Kimberly Parrent
Lafayette Hill,PA
Summary
Dynamic event professional with extensive experience, excelling in event planning and vendor negotiation. Proven track record in managing over 800 events annually, enhancing client satisfaction through effective communication and attention to detail. Skilled in technology management and team leadership, ensuring seamless operations and successful outcomes.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Director of Conferences & Events
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA
05.2011 - Current
- Administer daily operations of conference activities, prioritizing staff schedules and workload.
- Collaborate with the Director to plan campus events and manage space utilization throughout the year.
- Facilitate communication with internal departments to address service needs for events.
- Draft Standard Operating Procedures for departmental operations to ensure consistency.
- Manage specialty technology programs, including IRIS for summer conferences, and room inventory.
- Oversee the inventory and distribution of formal regalia for major events.
- Administer daily activities of summer conference operations, including staffing, scheduling, and logistics.
- Assist with the summer operation of residence halls, encompassing 1,270 rooms and over 1,600 beds.
- Maintain the Conference Office residence hall key and fob inventory.
- Recruit academic year and summer student staff, including interviewing candidates, making hiring decisions, and onboarding new hires.
- Train and supervise student workers, enhance customer service, delegate tasks, and set daily and weekly priorities.
- Implement billing procedures, audit accounts, and reconcile transactions to maintain accuracy.
- Maintain close relationships with key stakeholders while managing expectations.
- Negotiate contracts with vendors for services rendered, or products purchased.
- Develop and maintain relationships with external partners and vendors.
- Remain calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffuse tense situations.
Conference Coordinator
The College of New Jersey
Ewing, NJ
09.2010 - 05.2011
- Point of contact and principal liaison for internal department clients, and all wedding clients.
- Scheduled, designed, and oversaw the setup and logistics for up to 50 events and conferences per month.
- Assessed program goals, event histories, and budget considerations to ensure client satisfaction.
- Ordered supplies, equipment, and services within college purchasing regulations.
- Processed accurate, and timely billing and financial reporting.
Program Assistant, Summer Operations
The College of New Jersey
Ewing, NJ
02.2010 - 05.2011
- Planned, coordinated, and executed operations for 30 summer camps and conferences, including the Special Olympics of New Jersey Summer Games.
- Procured vendor quotes, and ordered supplies for program attendees.
- Scheduled and supervised 78 guest services staff.
- Coordinated campus services and residential halls based on client needs.
- Managed client billing and payment.
Special Events Assistant
International Ministries
Valley Forge, PA
11.2005 - 03.2009
- Coordinated conference logistics, travel, and itineraries for international and domestic staff and speakers.
- Implemented a new event registration system.
- Developed promotional materials for conferences, exhibits, and trade shows.
- Created and managed website content.
- Generated customized reports for various departments.
- Managed inventory, packing, and shipping of equipment and materials for events and tradeshows.
- Supervised on-site setup and staffing for tradeshows and events.
- Liaised with partner organizations on co-sponsored events.
- Processed expense reports and facilitated vendor, staff, and participant payments.
- Provided event budgets, expense reports, and financial and statistical reports.
Conference Coordinator
The College of New Jersey
Ewing, NJ
11.2000 - 11.2005
- Coordinated all catering and event needs for the Office of the President, the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, internal departments, and external clients.
- Managed the planning, supervision, and execution of over 800 events per year, with attendance that ranged from under 20 people to over 1,000, to ensure client expectations were met and exceeded.
- Event contract organization and distribution.
- Central point of contact and liaison between clients, internal, and external service providers.
- Communicated the event needs to internal providers and communicated the event changes to ensure successful execution of client specifications and a positive client experience.
- Managed meeting room usage through reservation software.
- Hired, supervised, and managed the payroll for 200 temporary workers every summer for Educational Testing Services.
Education
BS - Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Blacksburg, VADisney College Program -
Walt Disney World
Orlando, FLSkills
- Microsoft Office applications
- Event planning and coordination
- Budget management and vendor negotiation
- Contract administration
- Technology management
- Customer relationship management
- Inventory control
- Training and development
- Team leadership
- Effective communication skills
- Problem solving
- Attention to detail
Technological Skills
- Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- EMS
- IRIS
- Conference Programmer
- Resource25
- Visio
- The Registration System
- Canva
- Vivi
- Financial Edge
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Assistant Director of Conferences & Events
Bryn Mawr College
05.2011 - Current
Conference Coordinator
The College of New Jersey
09.2010 - 05.2011
Program Assistant, Summer Operations
The College of New Jersey
02.2010 - 05.2011
Special Events Assistant
International Ministries
11.2005 - 03.2009
Conference Coordinator
The College of New Jersey
11.2000 - 11.2005
BS - Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Disney College Program -
Walt Disney World
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