Suzy Murton
Pittsburgh,PA
Summary
Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Logistics Supervisor
Society of Automotive Engineers International
12.2021 - Current
- Managed end-to-end planning and execution of 14+ annual flagship events (200–2,000 attendees; $200K–$2M budgets), consistently achieving 95% attendee satisfaction and meeting all KPI targets.
- Led cross-functional teams to enhance event logistics and customer experience while standardizing procedures and implementing advanced event-management software, reducing planning time by 20%.
- Developed and executed crisis-management and contingency plans, ensuring operational continuity, safety, and regulatory compliance.
- Negotiated client and vendor contracts to reduce costs by 10–15%, secure favorable terms, and increase profitability and service quality.
- Strengthened financial accuracy by auditing invoices and expense reports, reducing discrepancies by 30% and improving fiscal accountability.
- Partnered closely with procurement, warehouse, legal, and accounts-payable teams to support seamless end-to-end operations and streamlined workflows.
- Cultivated long-term client relationships through proactive communication and issue resolution, contributing to increased retention and repeat business.
- Supported recruitment, onboarding, and training efforts, improving team performance and accelerating ramp-up time for new hires.
Event & Account Manager
Stetson Convention Services
02.2019 - 09.2020
- Managed and executed 24+ annual large-scale events (500–5,000 attendees), overseeing expo design, attendee experience, and sponsor activations to deliver high-impact, brand-aligned experiences.
- Led a high-performing team of 6, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence in event planning and execution.
- Developed and managed event budgets, implementing strategic cost-saving initiatives that generated significant savings while preserving high-quality event delivery.
- Designed and produced immersive brand experiences by sourcing innovative materials, optimizing layouts, and reworking designs to align with client goals and enhance engagement.
Events Manager
Priory Hospitality Group
03.2017 - 06.2018
- Managed comprehensive operations for 150 diverse events, overseeing setup, logistics, catering, supplies, staff, and vendor coordination
- Optimized event planning processes by implementing efficient scheduling and vendor management systems, resulting in streamlined operations and significant cost reductions
- Demonstrated agile problem-solving skills, swiftly addressing on-site challenges to maintain event continuity and attendee satisfaction
Event Coordinator
Common Plea Catering
03.2013 - 02.2017
- Planned and executed 50+ private and corporate events annually, ensuring seamless coordination and high-quality guest experiences.
- Developed engaging, visually appealing, and fully customized menus tailored to client preferences, themes, and dietary requirements.
- Anticipated and resolved potential catering challenges through proactive planning, protecting service quality and event timelines.
- Collaborated closely with clients to understand and fulfill catering needs, driving high satisfaction rates and repeat business.
- Managed front-of-house staff and partnered with back-of-house teams to ensure flawless service execution and cohesive event operations.
Meeting & Events Planner
Concepts Management Group
07.2010 - 03.2013
- Organized 7+ mission-driven conferences, board meetings, and networking sessions, aligning event objectives
- Cultivated and maintained strategic partnerships with community organizations and local businesses to enhance event impact and further the organization's mission
- Implemented volunteer management strategies to engage community members and maximize limited resources
Education
No Degree - Communication
University of Colorado At Boulder
Boulder, COSkills
- Executive Event Leadership: Large-scale event strategy, multi-program portfolio management, end-to-end event lifecycle oversight, attendee experience optimization, exhibition & floorplan design
- Operational Excellence: Process improvement, workflow standardization, SOP development, quality assurance, regulatory and compliance alignment
- Strategic Planning & Execution: Long-range planning, cross-functional program alignment, resource allocation, organizational scalability
- Team & People Leadership: High-performance team management, talent development, delegation and oversight, culture building, cross-department leadership
- Stakeholder & Partner Management: Executive stakeholder engagement, vendor and sponsor relationship management, client partnership cultivation, executive-level communications
- Risk & Crisis Management: Proactive risk mitigation, crisis response leadership, contingency planning, operational continuity strategies
- Financial & Contract Governance: Budget ownership, financial modeling, cost optimization, contract negotiation, vendor performance evaluation, ROI analysis
- Technology & Systems Expertise:
Event Technology: Cvent, Social Tables
Project & Workflow Platforms: Smartsheet, Trello, Microsoft Teams, Slack
CRM, Finance & Ops Systems: NetSuite, Zendesk
Collaboration Tools: Google Workspace
Notable Events
- Formula SAE Internal Combustion and Electric Competitions, Managed logistics for a 5-day event with 2,000 attendees, 50 exhibitors, and a $1M budget. Orchestrated complex technical requirements for automotive engineering competitions while ensuring seamless attendee experience.
- Stetson Convention Services USA Gymnastics Expo, Led the execution of a 5,000-attendee trade show, coordinating 200+ exhibitors. Implemented innovative floor design that significantly increased foot traffic, enhancing exhibitor satisfaction and attendee engagement.
- Common Plea Catering Celebrity Wedding, Orchestrated a high-profile wedding for 500 guests, designing unique experiential elements that garnered media attention. Managed a team of professional staff and vendors to deliver a flawless, luxury event experience.
Timeline
Program Logistics Supervisor
Society of Automotive Engineers International
12.2021 - Current
Event & Account Manager
Stetson Convention Services
02.2019 - 09.2020
Events Manager
Priory Hospitality Group
03.2017 - 06.2018
Event Coordinator
Common Plea Catering
03.2013 - 02.2017
Meeting & Events Planner
Concepts Management Group
07.2010 - 03.2013
No Degree - Communication
University of Colorado At Boulder