REBECCA SIEGEL
Bethesda,MD
Summary
Knowledgeable professional with over 20 years of experience bringing planning and problem-solving abilities. Focused on maximizing resource utilization to support scalable operations and increase bottom-line profitability. Organized and systematic with natural relationship-building and leadership talents. Resourceful professional in management operations known for high productivity and efficient task completion. Possess specialized skills in strategic planning, team leadership, and operational improvement. Excel in communication, problem-solving, and adaptability, ensuring seamless execution of business strategies and enhancement of team performance.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Sole Proprietor/Owner
Private Event Planning
Washington, DC
01.2007 - Current
- Oversee overall company operation and event execution;
- Develop client base and maintain client relations;
- Create and execute events from inception to completion;
- Review all contracts prior to client entering into agreements;
- Consistently work within client budget to produce desired event
Senior Manager, Special Events & Meetings - Corporate Programs
US Chamber of Commerce
Washington, DC
08.2005 - 04.2015
- Responsible for planning events from beginning through execution;
- Oversee and execute all related logistics for conferences, symposia, board meetings and special events held nationwide at various venues and at the US Chamber of Commerce;
- Excel in tightly managing the planning process to ensure events remain at or under budget;
- Conduct comprehensive site inspections nationally to evaluate site suitability and to develop event strategy and logistics;
- Responsibilities include identifying and negotiating contracts with appropriate venues and other third parties, managing audio/visual and food and beverage requirements, working with the legal department to negotiate and execute contracts
- Track room block to avoid attrition penalties
- Advise team members on planning timelines, budget management, and scheduling;
- Work closely with support staff, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, vendors and attendees, facilitating all logistics to ensure that the client or departmental initiatives for events are achieved;
- Design/supervise food functions and meetings for Heads of State, Prime Ministers, Cabinet officials, and CEOs
Event Planner
Finishing Touches Events
Bethesda, MD
09.2001 - 07.2005
- Planned and supervised weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, corporate, non-profit, and other social occasions;
- Worked with clients throughout the process to understand and meet all needs in a timely fashion;
- Organized all aspects of an event including budget, food and beverage, entertainment, audio visual, lighting, decor, and room layout
- Developed and purchased invitations and place cards;
- Planned and prepared a schedule of events for the day of the event; worked with various vendors to ensure the proper people are on site; create centerpieces, gift bags and various other creative client needs
Account Executive
Market Incentives Corporation
Rockville, MD
07.2001 - 07.2005
- Obtained leads and built entire client base;
- Responsible for the development of client and vendor relations as well as marketing company to bring new leads;
- Attended trade shows to follow current marketing trends in order to help clients be creative and unique at their trade shows, with client gifts, for job fairs, at company activities and special events;
- Developed and maintained incentive programs for different companies to build their revenue and boost associate participation and morale
Recruiting Manager
Robert Half International
Washington, DC
10.2000 - 07.2001
- Marketed to prospective clients while building existing corporate accounts;
- Engaged in extensive telephone calls and in-person sales calls to develop relationships with clients;
- Handled the maintenance of over 200 client accounts;
- Recruited and retained top candidates in a competitive market;
- Attended college and career fairs to recruit and screen candidates;
- Conducted sales presentations to gauge client needs and staff their management projects with our top candidates;
- Mentored new employees by training in the sales techniques of RHI and provided them with support
Government Market Sales Manager
Hyatt Regency Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
01.1999 - 05.1999
- Sold and coordinated rooms and meeting space for government groups;
- Worked with department heads and meeting planners to organize food and beverage service, overnight accommodations, audio visual needs and worked within client budgets to achieve client satisfaction and monthly quota;
- Responsible for achieving yearly booking revenue of $1.5 million
Social Market Sales Manager
Hyatt Regency Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
01.1998 - 05.1999
- Acted as liaison between client and hotel to host out of town guests attending special events;
- Worked closely with families and event planners to coordinate events;
- Directed individuals in their preparation for wedding, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, reunion or birthday celebrations;
- Organized the delivery of gift bags and amenities to family members;
- Achieved 100% of $586,200 quota for the year
Individual Travel Sales Manager
Hyatt Regency Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
08.1997 - 12.1998
- Responsible for the transient market and all 40 corporate accounts;
- Handled special promotions for Hyatt products and services;
- Prepared and delivered speeches;
- Organized and planned monthly meetings with counterparts at local Hyatt’s;
- Conducted weekly sales calls to maintain and develop good client relations;
- Prepared monthly analysis of the hotel revenue and account production using Excel;
- Selected to participate in Manager-on-Duty program, handled all operations in the absence of the General Manager;
- Interviewed and trained new support staff as needed, evaluated potential and current sales employees;
- Achieved 110% of yearly quota of $7.2 million
Administrative Sales Assistant
Hyatt Regency Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
07.1996 - 08.1997
- Managed day-to-day administrative functions for group sales, including maintaining files, ordering supplies, sending and distributing mail, writing contracts and business letters, and providing top level customer service;
- Worked with meeting planners to develop conferences and special events;
- Used Microsoft Word and hotel databases to better assist guests and managers;
- Ensured telephone coverage for entire sales office;
- Provided miscellaneous administrative support to dual department staff as needed;
- Trained new sales assistants and the assistant to the General Manager on the daily tasks of their positions
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Criminology and Criminal Justice
University of Maryland at College Park
01.1996
Skills
- Cost analysis and savings
- Purchasing and planning
- Business management and development
- Business operations leadership
- New market research
- Human resources administration
Activities and Honors
- St Andrews School Parent Class Representative
- St Andrews School Auction Committee Member 2020-2021, 2021-2022
- Concord Hill School Parent Admission Liaison 2020-2021, 2021-2022
- Concord Hill School Auction 2018, 2019
- Concord Hill School Teacher Appreciation Chairman 2017-2018
- CSEP Certification (Certified Special Events Professional) – 2009 to Present
- ISES Membership Committee – 2012
- ISES Tabletop Committee – 2012
- ISES Member 2001 - Current
- ISES Gala Committee 2005
- ISES Community Service Member 2004
- Completed ACP Program (Hands on Centerpiece Training)
- ISES Breaker Committee 2003
- Vice President and Co-Founder Capital Leads Group 1997-2001
- PSS Training (Professional Selling Skills) 1997
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Sole Proprietor/Owner
Private Event Planning
01.2007 - Current
Senior Manager, Special Events & Meetings - Corporate Programs
US Chamber of Commerce
08.2005 - 04.2015
Event Planner
Finishing Touches Events
09.2001 - 07.2005
Account Executive
Market Incentives Corporation
07.2001 - 07.2005
Recruiting Manager
Robert Half International
10.2000 - 07.2001
Government Market Sales Manager
Hyatt Regency Bethesda
01.1999 - 05.1999
Social Market Sales Manager
Hyatt Regency Bethesda
01.1998 - 05.1999
Individual Travel Sales Manager
Hyatt Regency Bethesda
08.1997 - 12.1998
Administrative Sales Assistant
Hyatt Regency Bethesda
07.1996 - 08.1997
Bachelor of Arts - Criminology and Criminal Justice
University of Maryland at College Park
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