KAREN ELYSE
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President, Partnership Activation
MAJOR LEAGUE PICKLEBALL (MLP)
11.2022 - 10.2024
- Recruited to join the fastest growing sport in the US as one of the first three employees hired to run operations and logistics, and then promoted to VP to oversee the $5M in revenue and sponsor activations.
- Played a key role in increasing sponsorships from 4 to 22 partners (700% growth in twelve months) and overseeing $5M in sponsorship assets to national and global brands.
- Negotiated and executed renewal contracts with sponsors; upsold current sponsors by creating additional branding assets that successfully drove incremental revenue.
- Managed and executed 22 sponsor contractual assets, including on-site activations, digital content, and broadcast elements.
- Handled day-to-day communications with sponsors’ C-level executives to ensure client fulfillment and client satisfaction.
- Established the league’s first database to track sponsorship details, including key decision-makers’ contract terms, assets, budgets, deliverables, timeline, staff assignments.
- Served as sales development arm from league office to aid 22 MLP teams with sponsorship sales process and contract fulfillment.
- Created the league’s first-ever and initial merchandise strategy and revenue stream that generated and surpassed revenue goals.
- Designed the merchandise, selected and managed vendors, assigned pricing, and oversaw department budget.
- First MLP executive to generate revenue on-site at events by selling branded league merchandise.
- Served as mentor to young professionals; handled onboarding and continued oversight of Sponsorship employee growth and advancement.
- Initially handled league event communication with team owners and investors across 24 teams (now 22 teams).
- Suggested and recommended company-wide procedures and processes to encourage cross collaboration and communication between leagues/teams and within departments at the league office.
- Managed food and beverage menus, operations, and logistics on-site.
Director of Events
MAJOR LEAGUE PICKLEBALL (MLP)
04.2022 - 11.2022
- Received Unsung Hero Award from Major League Pickleball (MLP) Commissioner.
- Executed and managed all logistics and operations for the June 2022 pickleball tournament.
- Manage sponsor activations for brands including Sketchers, Ora Organic, ProXR Pickleball, Knockaround, and DUPR.
- Developed a five-day food & beverage hospitality strategy for VIPs, public concessions, athletes, and staff.
- Created the first-ever credential program for the league.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
K EVENTS GROUP LLC
01.2012 - Current
- Company Overview: A full-service sports marketing and events company that specializes in turnkey event productions, sponsorship activation programs, and celebrity management.
- Created a national agency by securing new B2B and B2C business, servicing clients with excellence, and executing flawless events.
- Scope of work includes hospitality programs, sponsorship activation programming, travel management, food and beverage, logistics and operations, celebrity management at award shows, galas, fundraisers, auctions, and more.
- Recognized by industry leaders as an agency leader with a stellar reputation, event expertise, and recurring clients.
- Ideate and execute the client’s event strategy on budget or under budget.
- Led account management by developing strong relationships with C-suite executives, venues, vendors, and staff.
- Handle post-event presentations that illustrate ROI to client leaders.
- A full-service sports marketing and events company that specializes in turnkey event productions, sponsorship activation programs, and celebrity management.
- Client/Project Highlights
- 2015 – 2026 | Westminster Kennel Dog Show – Handled sponsor activations, merchandising, logistics, and in-arena event production.
- 2012 - 2022 | Golf Digest Hot List – Managed travel management, logistics, and menu planning.
- 2017 | Clio Awards – Served as Director of Events & Operations (managed Global Travel Program).
- 2015 | American Music Awards – Production Associate - Celebrity management.
- 2011-2018 | Eaton – Title Sponsor of PGA TOUR event @ The Greenbrier Golf & Tennis Classic – Served as the Executive Producer of partnership and represented Eaton with PGA Tour management; executed client entertainment programs for 500+ C-level guests, managed day to day food & beverage, managed invites; and hosted special guests at Eaton’s hospitality tent.
Executive Director, Events and Sports Marketing
CONDÉ NAST PUBLICATIONS - Golf Digest, Golf World & Golf for Women
New York, NY
02.2002 - 11.2011
- Sole woman executive directing sports marketing efforts, advertiser added value programs, and hospitality programs.
- Developed client entertainment programs and event marketing strategies for three leading Condé Nast magazines.
- Successfully executed 100+ marketing programs annually, including VIP trips, tournament sponsorships, advertiser added value & merchandise programs, movie premieres, sales meetings & corporate events.
- Expertly negotiated magazines’ tournament contracts with the PGA TOUR by fully leveraging marketing benefits.
- Successfully managed the annual $2 M+ Sports Marketing budget over nine years.
- Spearheaded a new revenue stream by successfully upselling event management services to advertisers.
Event and Promotions Manager
MILLER SPORTS GROUP - TENNIS MAGAZINE, SAILING & CRUISING WORLD
New York, NY
12.1999 - 02.2002
- Managed and executed 50+ events and promotions annually for magazines and their advertisers’ added value programs.
- Negotiated, managed, and executed TENNIS Magazine sponsorships with ATP, WTA, Senior Tour tournaments, and various sports entities.
