Kristen Soza
Austin,TX
Summary
Results-driven event planning professional with strong expertise in catering and hospitality. Proven ability to develop client relationships, perform service and menu upgrades and upselling activities to meet predetermined revenue objectives, as well as continuously meet quarterly and annual sales. Focused on team collaboration, adaptability, and delivering exceptional service. Skilled in event planning, contract negotiation, and customer satisfaction.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Catering Sales Manager/Event Planner
Austin Catering
08.2023 - Current
- Organized corporate meetings, special events and social occasions to satisfy client requirements and increase facility revenues.
- Developed comprehensive proposals that effectively showcased the unique value proposition of our catering services.
- Determined facility, services and staffing needs to establish framework for successful event execution.
- Built strong partnerships with local businesses for referrals, expanding the company''s clientele base.
- Strengthened client relationships through consistent communication and excellent customer service. Implementing post-event follow-up processes, soliciting feedback to continually refine services offered.
- Coordinated seamless events by collaborating with cross-functional teams, including chefs, servers, and event planners.
- Ensured adherence to budgetary constraints while delivering high-quality catering experiences for clients.
- Collaborated with venues, vendors, and clients to confirm event details such as setup logistics, decorations and food and beverage selections to fulfill client requests.
Events Coordinator
ABS Group
08.2022 - Current
- Full responsibility for five marketing managers coordinating logistics for conferences, exhibits, and speaking engagements world wide
- Responsible for operational aspects of planning approximately 100 events a year while maintaining budgetary guideline and event timelines for respective managers
- Primary contact for vendors, conference event organizers, and marketing managers
- Maintained accurate reports, briefs, information and details on all events for presentation and guidelines to team members
- Scheduled and lead event planning meetings with marketing managers and their team members
Events & Operations Coordinator/ Acting Club Manager
RIVERBEND CLUB AT THE RESERVE
05.2021 - 07.2022
- Company Overview: part of Braverman Company
- Responsible for various positions from events to operations functioning as Event Planner and Operations Coordinator for the Riverbend Club part of The Reserve on Lake Travis
- Managed, planned, and implemented key events for members
- In addition, marketed weddings and social events for the Riverbend Club venue for additional revenue
- Other obligations included oversight of luxury amenities and food and beverage functions
- Worked closely with the General Manager to ensure day-to-day operations ran smoothly and member services were of the highest quality
- Created and managed club events maintaining a working knowledge of the complex needs of a wide variety of events
- Oversight of event financials and time constraints
- Planned and managed annual budget of $500,000 for member events
- Established and maintained relationships with vendors
- Club member liaison for 300 members concerns, requests, and overall information
- Coordinated inspections and inventory management with Corporate office
- Maintained Toast purchase order system for sales within food and beverage
- Managed and assisted food and beverage operations
- Trained staff
- Acted as the Club Manager overseeing memberships, amenities, and food & beverage
- Part of Braverman Company
Customer Service Assistant
MADISON MARINE
10.2020 - 05.2021
- Company Overview: part of Braverman Company
- Face of Madison Marine creating an excellent first impression for visitors and residents, in person and over the telephone
- Responsible for oversight between service and customers facilitating work orders in a professional manner or providing referrals as needed
- Oversaw front desk office duties including managing phones, email, greeting visitors, registration, processing of guest boaters, and providing information relevant to the services at the marina
- Dedicated to providing the highest quality service to the most discreet clientele of boating enthusiast
- Kept records of customer interactions and processed customer accounts
- Ensured quality completion of services to the highest standard
- Part of Braverman Company
Education
Creative Media & Marketing
Texas Tech
Skills
- Client Services
- Event Planning/Management
- Vendor Relationships
- Food & Beverage Operations
- Relationship Builder/Collaborator
- Inventory Management
- Analytical problem solver
- Budget Planning
- Results Oriented
- Strong negotiation skills
- Multitasker
- Team leadership
Affiliationscertifications
- Food Manager Certification
- TABC License
- Toast Food and Beverage POS system
- CoSchedule event planning and marketing management software
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
Timeline
Catering Sales Manager/Event Planner
Austin Catering
08.2023 - Current
Events Coordinator
ABS Group
08.2022 - Current
Events & Operations Coordinator/ Acting Club Manager
RIVERBEND CLUB AT THE RESERVE
05.2021 - 07.2022
Customer Service Assistant
MADISON MARINE
10.2020 - 05.2021
Creative Media & Marketing
Texas Tech
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