Shannon Terhune
Accomplished Director of Sales and Events
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
High Performing Director with a proven track record of increasing company revenue and profits while exceeding client expectations. Motivational leadership style with an emphasis on goals, results, quality and talent development. Strategic, analytical, creative, and solution-oriented. Service-oriented approach with clients, as well as employer, and team members.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Catering & Event Sales Manager - Live & Virtual
UCLA Conference & Catering & UCLA Lake Arrowhead
Westwood And Lake Arrowhead, CA
04.2019 - Current
- Successfully executed on $3,224,000 in bookings in first year.
- Instrumental in Creating and Implementing Virtual Event profit center to continue to be of service to UCLA community during pandemic, resulting in $500,00 in Virtual Event Revenue.
- Create, Sell, Book, and Manage High Volume / HIgh Revenue Catering, Events, and Conferences on UCLA Campus in Westwood, and UCLA Lake Arrowhead Resort and Conference Center in Lake Arrowhead.
- Work with Chefs to create and customize menus.
- Sell auxiliary services new to department to increase department profits.
Founder & Lead Event Producer
Shannon Events, Inc
Los Angeles, CA
05.2010 - 04.2019
- Built Event Company from startup to $1,500,000 in first year revenue, with consistent annual increases.
- Converted vast majority of new clients into repeat business through exceptional event management and superior customer service.
- Increased profits from annual fundraising events through skilled vendor negotiations and assertive donor recruitment.
- Sold, Created and successfully executed hundreds of events annually including but not limited to: Fundraising Galas, Fundraising Carnivals and Civic Events, Corporate Events, Executive Meetings and Conferences, Exhibition Openings, Award Parties, Charity, and Public Events.
- Managed full-scale production of events with guest counts up to 15,000 and budgets up to $350,000.
- All aspects of event management including but not limited to: Location Scouting and Contracts, Client Proposals and Presentations, Menu Creation, Invitations, Entertainment, Audio Visual, Lighting, Rentals, Vendor Selections and Negotiations, Contracts, Site Plans, Timelines, Permits, and On-Site Management.
- Negotiated with vendors to receive average discount of 30% on all vendor services.
Director of Sales and Events
Event Solutions - Catering & Event Production
Santa Monica, CA
01.1995 - 05.2010
- Instrumental in company growth - from start-up, to multi-million dollar International corporation.
- Increased department revenue from startup to $5,500,000 within first five years.
- Developed corporate structure of catering and event sales department.
- Hired, trained and managed successful sales and event planning team of eight.
- Recruited, hired and managed executive team to include: Director of Food and Beverage, Executive Chef, Hiring Manager, and Director of Operations.
- Worked closely with executive team to create and implement policies and procedures to ensure smooth operation of all events.
- Created procedures and systems for event planning team to maximize efficiency and ensure client satisfaction.
- Managed smooth execution of close to 1,000 events annually with guest counts ranging from 25 to over 15,000 and budgets ranging from $20,000 - $500,000.
Skills
- Executive Level: Department Budgets & Profit Margins, P&Ls, Quality Control, Operations, Recruitment & Management of Department Heads, Development of new Profit Centers
- Managerial Level: Recruiting, Hiring, Training, Managing, Systems, Policies & Procedures Talent Development
- Event Level: Full-Scale Event Production and Management of Live events with guest counts up to 15,000 and budgets up to $500,000; Production and Management of Virtual events with budgets up to $250,000
- Fundraising: Expertise and proven track record of maximizing fundraising efforts through creative event production, skilled vendor negotiations, and active donor recruitment
- Catering and Event Sales, Menu Creation and Cost Analysis, Vendor Research, Selection, Negotiations, and Contracts, Event Design, Budgets, Department & Event Cost Containment
- Programs: Salesforce, Delphi, Amadeus, vFairs, Whova, Zoom, Caterease, Allseated, Visio, Meeting Matrix, Quickbooks, Microsoft Suite
Timeline
Catering & Event Sales Manager - Live & Virtual
UCLA Conference & Catering & UCLA Lake Arrowhead
04.2019 - Current
Founder & Lead Event Producer
Shannon Events, Inc
05.2010 - 04.2019
Director of Sales and Events
Event Solutions - Catering & Event Production
01.1995 - 05.2010
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