Katie Smythe
SPRINGFIELD,PA
Summary
Highly skilled Senior Event Manager with experience in planning and executing large-scale corporate 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
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Event Manager
HMP Global
Malvern, PA
12.2021 - Current
- Plan and execute events, including conferences and trade shows of 2000+ attendees, and hybrid virtual/in-person meetings of 100-200 guests.
- Manage the RFP process, attend site visits, negotiate contracts, and create meeting budgets.
- Partner with hotel and convention center venues, working with both catering and conference services on menus, room sets, and special themed experiences.
- Establish relationships with AV and decorator vendors, working together on audio-visual needs and Exhibit Hall plans.
- Create and distribute sponsorship specs, collect assets, and work with decorator(s) to fulfill sponsor and exhibitor agreements.
- Process and code final event invoices and reconcile multi-million dollar budgets.
Event Manager
Event Strategy Group
Broomall, PA
06.2019 - 03.2020
- Planned and executed events for clients ranging from meetings of 1200+ people, to white-glove executive retreats and international incentive trips.
- Negotiated contracts, led clients on site visits, partnered with hotels and convention centers, selected multi-day F&B menus, booked talent and organized transportation.
- Collaborated closely with tech and production teams to ensure all AV components and venue setups were in line with the scope of work.
Communication and Program Manager
Insomnia Cookies
Newtown Square, PA
03.2015 - 06.2019
- Planned company events including an annual conference, sales trainings, and incentive trips.
- Performed site visits, negotiated contracts, managed budgets, partnered with hotel and entertainment venues, created agenda content and managed F&B selections.
- Created and managed programs to increase employee engagement, including the Cookies for a Cause community service program, Lunch and Learns, Random Acts of Sweetness, Wellness Week and Young Leaders Roundtable.
Partnership Manager
VISIT PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia, PA
12.2011 - 03.2015
- Planned and produced events with various partner organizations in the City of Philadelphia.
- Performed site visits, selected F&B, managed guest lists and hired entertainment.
- Sold and managed advertising partnership programs for the With Love, Philadelphia XOXO Joint Marketing Program; created pitches, proposals and wrap-up reports, and served as day-to-day contact for partners.
- Managed daily tracking of the advertising department budget, ensuring maximum usage of resources and careful protection of the bottom line.
Program Coordinator
Philadelphia Real Estate Council
Philadelphia, PA
05.2011 - 12.2011
- Planned and produced council events, including board meetings, quarterly events and fundraisers.
- Established budgets for events, managed guest lists and liaised with venue staff on menus and setup.
- Executed daily administrative and marketing operations, including membership database and website management, dues collections, and the distribution of e-marketing materials.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Studies
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
05.2010
Skills
- Event planning
- Contract negotiation
- Budget management
- Vendor coordination
- Logistics management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Effective communication
- Detail orientation
- Team collaboration
- Time management
- Leadership skills
- Sponsorship acquisition
- Vendor negotiation
- Travel coordination
- Staff oversight
- Post-event analysis
- Entertainment management
- Catering coordination
Timeline
Senior Event Manager
HMP Global
12.2021 - Current
Event Manager
Event Strategy Group
06.2019 - 03.2020
Communication and Program Manager
Insomnia Cookies
03.2015 - 06.2019
Partnership Manager
VISIT PHILADELPHIA
12.2011 - 03.2015
Program Coordinator
Philadelphia Real Estate Council
05.2011 - 12.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Studies
West Chester University of Pennsylvania