Justin Keele
Galveston ,TX
Summary
Results-driven Event Planning Professional with over 5 years of experience in organizing business conventions, weddings, and social events. Specializes in enhancing client brand visibility and attendee satisfaction through strategic planning, budgeting, and vendor management. Proven skills in logistics, venue selection, and catering ensure seamless event execution. Strong communicator with a talent for fostering collaborative client relationships and managing multiple projects efficiently.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Wedding coordinator/ caterer/Partial Owner
Occassions by Roderick Stutes
Lake Charles, Louisiana
04.2015 - Current
- Planning and executing events
- Oversaw project timelines and deliverables, ensuring successful completion of events.
- Developed and adhered to detailed timelines, ensuring seamless execution of ceremony and reception.
- Worked closely with clients to develop personalized wedding plan that fit within budget.
- Collaborated with bridal couple to achieve expectations and vision for wedding.
- Oversaw setup and breakdown of wedding decorations and supplies.
- Completed final reviews of ceremony and banquet area setups to resolve last-minute issues.
- Sourced and engaged vendors to ensure quality services
- Established and managed communications with vendors, confirming service and supply delivery.
- Coordinated with vendors in securing necessary supplies and services for wedding.
- Assisted with vendor contracts, negotiating rates and terms with wedding suppliers.
- Negotiated contracts with venues, vendors and suppliers to obtain best rates and services.
- Facilitated communication among wedding venues, clients, and vendors, enhancing collaboration for successful event planning.
- Scheduled appointments with potential clients to discuss wedding plans.
- Organized logistics and prioritized tasks for small to large-scale weddings.
- Helped bridal couple select wedding decorations and floral arrangements, menus and music.
- Drafted wedding contracts and other documentation for review with clients and to obtain signatures.
- Planned and created centerpieces, bouquets and floral arrangements for decorating wedding venues.
- Supervised personnel and directed in wedding task administration and completion.
- Trained and supervised event staff to complete tasks on time.
- Created and managed online presence to reach a larger audience of clientele.
- Managed administrative logistics of events planning, event booking, and event promotions.
- Created and managed online presence to reach a larger audience of clientele.
- Developed creative themes for events and created related activities to engage attendees.
- Monitored and controlled event expenditures to meet budgets.
- Created detailed timelines and budgets for events to meet all deadlines.
- Implemented contingency plans to address last-minute changes or unforeseen events.
- Analyzed event costs to identify areas of improvement and cost savings.
- Fulfilled contractual obligations for rehearsal and day of event coordination.
- Produced concept plans for high-profile corporate meetings and events.
- Coordinated travel and accommodations for event attendees.
- Coordinated transportation and parking arrangements for guests and vendors.
- Researched and identified new vendors and suppliers to obtain competitive pricing.
- Supported senior leadership by developing status reports on activities related to planning, scheduling, cancellation, inquiries, resourcing, risk mitigation, and proposal development for various events.
- Developed detailed event reports, documenting all aspects of each event.
- Oversaw event registration process by collecting and tracking attendee information.
- Developed and distributed event surveys to gather feedback and assess event success.
- Collect and deposit money into accounts, disburse funds from cash accounts to pay bills or invoices, keep records of collections and disbursements, and ensure accounts are balanced
- Perform payroll functions, such as maintaining timekeeping information and processing and submitting payroll.
- Handled customer service inquiries and complaints and immediately resolved issues to guest satisfaction.
- Developed and distributed event surveys to gather feedback and assess event success.
Lead Sales Coordinator
Macy’s
Austin, TX
02.2022 - 08.2023
- Exceeded sales goals through coordination of scheduling, hiring, and training support with general manager at fine jewelry training location in Austin, Texas.
- Coordinated sales orders and customer requests to streamline daily operations.
- Drove sales of company products and services by meeting with customers using a strategic and organized approach.
- Developed customized sales techniques to successfully sell and upsell services to new and existing clients.
- Negotiated deals and handled complaints or objections.
- Coordinated sales orders and customer requests for smooth daily operations.
- Prepared monthly reports on sales activities and key metrics to provide insights for management review.
- Scheduled meetings, calls, and follow-ups with clients and internal staff.
- Prepared quotes, proposals, and sales documents using standard office systems.
- Communicated order updates and service details to customers and team members.
- Prepared monthly reports on sales activities, revenue, expenses, and other key metrics.
