Open To Work
Nicole L. Sutton
Raleigh,NC
Summary
Detail-oriented and organized Corporate Event Planner with 15 + years of experience in event planning, coordination and corporate training. Adept at budget management, skilled at managing multiple stakeholders, vendor negotiations, logistics coordination, and ensuring brand consistency to deliver seamless and engaging events. Recognized as a dedicated and prolific professional with exceptional organizational, management and customer service skills to handle complex tasks and responsibilities.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Event Planner
BASF
01.2024 - Current
- Plan and execute corporate events, including conferences, trade shows, product launches, and meetings.
- Develop event strategies aligned with company goals, ensuring seamless logistics, budgeting, and on-time execution.
- Coordinate with internal teams, executives, stakeholders and external partners to ensure branding and messaging consistency.
- Maintain event budgets beginning at $100,000+ and ensure cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.
- Manage event registrations, attendee communications, and on-site logistics.
- Research industry trends and best practices to enhance event efficiency and attendee engagement.
- Negotiate contracts with venues and suppliers to secure favorable terms.
- Provide post-event analysis and recommendations for future improvements.
- Supervise on-site event personnel and delegate tasks effectively.
- Support on-site event coordination, handling last-minute adjustments and problem-solving according to company standards.
Events Coordinator
Life Leadership
01.2014 - 01.2023
- Schedule, coordinate and manage company events. Assist with the formation and implementation of national leadership conventions. Manage business operations for senior level staff.
- Manage budgets and allocate expenditures for travel and other events.
- Plan and coordinate national Leadership Conventions for 10,000+ attendees.
- Pack pallets and ensure shipment and delivery of items needed for events.
- Oversee event staff, setup, and break down at Leadership Conventions.
- Assist with merchandise sales handling and keeping cash safe until pickup from Brink’s or Loomis.
- Oversee communication, travel acquisition and the coordination of travel arrangements for all corporate staff event department members and company VIPs.
- Coordinate weekly speaking schedules which includes over 50 locations in North America to ensure successful execution of all weekly events.
- Organize, schedule and host Zoom Conference Calls for company executives.
- Track and evaluate trending attendance data by location.
- Collect and analyze financial summary of events.
- Utilize Microsoft Excel to generate and prepare 5 weekly reports for management and field members.
- Manage incoming calls, emails, and company related correspondence daily.
- Answer customer inquiries and complaints while providing excellent and quality customer service.
- Efficiently process, match and code invoices on a monthly basis.
Senior Training Program Coordinator
Sterling Jewelers Inc.
01.2006 - 01.2014
- Coordinated the planning and training of events for the company. Managed customer training inquiries and other customer related issues.
- Utilized exceptional organizational and time management skills to coordinate all the logistics for Home Office schools and training events such as updating materials, ordering materials (with internal and external vendors), ordering catering, scheduling guest speakers and facilitating classroom set-up.
- Managed budgets, communication, travel acquisition and the coordination of arrivals and departures for all Home Office Field Training attendees nationwide.
- Ensured accurate reporting of participant enrollment and completion of training programs and events via HRIS (Lawson).
- Secured and reserved conference space and catering for training events.
- Created the complete Core Training Program for Management Training.
- Assisted the Management Training and Performance Specialists in completing assignments.
- Handled customer issues with a “Customer First” approach, in a timely manner, and within established quality expectations and service levels.
- Answered all incoming training, customer service calls/emails and proficiently troubleshot and resolved client issues in addition to providing necessary information materials.
- Negotiated complex issues with various internal and external departments and vendors.
- Collaborated with Accounts Payable Department to facilitate the disbursement of DCA deductions, reimbursements, and check requests.
- Developed financially responsible resolutions by applying critical thinking and problem solving skills.
- Implemented strong verbal and written communication skills to create clear, concise and professional communication to vendors, clients and internal departments.
- Maintained and update various Microsoft Access databases for training material maintenance.
- Assisted with ad-hoc projects as needed.
Eligibility & Billing Processor
SummaCare Health Plan
01.2001 - 2006
- Received and sorted incoming payments with attention to credibility. Managed the status of accounts and balances and identify inconsistencies. Provided solutions to any relative problems of clients.
- Processed applications for commercial clients.
- Recorded client’s payments into data system.
- Partnered with Accounting Department on reconciling client invoices.
- Answered all incoming commercial client calls/emails and provided necessary information as well as troubleshooting to resolve issues.
- Required to maintain the highest level of ethical and professional standards with regards to insurance and HIPAA privacy laws.
- Mastered the complex terms and conditions of health insurance policies.
- Filed, copied, scanned important documents.
Education
High School Diploma -
Copley High School
Copley, OH01.1995
Skills
- Event Planning & Execution
- Budget Management
- Vendor & Venue Management
- Logistics Management
- Stakeholder Collaboration
- Contract Negotiations
- Experienced with Cvent and Event Mobi
- Skilled in utilizing Microsoft Office Suite tools
Affiliations
Project Management Institute (PMI)
Timeline
Event Planner
BASF
01.2024 - Current
Events Coordinator
Life Leadership
01.2014 - 01.2023
Senior Training Program Coordinator
Sterling Jewelers Inc.
01.2006 - 01.2014
Eligibility & Billing Processor
SummaCare Health Plan
01.2001 - 2006
High School Diploma -
Copley High School