Keely East

Experience

• 

  Sonoma State University

  Aug 1999 - Sept 2002

  Conference Catering Coordinator (06/2002-09/2002) & Other Positions

  Other Jobs I held while attending school and earning my degree:Conferences, Events and Catering Student Assistant/Intern (01/2002 – 06/2002)Parking Information Personnel (05/2001 – 01/2002) Cafeteria and Catering Positions (08/1999 – 05/2002)

• 

  Rooster Run Golf Club and Banquet Facility

  Sept 2002 - Apr 2005

  Catering Sales Director & Assistant Food and Beverage Director

  Increased catering sales revenue in first year by $100,000. Sell and coordinate all details for clients hosting weddings, special events, golf tournaments and corporate meetings. Manage, schedule and direct staff of 10-25 people including Banquet Manager, Captains, Servers, Chefs, front and back of house. Plan off-site promotions, advertising, and create all marketing materials. Finalize end of month costs and inventory. Adhere to yearly budget requirements.

• 

  Sweetly Planned

  Nov 2002 - Apr 2006

  Wedding Planner, Specialist and Consultant - Owner

  Manage client budgets, venue selection, vendor liaison, menu planning, time line creation, all aspects of wedding planning details.

• 

  Petaluma Valley Athletic Club

  Apr 2005 - Apr 2006

  Assistant Club Manager and Special Event Coordinator

  Sell club memberships and give tours of the facility. Manage the Front Desk, Café and Kid’s Care Staff (15-20 employees). Coordinate all special events; holiday parties, tennis tournaments and member relation events. Maintain and create all marketing materials for promotions and events. All administrative duties including purchasing, payroll, scheduling, organization of petty cash fund and making deposits.

• 

  Centara Capital Management Company

  Jul 2006 - Jul 2007

  Marketing Events Specialist

  Coordinate all marketing events. Objectives to include: new business, third party/broker dealer connections, recruiting, business development, client retention, referrals, public and community awareness and employee relations. Network within many organizations for Business Development purposes. Administer sponsorship opportunities and charity involvement while managing all memberships and affiliations with multiple organizations. Create marketing collateral, Power Point presentations, invitations and newsletters distributed internally, to the public and to clients. Manage defined event budgets and run reports to help track marketing efforts. Show less

• 

  San Diego Zoo Global

  Oct 2007 - Oct 2015

  Manage the Event Operations Team. Assign all events and give support during the planning process and on day of as needed. Create and update standard operating procedures, request forms, internal documents and training manual. Manage and update Event Software (Reserve and Meeting Matrix) and train employees on proper use. Adhere to strict budgets and goals. In-directly manage the Sales Team by running up-to-date reports to oversee the status of any new inquiries and tentative bookings. Continue with duties described below as the Event Sales Coordinator. Show less Serve as the client’s main point of contact from beginning of the planning process to on-site the day/night of. Menu planning, time line creation, set-up details (floor plan), arranging for entertainment and vendors. Complete all internal and external paperwork by set deadlines. Clearly communicate with 10+ departments to ensure successful event execution. Manage volunteers for events.as duties described below.Specifically assigned to manage all animal/exhibit grand openings and celebrations in collaberation with the Development team to include Tiger Trail, Koalafornia, and all future Centennial festivities. Assigned to all VIP clients and high profile programs with progressive layouts and exceptional details including 7000-10,000 guest buy-out events and all events, including weddings, with budgets of over $100,000. Show less

  • Special Events Supervisor

    Sept 2012 - Oct 2015

  • Event Sales Coordinator & Wedding Specialist

    Oct 2007 - Sept 2012
• 

  La Mode College

  Jun 2015 - Nov 2016

  International Marketing Manager USA and Course Supervisor

  Independent Contractor. Manage and track marketing details for the trade school while working remotely from home office and communicating effectively via Skype and email with the college director. Mentor and counsel current/future/potential students on course related details. Work withlocal vendors in each student’s home town to create partnerships and cultivate internships for students after course completion.

• 

  Meze Greek Fusion Cuisine

  Oct 2015 - Dec 2016

  Event and Marketing Manager

  Independent Contractor.Advertise, Market and Promote Events for the Restaurant. Sell banquets, special events and catering. Operate all in-house events and facilitate off site catering and catering deliveries. Direct a banquet team of 1-15 to ensure a smooth and successful event from beginning to end. Create marketing materials, event brochures, packets and catering guides. Determine new locations to advertise. Connect with other venues and maintain connections with convention center, visit San Diego and other event planners and destination management companies. Show less

• 

  San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

  Jan 2017 - now

  Lead and support a team of 16 to sell and execute over 1120 Events and 80 Weddings a year between the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. Facilitate all onboarding and training. Manage and maintain the event calendar and assign all events. Collaborate with top level management and support teams to establish best practices and standard operating procedures. Logistics and Project Manager of the annual Food, Wine and Brew Celebration involving over 100 marketing deliverables, 180 vendors, 200 volunteers, Extensive Rental Agreements, Live Entertainment in all Party Zones, Sponsors, and scheduling of over 75 employees for the event. Serve as the organization's "expert" in selling and creating the most unique events that require high-level and analytic programs ensuring unforgettable experiences for clients such as Young President's Organization (YPO), Association of Zoo's and Aquariums (AZA), San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA), The Galvin Family, and International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). Show less Execute 10-15 events a month. Serve as the client’s main point of contact from beginning of the planning process to on-site the day/night of. Menu planning, time line creation, set-up details (floor plan), arranging for entertainment and vendors. Complete all internal and external paperwork by set deadlines. Clearly communicate with 10+ departments to ensure successful event execution. Manage volunteers for events. Facilitate all documents and necessary details of hired vendors and ensure all load-in and strike logistics are navigated in the best interest of the organization. Show less Complete tasks as assigned for all major fundraising events with primary focus on the top two largest being the RITZ black-tie gala in June and the Food, Wine & Brew Celebration in September. Oversee the RITZ auction committee while managing all aspects from solicitation to night of set-up and claims for the silent and live auction. Surpassed fundraising goals and all historic totals. In 2019, the silent auction alone raised over $96,000 with the total net just over 1.9 million. Oversee all aspects of marketing and advertising for the Food, Wine & Brew Celebration. Create and manage the production schedule of over 100 deliverable for the event. Contract and confirm all major sponsors for Food, Wine & Brew. Serve as the Event Guest Services manager on the night of the event. Show less

  • Manager, Catering and Event Sales

    Jul 2021 - now

  • Event Sales Coordinator

    Jan 2020 - Jul 2021

  • Development Special Events Coordinator

    Jan 2017 - Jan 2020