MARIE CHRIS BARCELON
Event Management Professional
Dubai,DU
Summary
High-performing Event Manager with extensive portfolio of international and domestic project accomplishments spanning over 15 years. Outgoing, hands-on professional bringing valuable relationship building and retention skills, which amassed diversified network of service providers, ensuring optimal quality and results for successful client events.
Overview
4
4
years of post-secondary education
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
OPERATIONS MANAGER, ARAB HEALTH | MEDLAB
Informa Middle East - Project Based
Dubai, DU
11.2019 - 03.2020
- Delivered high profile Executive Gala Dinner for international health experts
- Managed catering and onsite requirements of more than 2000 delegates and attendees.
- Managed and implemented sponsor deliverables.
- Speaker management and DTCM speaker application.
- Provided and implemented onsite branding plan
- Coordinated requirements to secure industry accreditation
- High level collaboration with various teams to sign off collaterals and having them produced.
- Implemented event staging and general look and feel.
- Oversaw and improved event deliveries through efficient coordination of daily operations.
- Coordinated visits and provided briefs to very important personnel (VIPs) improving knowledge and awareness of operational activities
- Reduced average contract expenses through aggressive negotiations with vendors.
Head of Event Operations
HEAD OF OPERATIONS | ADVANCED CONFERENCES & MEETINGS FZ LLC
Dubai, DU
01.2014 - 01.2019
- Led and managed operational requirements of business while ensuring that events are delivered to high standards, met agreed budget, performance, quality and customer service.
- Secured event venues, AV and other event supplies ensuring quality of service and cost competitiveness.
- Obtained licenses, documentation and permits for compliance by authorities for events in EMEA
- Led site visits and pre-event meetings with stakeholders to discuss flow and overview of event as well as identify any areas of concern.
- Collaborated with Marketing for onsite branding plan
- Prepared operational budget forecasting and post-event budget reconciliation.
- Saved 30% on costs by implementing cost-saving initiatives that addressed long-standing problems.
- Worked closely with Sales and Production to maintain optimum levels of communication to effectively and efficiently complete projects.
- Handled day-to-day running of operations department, ensuring high levels of productivity and progression.
- Prepared variety of different written communications, reports and documents to ensure smooth operations.
- Drove operational improvements which resulted in savings and improved profit margins.
- Created plans and communicated deadlines to ensure projects were completed on time.
- Monitored all company inventory to ensure stock levels and databases were updated.
- Developed and implemented performance improvement strategies and plans to promote continuous improvement of staff.
- Evaluated suppliers by assessing quality, timeliness and compliance of deliveries to maintain tight cost controls and maximize business operational efficiency.
- Managed administrative logistics of events planning, including contract signing, fee collection, event booking and event promotions.
- Evaluated existing plans, processes and events planning services to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Supported senior leadership by developing status reports on activities related to planning, scheduling, cancellation, inquiries, resourcing, risk mitigation and proposal development for various events.
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Index Conference and Exhibitions
Dubai, DU
07.2013 - 12.2021
- Planned, managed, monitored and evaluated defined events, including proposing theme, venue and agenda.
- Managed project team's activities, including providing appropriate flow of information within teams and with stakeholders, arranging and coordinating team meetings, following up action on decisions taken and ensuring that appropriate records are kept, and reports are provided on all aspects of project.
- Key liaison between client, divisional manager, in-house designers and other 3rd party vendors leading up to event, ensuring that both client and event requirements are met.
- Created new marketing strategies with goal of generating new opportunities for sales team.
- Set, enforced and optimized internal policies to maintain efficiency and responsiveness to demands.
- Developed project management roadmap to define project objectives, timelines and milestones.
SENIOR EVENTS & VENUES CONTRACTS MANAGER
IQPC MIDDLE EAST DUBAI, UAE
Dubai, DU
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Key liaison with suppliers and maintained reliable partners in EMEA
- Research, negotiation, acquisition and management of venues used for majority of IQPC events held in GCC, Egypt, South Africa, India and Turkey.
- Led site inspection, supplier briefs, cost control and budget
- Managed and trained operations managers for IQPC's satellite offices in South Africa and India.
- Delivered conference material such as agenda, workbooks and CDs, onsite branding, delegate lists, badges and many others.
- Worked closely with team to put together floor plans, timelines and working agendas for each event.
- Responsible for post-event wrap including sending distribution of presentations and certificates to participants, closing conference budgets and providing feedback to project team.
- Fulfilled contractual obligations, including communications, vendor coordination, schedule creation, budget administration and rehearsal and day of event coordination.
- Supervised onsite team, including caterers, audio-visual technicians, and facility management team.
- Supported senior leadership by developing status reports on activities related to planning, scheduling, cancellation, inquiries, resourcing, risk mitigation and proposal development for various events.
- Supervised onsite team of 10-20, including caterers, audio-visual technicians, and facility management team.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communication
Colegio De San Juan De Letran
Manila, Philippines 06.1994 - 03.1998
Skills
Cost reduction strategies
Accomplishments
- Developed the policies and procedures for operational best practice for ACM Events from its start-up phase.
- Played a key role in the company's profitability by decreasing costs a minimum of 30% against budget through supplier negotiation and built relationships.
- Delivered high end conferences and worked with prestigious and important entities including royal families, Ministry of Interior, Abu Dhabi Municipality, Dubai Municipality, Etihad ESCO, DEWA and other government authorities.
- Managed and executed more than 300 small, medium and large-scale conferences including events in challenging countries of conflict, MOI Innovation Summit - Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Vice President of UAE and Minister of Interior.
Timeline
OPERATIONS MANAGER, ARAB HEALTH | MEDLAB
Informa Middle East - Project Based
11.2019 - 03.2020
Head of Event Operations
HEAD OF OPERATIONS | ADVANCED CONFERENCES & MEETINGS FZ LLC
01.2014 - 01.2019
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Index Conference and Exhibitions
07.2013 - 12.2021
SENIOR EVENTS & VENUES CONTRACTS MANAGER
IQPC MIDDLE EAST DUBAI, UAE
01.2008 - 01.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Communication
Colegio De San Juan De Letran
06.1994 - 03.1998
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