George Robinson, CMP

Experience

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  Hilton Atlanta

  Mar 1987 - Feb 1997

  - Charged with the Management and Operations of approximately 25 conferences, conventions, and trade shows of varying size and complexity annually at this property. - Established and maintained excellent rapport with hotel’s clients, utilizing industry-proven customer service techniques. - Active as member of the hotel’s Revenue Maximization (Yield Management) committee, making recommendations to the General Manager and Rooms Division Manager on room block allocation control for all groups and market segments. - Monitored room block pick-up and adjusted commitments accordingly. - Conducted site inspections with prospective, tentative, and definite account clients and programmed room block and meeting space needs. - Communicated with group’s previous destinations to obtain the group history, in order to accurately prepare forecasts reports. - Conducted pre-convention meetings and generated post-convention reports within 14 days of their conclusion. - Worked with the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and representatives from other major hotels to book and coordinate large citywide conventions. - Point person for all client-Hotel interactions and was liaison that ensured that all client’s meeting needs, from food and beverage arrangements to sleeping rooms and function space management, were met and exceeded Show less - Managed staff of 35 security officers, supervisors, and administrative staff, reporting to the Director of Security. - Lead investigator for incidents involving property loss and accidents- Hotel CPR Instructor and Hazardous Materials Coordinator, in accordance with OSHA guidelines. - Trained in basic first aid and fire emergency response (through the Atlanta Fire Department). - Former member of the GA Law Enforcement and Security Association (GALES).- Opened the Hilton Atlanta Airport (was responsible for the development of security operations at this property) Show less

  • Meetings & Conventions Manager

    Jan 1992 - Feb 1997

  • Assistant Director of Security

    Mar 1987 - Jan 1992
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  Neighborhood Reinvestment Coroporation

  Apr 1997 - Nov 1999

  Senior Meeting Planner

  A congressionally-funded private corporation dedicated to affordable housing and community development (now called Neighborworks America)- Planned and managed 20 conferences annually, each with their own exhibit show component, annually at this congressionally funded non-profit dedicated to the improvement of America’s neighborhoods. - Managed a staff of 6, which included meeting planners, registration database administrators, and other production support staff. - Tasked to oversee production and logistics of conference materials and in charge of the Corporation’s trade show and exhibition production crews. - Provided leadership and expertise to evaluate and enhance the Corporation’s existing conferences and events. Developed relationships with the member bureaus of the IACVB and various national hotel sales representatives. - Supported the corporate mission by providing meetings logistics management of annual training institutes in six-metropolitan cities with an average of 2,500 room nights and utilizing approximately 40,000 square feet of meeting and conference, and exhibit space each. - Was responsible for conference venue site selection, contract negotiation, budget development and overall department administration Show less

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  Spelman College

  Jan 2000 - Jun 2003

  Director of Special Events

  4-year liberal arts historically-Black college for women- Directly responsible for the management and operation of all official College events such as academic conferences, dedications, ceremonies, diplomatic visits, seminars, symposia, guest lectures, alumni events, and college celebrations.- In charge of all exhibit logistics for approximately 24 recruitment fairs across the country, including determining event staffing and contract labor needs, shipping and transportation of personnel. - In charge of a staff of 50 employees, in addition to contracted events production personnel and volunteers. - Worked directly with the College’s Executive Committee, including the President, in the development and planning of stewardship and recognition events in line with the Master Plan of the College. - Charged with the development of the Department’s Strategic Planning, Coordinates theatrical staging and performances, multimedia equipment and lighting, concert sound production, and technical and special effects. - Handled the development and management of event budgets and provides financial oversight of revenues and expenses. - Chaired various committees such as the International Philosophy and Literature Conference committee, Commencement Committee, Inaugural Committee, etc. Planned all capital expenditures for the department. - Served as the College’s Facilities Manager, overseeing the operations of the conference center and other state-of-the-art event venues, including audiovisual services, sales and facility reservations, food and beverage (catering and concessions) management, and overall facility maintenance and upkeep. Show less

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  InfoComm International

  Nov 2003 - Nov 2004

  Event Manager

  Also known as International Communications Industries Association - the premier trade association for the audiovisual industry- Manager of the Events Department for this non-profit association for the audiovisual industry. - Responsible for the planning and execution of the educational conference logistics of InfoComm Expo, the association’s 25,000-attendee annual Trade Show. Develops budgets, establishes meeting timeline, oversees event marketing efforts, contracts with vendors for every aspect of current event technology (video production, lighting, audio, display systems, special effects, pyrotechnics, etc.) - Managed exhibit booth construction, decorator/drayage company relations; works with exhibition appointed contractors, coordinates show floor security; responsible for loading dock traffic control. - Executive Producer of all educational events. Develop strategic plan for the Events Department. - Oversight of the customer service/support with regard to the delivery of electronic education products. - Scheduled instructors and guest speakers for educational events within the Academy (headquarters) and off-site, at various conferences, seminars and trade shows produced by International Communications Industries Association, both domestically and overseas, including Asia/Pacific Rim, Europe and Australia Show less

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  Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

