Zinhle Bekker

• Lead planner for high-profile sporting events, managing comprehensive event operations including vendor negotiations, logistics, hospitality, and volunteer coordination.
• Coordinate all aspects of event planning and execution, working cross-functionally with Event Directors and Local Organizing Committees (LOC) to align on shared event goals.
• Assist with management of event budgets, monitor financial progress, and invoicing and reporting to ensure fiscal accountability.
• Direct on-site production, including set-up and tear-down logistics, warehouse management, and real-time problem-solving during events.
• Serve as liaison during LOC meetings, ensuring timely completion of all event deliverables and facilitating clear communication among stakeholders.
• Prepare detailed after-action reports and contribute insights to strategic planning for future events.
• Events managed to date include:
  2024 Discover Big Ten Football Championship
  2024 Indy Classic powered by Sports Tech HQ
  NCAA Division II National Championships Festival
  2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship – Midwest Regional
  2025 National Invitation Tournament (NIT)
  2025 Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT)

• Assisted in the comprehensive planning, coordination, promotion, and execution of Indiana Sports Corp’s hosted events, contributing to both strategic and operational aspects.
• Led efforts in advanced planning and onsite logistics for various high-profile events, including venue setup, event execution, and teardown.
• Coordinated with vendors and partners to ensure seamless logistics, timely delivery, and quality execution of event components.
• Authored post-event after-action reports, identifying successes and areas for improvement for future event strategies.
• Managed warehouse operations, including inventory tracking, organization, and event-related equipment handling.
• Supported financial processes such as event invoicing, budget tracking, and periodic progress reporting for assigned events.
• Actively contributed to Indiana Sports Corp projects beyond events, including internal initiatives and cross-departmental tasks.
• Events supported during this period included:
  NBA All-Star Weekend 2024
  NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming & Diving National Championship
  Horizon League Basketball Championship
  2024 NCAA March Madness First & Second Rounds
  2024 National Invitation Tournament (NIT)
  2024 Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT)
  U.S. Olympic Swim Trials – Indianapolis
  Indiana Sports Corp Charity Golf Tournament
  Indiana Sports Corp Corporate Challenge
  

• As a graduate assistant, I worked with the Sport Management faculty and staff in various areas including academic programs, marketing, recruitment, research, and capacity building efforts.
• Updated departmental websites and social media accounts with relevant, engaging content.
• Developed and managed organized, orderly student databases and tracking systems.
• Devised and implemented strategies for engaging students in class discussions.
• Administered coursework, graded assignments and provided constructive feedback.

• I assisted with the overall planning and coordination of each Indiana Sports Corp hosted event. 
• I learnt about event operations, database entry and maintenance, advances planning and onsite logistics, participant servicing and registration, ticket services coordination, volunteer recruitment, communication and operations, hospitality assistance, meeting planning, and vendor order coordination. 
• I worked on the NCAA DII Swimming & Diving National Championship, NCAA DI Women's Golf Regionals, NCAA DII Women's Lacrosse Championships, and the Indiana Sports Corp Corporate Challenge. After my internship I was also a part of the Game Operations committee for the Indiana Sports Corp Charity Golf Tournament.

I was primarily responsible for the administration and supervision of the designated sports programs and activities, which may include but not be limited to Youth/Adult Sports, Gymnastics/Cheer/Tumbling, Dance and involvement with planning of Summer Sports Camp. 

• Additional duties include program development & promotion, Clinic coordination & instruction, and the supervision of the employees and volunteers, including assisting in hiring, training, scheduling and evaluating of employees and/or volunteers. 
• Responsibilities include maintaining and improving the quality and involvement and retention of participants and being aware of current trends in the field.

• Developed materials for classroom teachers to support instruction, lab work or in-class activities.
• Assisted the CDCGE to facilitate study and work abroad opportunities for students, fostering a global perspective and intercultural understanding.