Karin Cannock
Bethesda,USA
Summary
Highly skilled Senior Event Manager with experience in planning and executing large-scale local and international events. Strengths include strategic event planning, team leadership, budget management, and vendor negotiation. Have consistently delivered high-quality events that exceed client expectations while maintaining strict budget controls.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Event Manager
International Republican Institute
Washington, DC
08.2022 - Current
- Developed a strategic plan for the management of external and internal events at IRI
- Supported all divisions and departments at IRI to ensure that their meeting and event requests were met and managed with detail and professionalism.
- Collaborated closely with team members on managing space setups, audio-visual needs, catering requirements, branding, invitation design, and communication tools for events.
- Contracted and managed a hotel room block and event space for the biannual IRI Global Strategy Meeting in 2023, which was held at the Wharf Intercontinental Hotel in Washington, DC.
- Identified objectives, deliverables, tasks, and deadlines in relation to the coordination, theme, message, and image for large, high-level annual events, such as the 2023 and 2024 John S. McCain Freedom Awards
- Established communication with speakers, government representatives, authors, academics, and special guests
Assistant General Manager
World Bank Group/FLIK Hospitality
Washington, DC
07.2019 - 12.2021
- Collaborated closely with GM in managing a team of 15 to 20 associates to serve meetings, events, and catering in five World Bank Group buildings (Headquarters, J, I, C, and IFC).
- Collaborated in the organization of the IFC and WBG Annual Meetings 2019, and Spring Meetings 2020, by managing client demands, establishing protocols, and executing planning for high-level conferences.
- Created and managed a database of event and meeting room furniture, and equipment inventory for five buildings.
- Oversaw the strategic booking of event space using EMS to ensure maximum utilization of the facilities by the customer.
- Monitored inventory levels and ordered supplies to maintain optimal stock.
- Formed and sustained strategic relationships with clients.
- Prepared staff work schedules and assigned team members to specific duties.
- Improved productivity initiatives, managing budgets and accounts, coordinating itinerary and scheduling appointments.
- Prepared and analyzed financial reports to inform budgeting and financial planning.
- Oversaw payroll preparation and administration for staff.
- Coordinated with the General Manager to develop and implement strategic plans.
Institutional Affairs Officer
International Monetary Fund, IMF
Washington, DC
02.2016 - 07.2019
- Collaborated in the management of the IMF Spring and Annual Meetings in 2016, 2017, 2018 (Bali), and 2019.
- Elaborated scheduling plan and managed meetings to review tasks and update briefing materials, speaker selections, setups, branding, design, and communication tools.
- Established communication with speakers, representatives, and special invitees to ensure that their pre-registration and badging were completed before arrival.
- Participated in the organization of the Annual Meetings 2018, which took place in Bali, Indonesia, by providing statistics and experience examples from the Lima 2015 Annual Meetings.
- Provided guidance to team members on how to effectively complete tasks within established timelines.
- Developed and maintained relationships with key clients and stakeholders.
Conference Manager – World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings
Ministry of Economy and Finance - Government of Peru
Lima, Peru
01.2013 - 11.2015
- Managed the coordination for all meeting room setups and breakdowns in five official venues.
- Organized the timeline, staff, and coordination for the setups and breakdowns of approximately 850 offices for delegations in a newly built office tower.
- Supervised the setup and operation of the F&B outlet operators in the five official venues.
- Purchased furniture, equipment, and office supplies for all meeting rooms, offices, and public areas.
- Managed event staff throughout conferences to ensure that all tasks were completed efficiently and effectively.
- Chose facilities, inspected spaces and planned set up and execution to exceed client expectation.
- Developed relationships with vendors and negotiated contracts for event services such as catering, equipment purchasing, rentals, and personnel.
- Organized and managed the planning of conferences from start to finish, including budgeting, scheduling, and logistics.
- Monitored event progress in real-time and adjusted plans accordingly to ensure successful outcomes.
- Managed safe and smooth food delivery at banquets, conferences and social events.
- Collaborated closely with team members to achieve project objectives and meet deadlines.
