Jo Abbott

Experience

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  The Tussauds Group

  Feb 2004 - Mar 2007

  Event Manager

  • Pro-active event sales, contracting using Kinetics, event operations & management.• Month end finance for 3 attractions including supplier payments, accruals, inter-company transfers & commission payments.• Sales site inspections & presentations.• Enquiry Handling, offering bespoke quotes to agencies, private & corporate clients.• Building Controller & Operations management.• Maintaining supplier relations, orders, invoices, stock control & venue set-up.• Research for new sales leads & market research.• Designing promotional materials for promo events & advertising. Show less

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  TMB Marketing & Communications

  Aug 2007 - May 2008

  Senior Events Executive

  TMB, The Motivation Business is a full marketing & Communications agency offering creative design, direct, online & digital marketing, performance improvement, market research, production services, travel & logistics & Event managementThe role of Senior Event Executive involved coordinating & Event managing various client projects including overseas incentives, congresses, conferences & exhibitions. Duties included:• Receiving & brainstorming client briefs• Liaising with DMC’s, hotels & venues in the UK & overseas to secure a unique & relevant proposal• Negotiating rates & budget management• Design proposals & pitching to clients directly• Closing client meetings to secure business & contracting events.• Conducting site visits & re-negotiating rates• Flight bookings & coordinating all land & hotel arrangements including transport management• Invoice reconciliation Show less

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  Denbies Wine Estate

  May 2008 - Sept 2015

  Wedding & Exhibitions Manager

  Denbies Wine Estate is the largest wine estate in England offering weddings, private events & conferences as well as being a working vineyard & winery.The role of Wedding & Exhibitions Manager involves managing every aspect of the wedding department to maximise revenue & improve standards for the wedding market using clear & precise communication throughout departments & with clients, reporting directly to the vineyard General Manager. Duties include:• Effective enquiry handling, contracting, up selling and invoicing• Conducting site visits, managing internal wedding fairs and attending external exhibitions• Website & brochure design and development• Rate negotiation & budget controlI also develop the exhibitions aspect of the business which involves approaching new clients & resourcing new contacts.Additional responsibilities within this role include management of the Loyalty club scheme, Art Gallery, in house events and assisting with Conference sales and marketing. Show less

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  Dorking Halls

  Feb 2016 - May 2017

  Event and Sponsorship Manager

  Reporting directly to the Operations Manager my role within the Dorking Halls was to cultivate and actively sell the corporate facilities, advertising space, functions and weddings and to maximise revenue to achieve and exceed budgeted income targets. Key areas are:• To cultivate and establish relationships with businesses, representing Dorking Halls at appropriate events in order to promote the facilities and opportunities available at the venue. • To make contact with potential customers through cold calling using telephone, as well as by email and by meeting in person, to sell facilities for hire and advertising opportunities with Dorking Halls. • To prepare and manage formal contracts for all event, sponsorship and advertising sales. • Act as line manager for the Event Administrator, including recruitment, training, giving appraisals, dealing with any performance matters, arranging regular team meetings and feedback. • To attend and contribute to staff meetings and training as required, to ensure every opportunity is taken to identify new ideas and generate additional income or service improvements. • Develop ideas for new events and promotions, including pricing packages, special offers and new types of events. Show less

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  TMB Marketing & Communications

  May 2017 - now

  Event Director

  TMB, The Motivation Business is a full service Marketing & Communications agency offering Event management, travel & logistics, AV / production services, creative design, online & digital marketing & performance improvementWorking across a broad range of event projects for TMB’s blue chip clients, this strategic hands-on role is accountable for building strong client relationships and identifying new opportunities to support the growth of the businessThe role of Event Director is varied, Duties and responsibilities include:• Client Relationship Management – Ensuring client satisfaction exceeds expectations. Driving and supporting teams to maintain strong client relationships• Account Management & Development –To grow existing client accounts • Process and Quality Control – Ensuring teams are working to the highest standards for client delivery. Driving process improvement and efficiencies to ensure continual development of operating systems and procedures. • Reporting – Ensuring ongoing financial and management reports are always up to date to show progress against business objectives.• Line Management – Strong leadership and performance management ensuring account teams perform at a high level. • Strategy – Actively keeping abreast of current industry trends and competitor and client activity Show less

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  Bocketts Farm Park

  Nov 2020 - Jan 2022

  Events and Farm Park Operations Manager (12 month contract during Covid-19 pandemic)

  An opportunity to expand my leadership skills outside of the events industry during the COVID-19 period.Bocketts Farm Park is an award winning family attraction welcoming over 300,000 visitors annually. The Role of Events and Farm Park Operations Manager is varied to not only oversee the visitor experience and day to day operations of the Farm Park but to also create and manage the seasonal events throughout the year to enhance the visitor experience. Duties include:• Event Management – Creating the concept for each seasonal event in line with current trends, plan each event and manage the design, set up and delivery of each event.• Duty Management - Management of the entire farm park team, Scheduling and rotas, Customer Service, Standards management, Cash management and reporting and Delivery of seasonal events.• Health and Safety – Risk assessments and daily, weekly, monthly and annual inspections• HR and Training – Recruitment, Inductions, Training and performance management• Incident Management – First contact for First Aids, Fire evacuations, Customer complaints and onsite emergency procedures. Show less