Mary Kate Connor
Hopewell Junction,NY
Summary
Hospitality-focused event professional with experience supporting large-scale activations, hotel operations, and VIP logistics for brands like Hilton, Disney, and MSG. Skilled in room block management, vendor coordination, signage, and premium guest service. Strong cross-functional communicator with expertise in budget tracking, on-site execution, and tools like Salesforce, Airtable, and Opera.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Strategic Partnerships & Engagement Associatev
Hilton
McLean, VA
11.2024 - Current
- Coordinate hotel reservations, VIP travel, and hospitality for 50+ global nonprofit and media activations annually, supporting high-profile guests including Paris Hilton.
- Lead planning for flagship events like Earth Week and Travel with Purpose Week, managing $200K+ budgets and collaborating across Hilton teams in EMEA, APAC, and the Americas.
- Oversee vendor sourcing, premium catering, branded signage, and merchandise fulfillment to ensure high-touch event execution and brand consistency.
- Reconcile invoices and track financial reporting for 50+ global partners, ensuring accurate grant management and post-event impact documentation.
- Serve as liaison between regional hotels, CSR, legal, and marketing teams to execute culturally aligned events across time zones.
- Utilize Salesforce, Airtable, Concur, and Asana to manage timelines, contracts, budgets, and cross-functional deliverables.
EMEA Executive Leadership Conference Planner
Hilton
Dubai, UAE
07.2024 - 11.2024
- Planned and executed logistics for Hilton’s EMEA Leadership Conference, hosting 500+ executives from 40+ countries, including CEO and global C-suite.
- Managed VIP room assignments, event staffing, and daily entertainment activations across hotel departments.
- Coordinated live performances, receptions, and branded touchpoints in a high-pressure, luxury environment.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with front office, F&B, A/V, and security to ensure seamless guest experience.
- Tracked logistics and timelines using Opera, Delphi, and internal planning platforms.
Global Public Relations Intern
Disney Experiences
Lake Buena Vista, FL
06.2023 - 06.2024
- Planned and executed high-touch media visits and influencer FAMs across Disney parks and resorts, curating F&B, entertainment, and technology activations to support content capture and brand storytelling.
- Coordinated hotel bookings, park access, itineraries, and guest logistics for 500+ press contacts representing top-tier outlets including Hearst, Dotdash Meredith, and Vox Media.
- Supported major campaign launches including Disney Treasure, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Disneyland Paris Hotel, and World of Frozen at Shanghai and Tokyo Disney resorts.
- Created briefing documents, credential lists, signage plans, and coverage recaps in alignment with brand and franchise messaging.
- Used Muck Rack, CreatorIQ, Airtable, and Cision to manage outreach, track earned media, and analyze campaign impact across global markets.
Premium Hospitality Student Associate
Madison Square Garden Co
Manhattan, NY
10.2022 - 04.2023
- Executed premium suite and club-level hospitality for Knicks, Rangers, and live entertainment events, servicing 50+ suites nightly for corporate partners, celebrities, and high-profile guests.
- Oversaw in-suite logistics including ticket fulfillment, VIP credentialing, F&B coordination, branded signage, and gifting in alignment with sponsor and talent expectations.
- Partnered with talent relations and influencer teams to accommodate special requests and ensure seamless execution for media and entertainment clients.
- Liaised with arena operations to communicate and deliver client specifications to front-of-house staff, maintaining brand standards and service excellence across all guest touchpoints.
- Coordinated private hospitality activations during concerts, including artist friends-and-family events held in Knicks and Rangers locker rooms.
- Supported cross-functional collaboration with sales, marketing, and event teams to fulfill contractual assets and enhance the overall VIP guest experience.
Promotional Events Intern
Iheartmedia, Clear Channel
Poughkeepsie, NY
05.2022 - 08.2022
- Supported planning and execution of 12+ local brand activations, coordinating logistics, signage, and vendor management across AV, catering, and promo teams.
- Managed travel and accommodations for media partners and local talent, including VIP coordination for live performances.
- Oversaw on-site setup and guest flow, ensuring brand consistency and operational readiness at each event.
- Tracked budgets, processed invoices, and prepared post-event recaps for senior managers to evaluate campaign ROI.
Disney College Program Intern
Disney Experiences
Lake Buena Vista
06.2021 - 01.2022
- Provided front-of-house guest service in both attractions and quick-service F&B during peak seasons, supporting daily operations and crowd flow at high-volume locations.
Education
Hospitality And Tourism Management
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL08-2025
Bachelor of Arts - Digital Communications And Media
Fordham University
Bronx, NY05-2023
Skills
- VIP Guest Coordination
- Hotel Reservations & Rooming Lists
- On-Site Event Logistics
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Vendor & Venue Management
- Budget Tracking & Invoice Reconciliation
- Travel & Itinerary Planning
- Credentialing & Signage Execution
Timeline
Strategic Partnerships & Engagement Associatev
Hilton
11.2024 - Current
EMEA Executive Leadership Conference Planner
Hilton
07.2024 - 11.2024
Global Public Relations Intern
Disney Experiences
06.2023 - 06.2024
Premium Hospitality Student Associate
Madison Square Garden Co
10.2022 - 04.2023
Promotional Events Intern
Iheartmedia, Clear Channel
05.2022 - 08.2022
Disney College Program Intern
Disney Experiences
06.2021 - 01.2022
Hospitality And Tourism Management
University of Central Florida
Bachelor of Arts - Digital Communications And Media
Fordham University