Kayla McLaughlin
Cliffside Park,NJ
Summary
Event Coordinator with over a decade of expertise in management, customer service, and sales, adept at handling all aspects of event planning, from budgeting and scheduling to vendor relations and post-event follow-up. Demonstrates exceptional leadership in training and mentoring teams, enhancing customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. Committed to creating memorable experiences through innovative solutions and strategic planning.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Event Coordinator
The Legacy Castle
08.2023 - Current
- Organized and scheduled meetings with clients to discuss their needs/expectations for each event.
- Contacted prospective or existing customers to discuss services.
- Scheduled pre-event walkthroughs at venues to ensure setup is completed according to plan.
- Utilized strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with stakeholders and guests.
- Answered customers’ questions about services, prices, availability, or credit terms.
- Consulted with clients after sales and contract signings to resolve problems and provided ongoing support.
- Handled administrative tasks for team members, helping projects run smoothly.
- Vendor coordination and monitoring to ensure timely delivery of services for successful event execution.
- Collaborated closely with other professionals within the wedding industry such as caterers, florists, DJs and photographers.
- Engaging with departmental leaders to establish organizational goals, strategic plans and objectives.
- Consulted regularly with couples throughout the planning process in order to accurately capture their vision for their special day.
Administrative Assistant
The Legacy Castle
08.2023 - 11.2024
- Supported company leaders by managing budgets, scheduling appointments and organizing itinerary.
- Interacted with vendors, contractors and professional services personnel to receive orders, direct activities, and communicate instructions.
- Answered multi-line phone system, routing calls, delivering messages to staff and greeting visitors.
- Liaised between clients and vendors and maintained effective lines of communication.
- Organized logistics and materials for each meeting and took detailed notes for later dissemination to key stakeholders.
- Built and maintained excellent customer relationships through timely response to inquiries and going above and beyond to accommodate unusual requests.
- Managed filing system, entered data and completed other clerical tasks.
- Created and maintained detailed administrative processes and procedures to drive efficiency and accuracy.
Account Manager
Pristine Management
03.2023 - 08.2023
- Marketing and sales manager position
- Direct marketing approach to customer acquisitions
- Representing multiple large-name clients
- Interviewing/hiring process of employees
- Recruiting
- Field training (residential home-to home)
- Office managerial duties
- Running sales-oriented stations
- Cutting territories for staff
- Running leadership meetings
- Conference calls
- Managing and delegating duties to team members
- Networking with large offices throughout the country
Bar Manager
Uncle Vinny's Bar and Grill
09.2022 - 06.2023
- Managed daily operations, including opening and closing duties, scheduling, ordering, and inventory control.
- Greeted patrons promptly and cordially, exhibiting excellent guest service skills.
- Prepared beverages and cocktails according to mixing and presentation standards and recipes.
- Utilized POS systems to track sales activity and analyze trends in order to maximize profits.
- Enforced state liquor regulations to maintain positive and safe atmosphere for customers.
- Promoted and coordinated upcoming bar events, fundraisers and vendor opportunities.
- Trained and mentored new team members in proper bar operations.
- Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate staff, while ensuring customer satisfaction.
Bartender
Mother's Ale House and Grill
09.2020 - 08.2022
- Operated cash register and Point of Sale (POS) system for transactions and made proper change for cash transactions.
- Managed bar area, cocktail design and menu and handled inventory, regulation compliance and customer relationships.
- Upsold customers from shelf to premium brands to help boost sales.
- Recommended food and drinks to patrons based on preference, pairings and special promotions.
- Stayed up-to-date on latest mixology trends, bar equipment and sanitation standards.
- Maintained knowledge of bar and menu options to prepare drinks and make food recommendations.
- Trained new bartenders on drink preparation and upselling techniques.
- Checked identification of guests to verify age requirements for alcohol purchase.
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing intoxication and dealing with intoxicated guests.
Bartender Shift Manager
Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament
05.2014 - 03.2020
- Operated cash register and Point of Sale (POS) system for transactions and made proper change for cash transactions.
- TIPS Certified.
- Introduced bar staff to precision pouring and waste reduction tactics to lower liquor costs.
- Interviewed, hired and trained staff to improve customer retention and bolster sales.
- Monitored cash intake to reduce discrepancies.
- Resolved escalated customer complaints to maximize satisfaction and loyalty.
- Completed thorough opening, closing and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Maintained detailed inventory of bar supplies and stocked work areas.
- Complied with health codes, sanitation requirements and license regulations while streamlining productivity initiatives.
- Restocked beer and liquor regularly and after special events.
- Managed customer conflicts and challenging situations.
- Oversaw and guided team of 10.
Education
Criminal Justice
Bergen Community College
NJ06.2015
Skills
- Banquet and Event Sales
- Project Coordination
- Special Events Planning
- Management
- Sales
- Contract Negotiations
- Vendor/Insurance Management
- Marketing
- Customer Service & Hospitality
- Accounting
- Payment Processing
- Scheduling
- Employee Interviewing/Hiring/Onboarding
Certification
- TIPS Certified
- CPR Certified
- Fire Safety Training
- Alcohol and Beverage Handling License
Timeline
Administrative Assistant
The Legacy Castle
08.2023 - 11.2024
Event Coordinator
The Legacy Castle
08.2023 - Current
Account Manager
Pristine Management
03.2023 - 08.2023
Bar Manager
Uncle Vinny's Bar and Grill
09.2022 - 06.2023
Bartender
Mother's Ale House and Grill
09.2020 - 08.2022
Bartender Shift Manager
Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament
05.2014 - 03.2020
Criminal Justice
Bergen Community College