Temporary Event Manager
National Endowment for Democracy, NED
Washington, DC
06.2012 - 12.2012
- Managed all logistical aspects for the annual World Movement for Democracy conference, which took place in Lima, Peru, in 2012.
- Chose facilities, inspected spaces and planned set up and execution to exceed client expectation.
- Developed and implemented event plans, including budgets, venues, catering, décor, A/V and special guests.
- Created detailed timelines for events based on scope of work required by each team member involved in process.
- Coordinated and allocated equipment, supplies and staff for events.
- Selected catering services for different types of events, balancing cost, menu and term options against client demands.
General Manager
Regus Business Centers
Washington, DC
06.2009 - 06.2010
- Managed all client-related concerns and requests, such as phone and internet programming, billing corrections, office set-ups, and meeting room bookings.
- Updated the Regus Corporate Office on center operations through reports regarding move-ins, move-outs, margin analysis, monthly billing, renewals, aging progress, and sales.
- Managed a team of 3-5 client service representatives who assisted me with the everyday operations at the center.
- Reached and exceeded the goal of center readiness and client satisfaction for three quarters in a row.
- Reached 88% client retention for the White House and International Square Regus centers.
Conference Services Manager
Hilton Durham Hotel
Durham, NC
08.2007 - 05.2008
- Oversaw setup of meeting rooms prior to events to ensure they meet customer specifications.
- Facilitated smooth and successful communication between client, hotel departments and external resources to meet expectations for exceptional guest experiences.
- Compiled data on past conferences such as attendance numbers or financial results for use in reports or presentations.
- Conferred with customers to gather event requirements and explore opportunities.
- Managed safe and smooth food delivery at banquets, conferences and social events.
Event Sales Manager
JW Lima Marriott
Lima, Peru
04.2004 - 07.2005
- Coached, developed and motivated team to achieve revenue goals.
- Monitored competitor activity within the local area and identified opportunities for growth.
- Participated in networking events related to the industry in order to build relationships with potential partners.
- Oversaw regional and local sales managers and staff.
- Created and presented proposals and built successful RFPs for new events.
Event Manager
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
Washington, DC
12.1999 - 10.2003
- Managed and serviced corporate, government, and association groups ranging from 10 to 600 guests.
- Forecasted room night pick-ups for groups, based on group histories and preliminary meeting agendas.
- Directed and attended several in-house weekly meetings, such as Pre-convention, Forecast, Convention, Catering, and Operations meetings.
- Attended Marriott Management Training Seminars such as Service Excellence, Sales and Service Foundations, Catering Sales, Conflict Resolution, Effective Presentations, SFA Training, Introduction to Revenue Management, Foundations of Leadership, and Event Operations.
Education
Certificate in Project Management -
Cornell University
09.2024
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
University of Denver
Denver, CO06.1997
Skills
- FINPROD
- SNOW
- Marriott NGS, PMS and SFA
- Fidelio Sales & Catering
- Regus Titan
- EMS
- PeopleSoft
- Microsoft 365
- Zoom
- WebEx
Skills
Spanish Native, French Proficient, FINPROD, SNOW, Marriott NGS, Marriott PMS, Marriott SFA, Fidelio Sales & Catering, Regus Titan, Events Management System, PeopleSoft, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, WebEx
Timeline
Senior Event Manager
International Republican Institute
08.2022 - Current
Assistant General Manager
World Bank Group/FLIK Hospitality
07.2019 - 12.2021
Institutional Affairs Officer
International Monetary Fund, IMF
02.2016 - 07.2019
Conference Manager – World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings
Ministry of Economy and Finance - Government of Peru
01.2013 - 11.2015
Temporary Event Manager
National Endowment for Democracy, NED
06.2012 - 12.2012
General Manager
Regus Business Centers
06.2009 - 06.2010
Conference Services Manager
Hilton Durham Hotel
08.2007 - 05.2008
Event Sales Manager
JW Lima Marriott
04.2004 - 07.2005
Event Manager
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
12.1999 - 10.2003
Certificate in Project Management -
Cornell University
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
University of Denver
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