Matt Hodge
Owens Crossroads,AL
Summary
Experienced Project Manager with a proven record of coordinating and managing operations across multiple departments. Managed projects varying in budgets resulting in multi-million-dollar economic impact for Von Braun Center and the Huntsville community. An effective leader with proven people and problem-solving skills, dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease cost and schedule while promoting efficiency throughout the organization. Highly connected within the Huntsville community and committed with hardworking mentality to establish and maintain quality of relationships, services, and products. PMP Candidate High-performing Event Manager with extensive portfolio of international and domestic project accomplishments spanning 13 years. Outgoing, hands-on professional bringing valuable relationship building and retention skills, which amassed diversified network of service providers, ensuring optimal quality, and results for successful client events.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Event Manager
Von Braun Center
06.2023 - Current
- Responsible for the efficient, professional, and profitable operation of events in all venues hosted in the Von Braun Center (VBC) complex
- Hires, supervises and trains junior event coordinators, managing event assignments and assigns them to events
- Provides overall management and leadership of initiatives that create and deliver an exceptional customer experience
- Drafts event contracts, reports, and artifacts, including work authorization documents for planning execution and assignments of direct report supervisors, labor workforce, and suppliers for events throughout the VBC
- Develops and maintains relationships with promoters, local Huntsville market contacts, agents, talent affiliates, and suppliers for all VBC events
- Manages a full-time staff of four event coordinators, conducting annual performance evaluations and assigning event schedules
- Manages an average event staff of 15, inspecting work performed by event setup, housekeeping, and other event support personnel
- Provides superior customer support and mediates customer issues in a timely manner.
Arena Operations & Event Manager
Von Braun Center
09.2022 - 06.2023
- Developed, coordinated, and managed all aspects and strategies for every event hosted in the Propst Arena at the VBC
- Managed day-to-day operations of the VBC, ensuring projects were properly resourced, and plans were efficiently implemented, while coordinating with in-house and contract labor services to ensure staffing levels were maintained
- Partnered with on-site human resources and personnel services to ensure the hiring of a competent workforce
- Scheduled and supervised seven VBC hourly and up to 40 contracted part-time employees
- Conducted on-going and annual job performance evaluations of the 7 VBC hourly employees
- Mentored subordinates on specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with unique event requirements, like ice manufacturing, installation of portable basketball flooring, and staging for concerts
- Researched cost-effective methods to accomplish goals and objectives, like the replacement of antiquated labor
- Planned and executes the daily activity of event set-ups, housekeeping, and event support
- Identified facility priorities, to ensure maximum efficiency of staff and use of equipment
- Proved fiscal responsibility in purchasing supplies and equipment
- Continued all responsibilities of an Event Manager, as listed below.
Event Manager
Von Braun Center
03.2011 - 09.2022
- Maintained a positive working environment and open channel of communication with VBC clients
- Managed administrative logistics of events planning, event booking and event promotions
- Fulfilled contractual obligations for rehearsal and day of event coordination
- Coordinated catering services and planned menus to complement the event theme and selected musical or guest speaker entertainment
- Planned and organized activities, details and timelines for all events
- Aided in the monitoring of rental contracts and ensuring proper contract maintenance
- Oversaw preparation and management of event budgets to deliver at or below projected costs
- Verified final event invoice for accurate invoicing
- Informed the client of all VBC services and assisted in selling those services
- Aided and promoted any future booking of events with current clients
- Coordinated and assisted in the management of outdoor festivals
- Directed the transition from CAD program to Cvent/Social Tables
- Solicited feedback from clients to assess event success and uncover opportunities for improvement.
Interim Marketing Director
United Way of Madison County
09.2010 - 03.2011
- Created and managed all marketing and advertising responsibilities for United Way of Madison County
- Implemented all public relations activities: coordinated interviews/appearances for board and staff, wrote all media releases, and executed media events
- Launched multiple United Way of Madison County social media accounts, including the Facebook page and You Tube account and collaborated on developing and implementing the organization's social media policy for the organization's employees.
Customer Relationship Manager
United Way of Madison County
07.2009 - 03.2011
- Ran and maintained divisions of the United Way campaign
- Organized, recruited, trained, and organized community volunteers to run the United Way workplace campaigns
- Planned, executed, and briefed Organized and spoke at workplace campaign rallies, kick offs, and other fundraising events
- Developed and maintained relationships with campaign donors, volunteers, and partner agencies.
Production Crew
WHNT News 19
02.2009 - 07.2009
- Part-time production work for live news broadcasts
- Chyron, camera, teleprompter operator
- On scene cameraman for breaking news.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Public Relations
University of North Alabama
Florence, AL01.2008
Skills
- Vendor negotiation
- Brand Awareness
- Creative Direction
- Event Marketing
- Team leadership and supervision
- Vendor and contract negotiations
- Supply Management
- Continuous Improvement
- Operations Oversight
- Supplier Relations
- Budget Development
- Deadline Management
Accomplishments
- Managed multiple high profile, multi-million-dollar economic impact events for Von Braun Center and Huntsville, such as the 2021-2023 Space and Missile Defense Symposium ($1.2M), 2023 AUSA Global Force Symposium ($350,000) 2021 SEC Gymnastics Championship ($173,000) 2022 Tiger Rock Martial Arts World Championship ($128,000), Wingding 37 ($3M City Economic Impact), and multiple concerts, conferences, and social events over from 2011-2023.
- Managed internal VBC project to update and upgrade the CAD program used by the entire facility.
Additional Information
PMP Candidate. Eligible for security clearance.
Timeline
Senior Event Manager
Von Braun Center
06.2023 - Current
Arena Operations & Event Manager
Von Braun Center
09.2022 - 06.2023
Event Manager
Von Braun Center
03.2011 - 09.2022
Interim Marketing Director
United Way of Madison County
09.2010 - 03.2011
Customer Relationship Manager
United Way of Madison County
07.2009 - 03.2011
Production Crew
WHNT News 19
02.2009 - 07.2009
Bachelor of Science - Public Relations
University of North Alabama
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