- Responsible for successfully developing and managing relationships with industry organizations to establish added value marketing programs that salespeople package with advertising; programs successfully generated incremental advertising revenue.
Account Director: FedEx and IBM Accounts
VELOCITY SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Westport, CT
11.1998 - 12.1999
- Company Overview: (now MKTG / dentsu)
- Led Client Hospitality & Entertainment Programs for FedEx and IBM in sports.
- Served as the day-to-day account lead for both clients.
- Planned, implemented, and executed Client Hospitality/Entertainment programs for IBM and FedEx at national and international sporting events in conjunction with USTA, NFL, NHL, PGA, LPGA, and CART.
- Responsible for overseeing and maintaining program budgets of $35K - $1.5M.
- Researched and secured event venues, sporting venues, accommodations, caterers, transportation providers, and on-site staffing needs and celebrity appearances.
- Handled all contract negotiations with the vendors, suppliers, and staffing providers.
- Produced documents measuring programs’ success; tracked ROI via client surveys; wrote post-sponsorship report for client.
- (now MKTG / dentsu)
Logistics Project Manager
WORLD GOLF VILLAGE FOUNDATION
St. Augustine, FL
02.1998 - 05.1998
- Managed and developed registration, transportation, and hotel accommodations process for 1600+ invited VIPs.
- Developed and managed food and beverage service and venue for a 2,500-person event.
- Created food and beverage service and venue set-up for 250 media and production representatives, 3 meals a day for 10 days.
- Secured and managed 3 local restaurants as event venues for the Grand Opening Reception that hosted 2,500 invited VIPs.
Account Executive & Sponsor Hospitality Manager
PILOT PEN INTERNATIONAL TENNIS TOURNAMENT
New Haven, CT
01.1996 - 09.1998
- Responsible for securing $250K in sponsorship revenue.
- Negotiated and created sales proposals with added value for prospective sponsors.
- Created and executed food & beverage service, golf outings, and tennis clinics for 1,500+ sponsors and VIP/celebrities over 14 days.
- Managed 50+ hospitality volunteers during tournament week; Supervised four employees.
Loaned Consultant / Sponsor Services Director and Hospitality Manager
PHOENIX ATP TOUR WORLD DOUBLES
Hartford, CT
11.1996 - 11.1998
- Company Overview: Gold & Partners
- Managed all correspondence distributed to 200+ sponsors.
- Executed food & beverage services for 1,000+ sponsors and VIP/celebrities over 7 days.
- Planned and implemented receptions for more than 300 sponsors and VIPs.
- Managed schedules for eight celebrities and coordinated their appearances at the event.
- Gold & Partners
Hospitality Coordinator
U.S OPEN
Flushing Meadows, NY
09.1996 - 09.1998
- Managed seven days of hotel food & beverage functions for 100+ guests (1998 only).
- Handled transportation for 50+ high-level executives from Fortune 500 companies.
Hospitality Manager
1996 ATLANTA CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC GAMES
Atlanta, GA
07.1996 - 08.1996
- Executed daily transportation to venues for 4,000 Kodak guests.
- Managed and scheduled staff of 40 responsible for escorting clients and guests.
Special Events Manager
1995 SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
New Haven, CT
10.1993 - 08.1995
- Coordinated sponsor hospitality services for 1,500+ honored guests from the worlds of arts & entertainment, education, religion, athletics, government, politics, and business; Planned and supervised 15 catered receptions in a seven-day window.
- Coordinated activities for over 7,000 athletes in a seven-day window.
- Staffed and supervised event committees with 400+ volunteers: led guest hospitality, receptions, speaker’s bureau; athlete activities.
Timeline
Vice President, Partnership Activation
MAJOR LEAGUE PICKLEBALL (MLP)
11.2022 - 10.2024
Director of Events
MAJOR LEAGUE PICKLEBALL (MLP)
04.2022 - 11.2022
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
K EVENTS GROUP LLC
01.2012 - Current
Executive Director, Events and Sports Marketing
CONDÉ NAST PUBLICATIONS - Golf Digest, Golf World & Golf for Women
02.2002 - 11.2011
Event and Promotions Manager
MILLER SPORTS GROUP - TENNIS MAGAZINE, SAILING & CRUISING WORLD
12.1999 - 02.2002
Account Director: FedEx and IBM Accounts
VELOCITY SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
11.1998 - 12.1999
Logistics Project Manager
WORLD GOLF VILLAGE FOUNDATION
02.1998 - 05.1998
Loaned Consultant / Sponsor Services Director and Hospitality Manager
PHOENIX ATP TOUR WORLD DOUBLES
11.1996 - 11.1998
Hospitality Coordinator
U.S OPEN
09.1996 - 09.1998
Hospitality Manager
1996 ATLANTA CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC GAMES
07.1996 - 08.1996
Account Executive & Sponsor Hospitality Manager
PILOT PEN INTERNATIONAL TENNIS TOURNAMENT
01.1996 - 09.1998
Special Events Manager
1995 SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
10.1993 - 08.1995
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