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Rebecca Willingham
Clinton,MD
Work Preference
Summary
Motivated communications professional with extensive experience managing over 120 trade shows. Expertise in event coordination, public health resource management, and cross-functional collaboration, resulting in improved customer satisfaction and enhanced organizational visibility. Committed to fostering team development and building strong client relationships.
Overview
1
1
Certification
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Exhibit Manager
IQ Solutions, Inc.
North Bethesda, MD
01.2007 - Current
- Oversaw financial planning and budget development for exhibits and meetings, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Managed booth space purchases, shipping, and drayage for over 120 trade shows and meetings.
- Conducted market research and vendor assessments to optimize trade show services procurement, enhancing cost-effectiveness and service quality.
- Acted as NIMH lead representative at nationwide conferences to increase visibility.
- Reported on performance metrics and addressed workflow concerns, leading to improved customer satisfaction.
- Oversaw inquiries related to mental health referrals, publications, and treatment resources.
- Coordinated inventory management with order processing for NIMH warehouse efficiency.
- Facilitated onboarding of new hires by educating on NIMH referral guidelines.
Exhibit Manager and Center for Health Information (CHI) Manager
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
04.2024 - 10.2025
- Developed annual exhibit plan to represent NHLBI Divisions at national conferences and trade shows.
- Collaborated with representatives from NHLBI Divisions to develop collateral to be featured at the booth based on the theme, campaigns, and focus of each team.
- Represented NHLBI at national conferences and shared information about the Institute's initiatives.
- Oversaw activities at CHI by managing communication channels and addressing public inquiries and publication orders.
- Trained NHLBI Information Specialists to improve effectiveness in responding to public inquiries.
- Provided responses via telephone, LiveChat, and email to public inquiry about research, health information, and publication orders.
- Managed various administrative tasks including preparing LiveChat and NIH RECOVER email reports.
- Authored procedural updates in alignment with NHLBI COR requirements.
Exhibit Coordinator
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
01.2020 - 09.2025
- Coordinated exhibit tasks for NIA Information Resource Center, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Managed purchasing, shipping logistics, and drayage material orders for each conference, facilitating seamless event operations.
- Executed approved exhibit plans on schedule, contributing to overall conference success.
- Conducted research and vendor assessments to inform acquisition strategies for trade show services and exhibit procurement, selecting cost effective vendors that met federal compliance and quality requirements.
- Collaborated with diverse teams to create tailored meeting materials.
Program Associate
Helping to End Addiction Long-term Initiative (NIH HEAL Initiative)
04.2022 - 03.2025
- Developed linguistic guidelines to ensure clarity and consistency in communications.
- Assisted in formulating Standard Operating Procedures for public inquiry responses, improving response quality.
- Managed public email inquiries for Initiative, enhancing communication effectiveness.
Loaner Exhibits Task Lead
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
11.2019 - 06.2023
- Led NCI loaner exhibit tasks, ensuring alignment with program goals and effective execution.
- Managed all logistical aspects of conference participation, facilitating smooth operations and stakeholder engagement.
- Coordinated logistics for booth space procurement and shipping arrangements for all conferences, optimizing resource allocation.
- Assisted with the development and the acquisition of a large 40x40 exhibit build, coordinating with program leads and the COR to align procurement approach with program objectives and budget constraints.
Information Specialist and Exhibits Coordinator
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
01.2009 - 11.2013
- Showcased NIAMS initiatives and research at national conferences, increasing organizational visibility.
- Coordinated and executed approved exhibit timetables, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with organizational goals.
- Facilitated access to essential information on musculoskeletal, autoimmune, and skin diseases, enhancing public understanding.
Education
MBA - Project Management
Southern New Hampshire University
Hooksett, NH01-2020
BA - Communications
University of Maryland At College Park
College Park, MD01-2004
Skills
- Inventory management and logistics
- Exhibit booth coordination
- Staff leadership and training
- Public inquiry management
- Data reporting
- Process improvement
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Client management
- Strategic communication
Certification
- Certification for Community Resource Specialist (CRS), Inform USA
- Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Scrum Alliance
- Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), Scrum Alliance
Timeline
Exhibit Manager and Center for Health Information (CHI) Manager
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
04.2024 - 10.2025
Program Associate
Helping to End Addiction Long-term Initiative (NIH HEAL Initiative)
04.2022 - 03.2025
Exhibit Coordinator
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
01.2020 - 09.2025
Loaner Exhibits Task Lead
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
11.2019 - 06.2023
Information Specialist and Exhibits Coordinator
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
01.2009 - 11.2013
Exhibit Manager
IQ Solutions, Inc.
01.2007 - Current
MBA - Project Management
Southern New Hampshire University
BA - Communications
University of Maryland At College Park