Martha Place

Experience

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  Decatur Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

  Mar 1987 - Sept 1997

  Director of Finance and Tourism

  Co-hosted weekly radio show promoting local and statewide events.Served as President of the Decatur Sister Cities Committee planning and implementing cultural exchanges with Seevetal, Germany and Tokorozawa, Japan. Created a Convention Services department increasing number of meeting planners who utilized services.Created Airport Information Desk with a staff of 30 volunteers and volunteer coordinator. Finance/Administration: Assisted in the creation of an annual budget; Managed grants through the Illinois Office of Tourism. Tourism/Public Relations: Developed and maintained relationships with area, state, and regional media; Created collateral materials for tourism marketing and promotions; Made presentations and speeches at various businesses and organizations. Show less

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  Richland Community College

  Sept 1997 - Dec 1999

  Director of Marketing & Public Relations

  Recipient of the Silver Medallion award from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations for writing and producing a television commercial for the college.Developed and maintained positive, open relationships with area and state media.Served as field assistant for Discover America Film Crew - "Decatur" video.Marketing: Created collateral materials for marketing and promotions; Created, planned and purchased print and electronic advertising; Planned and implemented focus groups to gauge reactions to advertising and promotions; Created and implemented marketing plan; Exhibited at numerous trade shows. Public Relations: Developed and maintained relationships with area, state, and regional media; Wrote and distributed press releases to area media; Pitched story ideas; Made presentations and speeches at various businesses and organizations. Show less

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  Waterloo Convention & Visitors Bureau

  Jan 2000 - Jul 2004

  Executive Director

  Created a full-time Sports Marketing sales position to increase sports-related business. Built strong relationships with tourism stakeholders and government officials. Collaborated with City Council to rewrite Hotel-Motel Tax Ordinance, ensuring the Bureau would get a minimum percentage of annual tax revenues. Collaborated with the City Council and Board of Directors to revise the Hotel-Motel Tax Grant Application, creating a more equitable, objective process. Finance/Administration: Developed, implemented, and managed annual budget and program of work; Managed tourism grant from Iowa Office of Tourism; Increased reserve fund over $98,000 in three years by using a variety of cost saving strategies. Management: Hired, evaluated, and supervised four full time staff. Marketing: Worked with department managers to create and implement marketing plans, advertising campaigns, and the annual program of work. Public Relations: Made presentations and speeches at various businesses and organizations; Active participant in local, state, regional, national, and international organizations; Lobbied state/federal legislature on issues affecting the tourism industry; Wrote and distributed press releases and other public relations material highlighting the activities of the Bureau. Show less

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  Downtown Chandler Community Partnership

  Sept 2006 - Jun 2007

  Executive Director

  Developed organization website and downtown business directory. Collaborated with East Valley Arts Alliance to create monthly artwalk event. Marketing: Developed bi-monthly newsletter to inform stakeholders and visitors of downtown news; Worked with designers to create print ads and place in appropriate advertising venues. Public Relations: Pitched story ideas and wrote and distributed press releases to area media; Conducted numerous print and electronic press interviews; Developed productive relationships with government and other public organizations, community leaders, and private enterprise; Financial management: Assisted in the preparation and supervision of an annual budget. Show less

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  Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau

  Nov 2007 - Dec 2008

  Director of Tourism & PR

  Developed new brand campaign.Built strong relationships with stakeholders, media, and regional partners.Implemented marketing campaign to mitigate impacts of a major road improvement project.Marketing/Sales: Developed and implemented marketing plan; Coordinated with publishing company to produce annual visitor guide; Maintained tourism website; Planned and implemented print, electronic, and internet advertising campaigns; Attended trade shows promoting the area to tour operators and consumers; Coordinated sales activities to increase tourism bureau memberships. Public Relations: Wrote and distributed articles and press releases to media outlets; Wrote and distributed consumer and trade newsletters; Planned and implemented media familiarization tours for national and international media. Management: Managed Tourism Development Manager and Call Center staff. Financial Management: Worked with the President to develop and implement budget and program of work for tourism bureau. Assisted in writing and implementing marketing grants from the Arizona Office of Tourism. Show less

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  Edward Jones

  Jan 2011 - May 2016

  Branch Office Administrator

  Responsible for office management and client service. Duties include working with the financial advisor to plan and implement a marketing and business plan to grow the number of clients served; Opening and maintaining client accounts; Providing good customer service to clients and the general public; Planning and implementing branch events and business seminars.

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  Precision Builders & Associates, Inc.

  May 2016 - Feb 2017

  Office Manager
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  Vessel Architecture & Design, Inc.

  Feb 2017 - now

  Business Manager
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  Vessel Architecture

  Feb 2017 - now

  Business Manager