Melissa Merritt

Experience

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  New England Dragway Inc

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2007

  Event Support Staff

  •Supervised racing event personnel to ensure an orderly flow in the event program.•Coordinated logistic preparations for major events.•Provided support to the management team with event and meeting preparation, proofing of promotional materials, ticket distribution, contingency awards, etc.

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  Verizon

  Jan 2003 - Jan 2016

  •Flawless execution of executive briefings and Verizon Innovation Center’s special events, hosting C Level executives.•Collaborated with sales teams to develop agendas strategically aligned to the customer and account teams' objectives.•Supervised daily event operation of the centers in Waltham and San Francisco, managed and maintained responsibility for the Innovation Center programs and facilities, including operating infrastructure, customer-focused logistics, hospitality, and relationships with external and internal vendors (catering, building maintenance and real estate).•Oversaw operational components for the construction of the new briefing center in San Francisco including facility set up, new staffing, vendors and suppliers. Show less •Manage high level, regional meetings and events including Annual New England Kick Off, VZW Leadership Meetings, President’s Leadership Challenge Recognition Events, Indirect Agent Annual Kick Offs and 4th Quarter Summits, 4th Quarter Regional Kick Offs, product launch events, plus celebrity appearances ensuring that no detail was overlooked.•Conceptualized and developed product launch and integration campaigns.•Orchestrated over 25 regional sponsorships, including the Boston Bruins and Celtics, maximizing the components of each contract and negotiating renewals to ensure the highest ROI. Show less

  • Northeast Retail Operations Senior Manager

    Jan 2014 - Jan 2016

  • Executive Briefing Program Manager

    Jan 2013 - Jan 2014

  • Senior Analyst - Marketing, Events and Sponsorships

    Jan 2003 - Jan 2013
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  Mickey Adventures

  Jan 2015 - Dec 2019

  Independent Travel Consultant

  •Client travel management including itinerary planning and overall client support.•Managed all business components such as communications, social media, marketing, etc.•Trade show/event management plus directed local sponsorships & community partnerships to build brand awareness.

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  JCo Travel

  Dec 2019 - now

  Provide personalized services with a seamless and simplified travel management process for personal vacations or group travels. Execute all travel components with exceptional attention to detail:•Personal & Family Vacations•Recognition or Incentive Trips•Special Interest, Client, and Executive Retreats•Leadership & Sales Meetings•Destination Weddings•Social Groups & Clubs•Reunions•Celebration Travel for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, etc.Destinations include ocean cruises, river cruises, private yacht charters, all-inclusive resorts, escorted land tours, theme parks, and more. Show less Corporate & Small Business groups, including incentives and recognition trips, executive retreats, client retreats, leadership meetings, sales meetings, team building, etc.Clients receive a unique design of travel programs that will engage and motivate your teams, driving sales and business development results. I manage and streamline all of the travel and event planning. •Researching the best-fit options and evaluating the venues to ensure they check all the boxes for your event needs•Facilitating RFPs directly with suppliers and negotiating for optimal pricing, attrition, concessions, and current promotions on your behalf•Management of contracts, timeline, budget, and, if needed, event planning•Organize site visits for yourself and your executive team•Liaison to coordinate all travel plansDestinations include all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean, ocean cruises, river cruises, private yacht charters, and more. Show less From family celebrations and reunions to girl's getaways to vacations with your wine or book club, fundraising group to a wellness retreat with your yoga class, traveling together strengthens your friendships and family connections.•Provide vacation options that fit the group•Single point of contact for everyone•One-on-one planning sessions•Custom itinerary for the group with destination-specific insider info, specifics to the resort, and recommendations•Exclusive excursion options•Dining recommendations and group reservations as needed•Transfer management•Travel insurance information•Travel policies and updates such as testing and vaccination requirements, ensuring you have the correct government forms and website information, resort & destination testing options, etc.•Calendar/important date reminders •24/7 support while you are traveling, so you have peace of mind that if any issues come upDestinations include ocean cruises, river cruises, private yacht charters, all-inclusive resorts, escorted land tours, and more. Show less Providing memorable travel planning for client's Destination Wedding where each bride and groom receive a tailored approach to deliver a unique experience.•Assist in determining the preferred wedding locations & venues, ceremony preferences, and how the destination and travel arrangements align with the bride and groom's vision.•A single point of contact throughout the planning process•Liaison to manage all travel plans for bride and groom plus all the guests•Maximization of group benefits with the resort•Recommendation of private vendors with exclusive pricing•Guidance on contracts, timelines, budget, and overall wedding planning•24/7 support while you are traveling, so you have peace of mind that if any issues come upDestinations include all-inclusive resorts, ocean cruises, private yachts, river cruises, etc. Show less Whether a solo traveler or a multi-generation family vacation, clients have wonderful travel experiences with a curated, organized, stress-free planning process.•Provide vacation options that fit the client's specific preferences•Single point of contact throughout all of the planning•One-on-one planning sessions•Custom itinerary with destination-specific insider info and recommendations•Excursion planning•Dining recommendations and reservations as needed•Transfer management•Travel insurance information•Travel policies and updates such as testing and vaccination requirements, ensuring you have the correct government forms and website information, resort & destination testing options, etc.•Calendar/important date reminders •24/7 support while you are traveling, so you have peace of mind that if any issues come upDestinations include ocean cruises, river cruises, private yacht charters, all-inclusive resorts, escorted land tours, and more. Show less

  • Independent Travel Consultant

    Dec 2019 - now

  • Corporate & Small Business Groups

    Dec 2019 - now

  • Social Groups

    Dec 2019 - now

  • Destination Weddings

    Dec 2019 - now

  • Vacations (Solo, Couples & Families)

    Dec 2019 - now