Karishma Lakhwani

Marketing & Communications:

• Developed and executed integrated marketing campaigns across multiple channels (digital, social media, PR) to increase brand visibility and drive revenue.
• Managed and optimized marketing budgets, maximizing ROI through strategic resource allocation.
• Created and managed engaging social media campaigns.
• Collaborated with design and media teams to develop high-quality creative assets.

Event Planning & Execution:

• Successfully planned and executed high-profile events across the UAE, Qatar, and KSA, including conferences, exhibitions, awards galas, educational seminars, networking events and corporate meetings.
• Developed and implemented detailed event budgets, timelines, and contingency plans.
• Managed all aspects of event logistics, including venue selection, catering, A/V, and transportation.
• Trained and supervised event staff to ensure efficient and timely event and exhibition production and execution.
• Analyzed event costs to identify areas for improvement and cost savings.
• Developed creative themes for events and created related activities to engage attendees.

Sponsorship Development & Management:

• Developed and negotiated tailored sponsorship packages to meet partner needs and objectives.
• Organized and executed successful sponsored events, effectively coordinating logistics and partner involvement.
• Increased event revenue through effective negotiation of sponsorship agreements.

Venue & Vendor Management:

• Skillfully negotiated contracts with venues, while maintaining high-quality standards.
• Researched and identified new vendors and suppliers to obtain competitive pricing.
• Negotiated contracts with venues, vendors, and suppliers to obtain best rates and services.

Budget Management & Financial Planning:

• Managed and controlled event expenditures effectively, ensuring events were executed within budget.
• Contributed to annual budget planning by accurately forecasting sponsorship revenues and expenses.

Team Leadership & Management:

• Managed and supervised marketing team and event staff, fostering a cohesive and high-performing team environment.
• Provided leadership direction and ensured excellent customer service delivery.

Project Management & Execution:

• Developed comprehensive project plans, outlining milestones, deadlines, and deliverables for successful conference organization.
• Adhered to strict compliance and legal requirements for event planning, mitigating potential risks.

Continuous Improvement:

• Evaluated post-conference feedback from attendees to enhance satisfaction rates.
• Evaluated post-event evaluations to assess the success of sponsorships and identify areas for improvement in future collaborations.
• Developed detailed event reports, documenting all aspects of each event.

• Identified and pursued valuable business opportunities to generate new company revenue and improve bottom line profit.
• Developed new proposals, contracts and procedures to draw in more clients and streamline work operations.
• Utilized market trends and target audience statistics to effectively and appropriately market brand products.
• Developed and implemented marketing strategies to use for launches, rebranding campaigns and promotions.
• Managed administrative logistics, operations, planning, booking, of BTL activations, Events & Exhibitions.
• Oversaw preparation and management of budgets to deliver at or below projected costs.
• Liaised with clients to determine exact event/activation requirements.
• Nurtured and built relationships with vendors, venues and industry contacts to obtain best pricing and services for events/ brand activations.
• Produced detailed proposals to document timelines, suppliers and budgets.
• Utilized social media to promote events/activations and increase attendance or brand awareness for their target audience.
• Negotiated contracts with venues, vendors and suppliers to obtain best rates and services.
• Oversaw 5-7 monthly projects from concept through completion.
• Managed workflow between staff, coordinating documents, planning, Print and creative material distribution.
• Recruited and hired capable team members to add value and diverse skills set to marketing department.

• Managed and oversaw multiple projects monthly to drive quality, accuracy and deadline management.
• Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders, vendors and industry influencers to create positive brand experiences.
• Researched and identified new opportunities for product and brand development.
• Developed and executed branding campaigns to educate target audiences on product features, benefits and values.
• Oversaw preparation of marketing copy, images, videos, emails, and other collateral.
• Created and managed social media campaigns to increase brand engagement.
• Managed budget allocation and resource utilization to maximize activation ROI.
• Led team of marketing professionals, offering mentoring and coaching to build knowledge and skills.
• Monitored and evaluated BTL marketing activations, events, concerts, exhibitions and advertising campaigns to support their consistency and engagement.
• Coordinated with design and social media teams to develop high-quality creative assets.
• Analyzed and reported on KPIs to validate and demonstrate success of marketing campaigns.
• Oversaw new business development to generate sales leads, negotiate client pricing and forecast revenue.

• Attended networking events to build relationships and identify sales opportunities.
• Planned and executed marketing campaigns to target groups, areas and wider community.
• Implemented key initiatives and activities aligned with brand strategy and brand advocacy.
• Completed and submitted monthly and yearly reports to support executive decision making.
• Evaluated and selected service providers and vendors according to activation/ event requirements.
• Created and maintained activation/ event expenditures, budgets and timelines in job-related software.
• Reviewed event bills to confirm accuracy and approve payment.
• Communicated with vendors, lighting and sound companies to obtain price quotes.
• Hired, trained and supervised volunteers and support staff required for events, exhibitions and BTL Activations.
• Managed event & activations logistics and operations.
• Coordinated schedules and timelines for events.
• Developed post-event reports to determine effectiveness of each event.
• Acquired contracts and agreements to finalize negotiations and obtain approval signatures.

• Arranged meetings and liaised with clients to understand their requirements
• Wrote status reports throughout the duration of projects to keep clients and peers updated
• Met with vendors to assess products, inquire about services and negotiate pricing.
• Updated customer database and generated lists and counts for direct marketing projects.
• Tracked trade show expenses to maintain budget.
• Onboarded new team members and coached personnel in marketing tasks.
• Acquired contracts and agreements to finalize negotiations and obtain approval signatures.