Karen Howe, CEM
Greater Chicagoland Area,IL
Summary
Driven, insightful Manager providing leadership and strategic direction in all aspects of event planning and strategic partnership. Full understanding strategy, relationship-building, further development with existing clients and expansion with new pipeline prospects, business development, marketing and P&L. Visionary leader with ability to communicate plans and shared goals with cross functional teams while implementing creative business solutions to challenging obstacles.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Accomplishments
- Developed and implemented streamlined operating procedures; improved image and service capacity at Advanstar Communications. Organization grew from 44 trade shows to 101, over a three year period. Developed the strategy to reduce operating costs by 5%,and improved efficiency to execute 47% more shows.
- At National Safety Council, Introduced a new technology vendor Personify (formerly a2z), a show management software tool, using modules for speaker selection, exhibit sales, product listings and floor plan development.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, securing favorable terms while adhering to budgetary constraints.
- While at ARSystems, Intl secured $3.5M in sales over two year period.
Skills
- Strategic Partnership
- C-Suite Communication
- Exhibit Sales
- Sponsorship Acquisition
- Change Management
- Budgets
- P&L
- Team Management
- Partner Management
- Strategic Plans
- Logistics
- Vendor Negotiations
- Revenue Growth
Work History
Trade Show Manager Consultant
Avonlea Independent
Greater Chicagoland Area, IL
06.2022 - Current
- Improved client''s business strategies by conducting in-depth market analysis and identifying key areas for growth.
- Supported the development of new products or services by providing valuable insights into industry trends.
- During this time. have also taken professional development classes and seminars.
- Managed successful trade shows by coordinating with vendors, sales teams, and event staff.
- Increased booth traffic by designing visually appealing and informative trade show displays.
Sr. Director, Convention and Meetings Management
National Safety Council (NSC)
08.2004 - 02.2022
- Led $10M tradeshow business while overseeing 50+ meetings throughout the United States.
- Achieved net revenue increase of the national Safety Congress & Expo by 7%on an annual basis over a six-year period from $3.5M to $10M
- Directed overall event planning process, setting objectives and goals for each show, conference, meeting and creating comprehensive timeline and budget.
- Initiated Executive Summit with 200+C-Suite participants.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, securing favorable terms while adhering to budgetary constraints.
- Developed strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to expand the organization''s reach and influence.
Education
Studies in Business Administration -
University District of Columbia
WashingtonStudies in Business Administration -
Bucks County College
Holland, PAStudies in Business Administration -
Brookhaven College
Dallas, TXAdditional Information
- CAREER NOTE: Sabbatical for family care through May 2022
- Additional Work Experience:
- AR Systems, Director Sales, US Division
- Advanstar Communications, VP, Expositions
- Consumer Electronics Show, Director of Exhibits
Certification
Certified in Exhibition Management, International Association of Exhibitions and Events
Professional Leadership
- Past Chairman, International Association of Exhibitions and Events IAEE
- Past Chairman, IAEE Education Foundation
- Past Participant, Atlanta, Chicago, St Louis, and Anaheim Advisory Boards
- In a volunteer leadership role, worked with Purdue University to create a university text book for the trade show/hospitality industry.
Timeline
Trade Show Manager Consultant
Avonlea Independent
06.2022 - Current
Sr. Director, Convention and Meetings Management
National Safety Council (NSC)
08.2004 - 02.2022
Studies in Business Administration -
University District of Columbia
Studies in Business Administration -
Bucks County College
Studies in Business Administration -
Brookhaven College
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