- Tracked inventory needs and supported product availability for sales activities.
- Performed follow-up calls with customers after each sale was completed.
- Maintained an up-to-date database of prospective clients and their contact information.
- Coordinated and finalized sales proposals to complete purchases.
- Implemented processes to enhance accuracy of data entry in customer relationship management system.
- Processed orders received from customers within specified timelines.
- Collaborated with internal teams such as marketing, finance and operations departments in order to ensure successful execution of projects from start to finish.
- Analyzed customer feedback surveys to determine areas where improvements could be made in order to increase satisfaction levels.
- Developed and implemented processes to ensure accurate data entry into the customer relationship management system.
- Maintained accurate records of sales activity and generated reports for management review.
- Drove sales of company products and services by meeting with customers using a strategic and organized approach.
- Maintained a well-stocked and organized sales floor with the latest merchandise to drive sustained sales revenue.
- Replenished and arranged merchandise on sales floor to enhance display. to maintain appearance.
- Reset store displays for seasonal promotions and special events. for special events and seasonal merchandise changes.
- Recognized security risks to properly handle situations.
- Increased profitability and revenue by identifying customer needs and determining appropriate offerings.
- Recruited, hired and trained new hires to optimize profitability.
- Conferred with management to offer feedback on operations and promotions based on customer preferences and purchasing habits.
- Reduced process lags by training employees on best practices and protocols.
General Manager
Wendys
, LA
06.2005 - 02.2022
- Maintain QSR standards and ensure that Wendy's brand and assets are well protected
- Develop and implement strategies for revenue and profit growth
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets, and controlled expenses to ensure financial stability and support long-term growth.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue and effectively targeting new markets.
- Implemented operational strategies that enhanced customer and employee loyalty.
- Analyzed market trends and competitor activities to create competitive advantages.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
- Built a winning team that achieved a low turnover rate through effective leadership and development.
- Maintained a .75 percent inventory, by developing a winning team
- Monitored daily cash discrepancies, inventory shrinkage and drive-off.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Develop and teach team members to ensure that they are able to maintain the positive dining experience of customers
- Trained new employees on proper protocols and customer service standards.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop innovative solutions.
- Provided thoughtful guidance to personnel in navigating and resolving snags in productivity.
- Mitigated business risks by working closely with staff members and assessing performance.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue and effectively targeting new markets.
- Mitigated business risks by working closely with staff members and assessing performance.
Owner/operator
Jump Dat Empires
06.2011 - 04.2016
- Coordinated with customers for delivery and set up of inflatable water-slide and bounce houses
- Managed staffing levels to align with customer demand, optimizing service delivery during peak times
- Collaborated with local schools to organize and facilitate school events, enhancing community engagement
- Provided donations to enhance local event success
- Prepare and maintain time or payroll reports, as well as details of personnel actions, such as performance evaluations, hires, promotions, or disciplinary actions
- Recruit, hire, or discharge workers.
Store Manager
At&t
01.2006 - 03.2009
- Provide customer service by greeting and assisting customers, and responding to customer inquiries and complaints
- Direct and supervise employees engaged in sales, inventory-taking, reconciling cash receipts, or in performing services for customers
- Monitor sales activities to ensure that customers receive satisfactory service and quality goods
- Instruct staff on how to handle difficult and complicated sales
- Formulate pricing policies for merchandise, according to profitability requirements
- Establish credit policies and operating procedures
- Inventory stock and reorder when inventory drops to a specified level
- Examine merchandise to ensure that it is correctly priced and displayed and that it functions as advertised.
Education
Blue Cliff College
Alexandria, LASkills
- Event Coordination
- Project management
- Vendor Negotiations
- Financial oversight
- Business operations management
- Schedule Creation
- Team leadership
- Team management
- Planning Schedules
- Vendor Relations
- Business analytics
- Strategic business management
- Executive communication
- Customer support
- Client loyalty
- Creativity and Adaptability
Timeline
Lead Sales Coordinator
Macy’s
02.2022 - 08.2023
Wedding coordinator/ caterer/Partial Owner
Occassions by Roderick Stutes
04.2015 - Current
Owner/operator
Jump Dat Empires
06.2011 - 04.2016
Store Manager
At&t
01.2006 - 03.2009
General Manager
Wendys
06.2005 - 02.2022
Blue Cliff College