management group to meet regular accounting deadlines.
- Documented cash, credit, fixed assets, accrued expenses and line of credit transactions.
- Submitted reports on payroll activities.
- Developed post-event reports to determine effectiveness of each event.
- Brainstormed and implemented creative event concepts and themes.
- Delivered in-depth training to workers in food preparation and customer-facing roles to promote strong team performance.
- Kept restaurant compliant with all federal, state and local hygiene and food safety regulations.
- Applied knowledge of previous supply needs and forecasted business levels to estimate required supplies.
- Kept books for one restaurant and one resort
- In charge of all food and beverage ordering and contracts
- Head server at a 300+ seat restaurant
- Assisted in operation of a 30+ cabin resort
- Facilitated 2+ events weekly from bands to holiday events
Education
High School Diploma -
Seven Rivers
08.2010 - 04.2014
Associate of Arts - Hospitality
Valencia College
Orlando, FL 08.2014 - 04.2015
Bachelor of Science - Hospitality - Event Management
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL 05.2015 - 04.2017
Skills
Event sales
Promotional advertising
Cross-functional teams leadership
Vendor and contract negotiations
Project oversight
Transportation and logistics planning
Budget development
Project Management
Client meetings
Team mentorship
Vendor relationship management
New Business Development
Volunteer Management
Meeting planning
Scheduling
Business administration
Social media campaigns
Promotional planning
Sales tracking
Client communication
Strategic planning
Public and Media Relations
Budgeting
Clear oral/written communication
Payroll and budgeting
Travel coordination
Expense reporting
Bookkeeping
MS Office
Flexible and Adaptable
Multitasking Abilities
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Teambuilding
Self-Motivated
Good Telephone Etiquette
Software
MS Excel
Google Doc
Teams
Google Drive
Google Sheets
MS PowerPoint
Timeline
Event Manager and Catering Specialist
Current Cafe And Lounge/Oceanside Surf Co.
02.2022 - Current
Business Owner/Operator
Hope Creations LLC
07.2021 - Current
Office Manager/Lead Event Specialist
Tavolo Rental/Tavolo Home
01.2020 - 07.2020
Bartender/Beverage Cart/Assistant Events Manager
Victory Ranch
06.2019 - 01.2020
Restaurant Bar Manager
Midway Mercantile
05.2018 - 11.2018
Lead Bartender/Server Shift Leader
Montage International
07.2017 - 04.2018
Bar Manager/Assistant Event Coordinator
Concord Hospitality
09.2015 - 06.2017
Bachelor of Science - Hospitality - Event Management
University of Central Florida
05.2015 - 04.2017
Shot Server/Beer Tub/Bartender
Stagger Inn
12.2014 - 08.2015
Hostess/Server
Hooters
08.2014 - 02.2015
Associate of Arts - Hospitality
Valencia College
08.2014 - 04.2015
Accountant/Server/Event Coordinator/Resort Manager
Seagrass Waterfront And Resort
01.2014 - 07.2014
Assistant/Event Coordinator/Food Preparation/Bartender
Ross Hammock Ranch
08.2012 - 07.2017
High School Diploma -
Seven Rivers
08.2010 - 04.2014