  Dec 2004 - Jun 2006

  Senior Convention Services Manager

  The Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel- Oversight of exhibitions, meeting logistics, food and beverage requirements, audiovisual needs, guest room block management, VIP arrangements, ground transportation, etc. The main liaison between the hotel and the convention client. - Responsible for managing the entire scope of hotel services required to support the successful execution of client’s meeting. Well versed in the operation of every hotel department. - Handled approximately 8 exhibit shows and 60 events annually.- Managed the large convention market, including citywide conventions and full-scale in-house groups.- Responsible for hotel revenue goals exceeding $2.5 million annually. Forecasts hotel occupancy and food and beverage revenue expectations on a monthly basis and monitors revenue-generating activities to ensure goals are met, if not exceeded Show less

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  In Any Event

  Jun 2006 - Jun 2007

  President/CEO

  Entreprenuer - Private Event Management Consultant- Worked as an independent consultant, providing event management solutions to private customers- Responsible for the leadership and direction of the Event Management team including Catering/Convention Services, Conference Set-up and Exhibit Hall.- Develop the annual Event Management strategic plan and ensure all convention functions adhere to the required goals and objectives

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  Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria

  Jun 2007 - now

  - Accountable leadership of catering sales managers and convention services managers and proactively soliciting and handling catering related opportunities with significant revenue potential. - Works to develop, build and maintain long-term, value-based group customer relationships in order to achieve personal and team related revenue goals. - Responsible for team achievement of catering revenue goal of over $2 million annually. - Manages and coordinates catering and convention services activities associated with planning, supervising and executing functions and events for group meetings - Develops and distributes all communications relating to planning and execution of group functions, including, but not limited to, group resumes, event orders and diagrams (Meeting Matrix)- Oversees the development, implementation and sustaining of aggressive solicitation program focused on increasing business - Ensures business is turned over properly and in a timely fashion for proper service delivery. - Responsible for driving customer loyalty by delivering service excellence throughout each customer experience. Responsible for reporting out on group, corporate and local/social catering compared to budget and forecast.- Responsible for forecasting, budgeting and business plan relating to but not limited to Hotel Catering Revenue. - Reviews sales and catering guest satisfaction results to identify areas of improvement. - Displays leadership in guest hospitality, exemplifies customer service and creates a positive example for guest relations - Meets with guests during pre- and post-convention meetings to obtain feedback on quality of product (e.g., rooms, meeting facilities and equipment, food and beverage), service levels, execution against contract and overall satisfaction. - Conducts annual performance appraisal with direct reports according to Standard Operating Procedures Show less - Provided targeted event and lodging solutions to clients in the Association, Government, Religious and Reunion markets.- Incented to exceed room nights, food and beverage, ADR and average check and overall revenue goals by no less than 100%- Handled all phases of contract negotiation from the point of business qualification to closing- Was responsible for achieving or exceeding revenue goals on nearly $1 million (combined rooms and F&B revenue).- Was also responsible for the assisting the hotel achieve or exceed RevPAR index of 121.- Market leader: aggressive domination of the competitive set, responsible for increasing market share within respective area of deployment year over year.- Sought new business from other markets to attract to property.- Attended customer events, trade shows and sales missions to maintain, build or develop key relationships with GSO Managers and customers. - Mentored junior sales managers on business processes, prospecting, negotiation, asking for the business (i.e., closing the sale) Show less - Responsible for generating nearly $575,000 in food and beverage revenue in FY 2008, exceeding initial goal of $450- Leader of the Quarter, Fourth Quarter, 2007- ESS (Event Satisfaction Survey) score: 84% (Third Quarter), against brand average of 74.5 (Planning Phase)- Responsible for the leadership and direction of all operational departments in the successful execution of customer events- Directed the activities and oversee the performance of the culinary and banquet team including diary space management, menu matching, labor reduction and revenue maximization. - Primary sales efforts were in Banquet Food, Beverage and Meeting Room RentalHandled menu planning, agenda setting, hotel meeting services, hospitality amenities, and special VIP requests. Duties also include contract review and facilitating communication before, during and post event with pertinent hotel staff to ensure a high level of service.- Prepared and managed the Event Management budget and revenue forecasts. Responsible for the profitability of Event Management operations.- Accountable for successful conference planning. Interact with the client throughout the planning process and event execution to ensure expectations are exceeded. - Responsible for ensuring appropriate communication to all operational departments and assist in problem resolution.- Responsible for vendor partner relationships. Monitor commissions, conduct quarterly reviews and manage all contractual obligations.- Developed the content and maintained the accuracy of the meeting planners’ information, facility guidelines and online meeting planning tool. Ensure that client and meeting planning satisfaction goals are achieved through the smooth execution of all convention functions and events as measured by post event survey data. Show less

  • Director of Event Sales

    Aug 2012 - now

  • Sales Manager

    Oct 2010 - Aug 2012

  • Convention Services Manager

    Jun 2007 - Oct 2010
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  Society of Government Meeting Professionals

  Jul 2011 - Jan 2013

  • Treasurer

    Jan 2012 - Jan 2013

  • Board Member

    Jul 2011 - Jul 2012