Chase Brunson, CMP, DES

Experience

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  Texas A&M University

  Apr 2013 - Nov 2017

  -Assisted in supervision of 200 team members over 150 individual areas for all major campus events while directing customer relations.-Managed parking and flow of traffic for 200,000 customers alongside director team.-Organized bookings and collected payment of advance parking, tailgating, and event space sales. -Managed daily activities including greeting and supporting visitingstudents, calling potential donors and securing new donorrelationships, and overseeing Coordinator’s schedule-Organized large-scale outreach events to connect students,alumni, and community members such as Lavender Graduation,Rainbow Reading Days, Trans Clothing Drive, and Coming OutMonologues • Transported and interacted with hundreds of customers around campus daily• Effectively communicated directions and instructions to drivers over the radio• Coordinated and directed 200 drivers on their routes and managed issues they had

  • Special Events Coordinator

    Apr 2013 - Nov 2017

  • Office Manager in the Office of the Dean of Student Life

    Apr 2015 - Jan 2016

  • Bus Driver/Dispatcher

    Apr 2013 - Oct 2015
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  Oregon Society of CPAs

  Nov 2017 - Aug 2019

  -Spearheaded conference and event logistics including speaker vetting, marketing distribution, and onsite coordination for 200 events and 20 conferences. -Established reputation for delivering high performing and profitable conferences and events by redesigning content delivery, increasing targeted marketing, collaborating with stakeholders to improve organizational branding, and raising member satisfaction.-Created direct mail and e-publication targeted marketing campaigns, developed and produced brochures, programs, and e-newsletters, ran social media marketing, and moderated member forums. -Achieved a 20% increase in event attendance resulting in a $70,000 profit increase, reduced excess expenses by 5%, and developed 10 new events and 3 conferences.-Served as liaison for 20 committees composed of 300 volunteers, and managed procurement of vendors, exhibitors, audiovisual suppliers, facility contacts, and other key stakeholders.-Implemented new technology into event strategic plan including event app, floor plan simulation, and live-streaming leading to increased member satisfaction, engagement, and reach. Show less

  • Conference Manager

    Feb 2018 - Aug 2019

  • Seminar Coordinator

    Nov 2017 - Feb 2018
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  Embassy Suites

  Aug 2019 - Jun 2020

  Convention Services Manager

  -Directed design and set-up, staffing, and catering of trade shows, conferences, seminars, and social events through 24,000 square ft of meeting space. -Tracked group room block attrition, catering minimum, and room rental fees for weekly revenue forecast while assisting clients with budget management.-Advised and collaborated with clients through contract negotiation and execution to ensure legal obligations were met. -Proactively communicated with banquets, front desk, housekeeping, operations, and reception desk teams to ensure client event expectations were met. -Managed banquet staff scheduling, assigned job duties, and supervised front and back of house operations. Show less

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  Chasing Changes Diversity Training & Consulting

  Oct 2019 - Nov 2023

  Founder

  Chasing Changes provides inclusive training and diversity consulting services to businesses and organizations. Reach out today to learn how diversity and inclusion practices can enhance your bottom line.

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  The Rise School of Austin

  Aug 2020 - May 2021

  Marketing and Development Manager

  -Managed targeted marketing campaigns, social media strategy, and large-scale events that solicited donors and sponsors to fund Rise’s million dollar development budget.-Developed marketing strategies focused on raising Rise's brand awareness resulting in an increase in social media followers and engagements.-Pioneered the shift to a virtual Gala, significantly increasing donor engagement resulting in a record-breaking fundraiser.

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  Austin Bar Association

  May 2021 - Jul 2022

  Event Director

  -Served as staff liaison for 26 individual sections of law comprised of over 3000 members by managing live, virtual, and hybrid events including professional development seminars, socials, fundraisers, and trainings.-Organized and managed association events from creation to execution including: venue RFPs, contract negotiation, event registration, live-streaming and recording of content, and speaker selection.-Managed on-demand adult learning library, ensuring courses matched MCLE accreditation standards. Show less

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  Local Queer

  Jan 2022 - now

  Co-Founder

  Local Queer is Austin's largest queer social organization. With a focus on sapphic and transgender identities, Local Queer creates spaces for the most marginalized within the greater queer community. Since its inception in 2022, Local Queer has welcomed thousands of attendees to events that span a wide range of interests.In response to continued targeted attacks on transgender Texans, the Local Queer Foundation, a 501(c)(3) was established and recognized as a tax exempt charitable organization in 2024. At its inaugural fundraising event, Transistance, over $8,000 was raised to assist transgender Texans in receiving identification that matches their true identity. Show less

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  AffiniPay

  Jul 2022 - Jul 2023

  Internal Events and Travel Manager

  Planned and produced internal corporate events for 500+ employees across the US and Canada and managed travel budget overseeing flights, lodging, and transportation for employees and executives. -Managed companywide travel policy with regards to bookings, expense management, and policy break enforcement. -Managed live and virtual components of company-wide meetings, annual companywide kick-off, board meetings, user conferences, and executive and departmental off-sites including budgeting, sourcing, and contracting. Show less

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  Project Management Institute

  Aug 2023 - Apr 2024

  Event Manager - Virtual

  -Led end-to-end logistics for PMI's largest global event by organizing strategy meetings with stakeholders, managing virtual platform design, and directing content and programming plan.-Boosted event attendance through a robust, education-focused program resulting in a record breaking 82,000 registrations.-Slashed event budget via strategic contract negotiation and vendor selection.-Managed sponsor procurement, communication, and reporting and designed tradeshow floor.-Orchestrated switch from live event platform to on-demand content. Show less