Stacy Plarr (Schlags), MA, CMP

Experience

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  Rider University

  Jan 2008 - Jan 2009

  • Coordinated visitations to Rider University for prospective students.• Scheduled current students to mentor prospective students in daily university activities. • Sent out work orders, opened and closed house, conducted rounds in all Greek housing, supervised residents.• Reported to House Director, Director of Greek Life, and Facilities, and attended weekly meetings.

  • Student Ambassador Coordinator

    Jan 2008 - Jan 2009

  • House Manager

    Jan 2008 - Jan 2009
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  The Wyndham Hotel Philadelphia - Mount Laurel

  Oct 2009 - Feb 2012

  Sales Manager

  • Increased revenue for SMERF target accounts by cold calling, conducting site visits, and networking.• Participated in all aspects of sales: conducted sales calls, created contracts for various groups, maintained strong relationships with clients, participated in daily appointments with customers, and gave tours of hotel. • Created a radio commercial script, prepared quarterly newsletter, developed advertisements, participated in trade shows, and handled corporate catering events.

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  ECS - The Electrochemical Society

  Feb 2012 - Apr 2014

  Meetings Coordinator

  • Oversaw and planned the operations of ECS’s bi-annual, international week long meetings.• Managed independent projects such as the first Electrochemical Conference on Energy and the Environment conference in Shanghai.• Supervised the creation, testing, and launch of the ECS mobile app for all meetings.• Edited marketing collateral such as the registration brochure, meeting program, e-mail blasts, and website.• Served as the main point of contact during meetings for the venue, catering, AV and IT staff.• Communicated directly with exhibit companies to oversee exhibit hall, signage, and floor plans. Show less

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  DCAT (Drug, Chemical & Associated Technologies Association)

  May 2014 - Sept 2014

  Director of Meetings and Events

  • Managed a team of six people.• Negotiated hotel and vendor contracts.• Conducted site visits for multiple venues.• Managed logistics, catering, and on-site operations for all events ranging in attendance from 30-3,000 people.• Validated and approved of event invoicing.

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  Public Strategies Impact

  Sept 2014 - Jan 2017

  Event Coordinator

  • Managed site selection, contract negotiation, budget creation, catering planning, audio-visual coordination, member registration and other pre-event planning as needed for multiple associations who are members of PSI.• Attended each event to ensure on-site operations are successful.• Effectively communicated with committees and executive directors to confirm event logistics are met.• Oversaw multiple events that vary in size such as multi-day conferences, board meetings, golf outings, and trade shows with over three hundred exhibit booths. Show less

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  Data Research Group

  Jun 2016 - Jan 2017

  Quality Assurance Specialist

  • Tested Flash Point and Union Fusion platforms to ensure accurate navigation and applications.• Updated the electronic Help Documentation Guide by using Screen Steps to create a step by step visual tutorial.• Improved system by adding new features and enhancements especially in the Events section.

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  Impact XM

  Jan 2017 - Oct 2018

  Meeting/Convention Planner

  • Acted as liaison between client and the planners who work for associations, businesses, and governments.• Outlined and sustained yearly calendar of deadlines for all events (about 30+) per client.• Administered payment process for housing blocks, including providing company or client credit card(s) directly with housing bureaus, creation of master billing with hotels, and ensuring all deposits are charged correctly.• Created customized housing and registration websites in Cvent per event.• Communicated with convention management, housing bureaus, hotels and other entities to secure and manage multi-room housing blocks of sleeping rooms and registration/badge needs, as well as meeting spaces and support services (food & beverage, AV, etc.) during convention activities. • Oversaw communications to attendees and clients, in the form of electronic communications, as well as convention information documents, and final housing and registration reports.• Managed several changes to client requests throughout pre-planning process.• Maintained budget throughout pre-planning, meeting and housing execution, and post-show reconciliation while informing internal and external stakeholders of updates.• Reviewed and reconciled meeting and housing bills and credit card statements. Show less

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  International Fresh Produce Association

  Oct 2018 - Apr 2022

  Event Manager

  • Adapted in-person events due to global pandemic. Renegotiated contracts, rescheduled and cancelled events, and executed virtual online experiences. • Successfully launched our first virtual event to include virtual exhibit booths, online education, Zoom breakouts, digital sponsorships, and online networking. Transformed this event into a year long platform of opportunities.• Sourced and selected a range of unique venues including convention centers, hotels, restaurants, and independent work spaces.• Negotiated contracts to ensure a cost-effective budget.• Worked with an assortment of vendors to oversee signage, name badges, registration, housing, catering, ground transportation, shipping, general contracting, décor, and audio visual.• Collaborated closely with the housing bureau to manage hotel blocks, pick up reports, concessions, and contracts for our annual convention of 5,000 attendees.• Coordinated all pre-show planning, on-site logistics, and post-show analysis for 5 - 10 events per year ranging in attendance from 50 to 5,000, including domestic and international.• Managed staff responsibilities and roles for successful on-site implementation.• Included on team projects to help support sponsorship execution, exhibit booth sales, and a seamless registration process for all events. Show less

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  AHCA/NCAL

  Apr 2022 - Sept 2022

  Manager of Conferences and Meetings

  • Managed the creation of RFPs, conducted sourcing, negotiated contracts, and formulated analysis to ensure the best venue selection within budget. Venues can consist of restaurants, hotels, convention centers, and more.• Negotiated with vendors and was the main point of contact for all arrangements such as food and beverage, audio visual, shipping, housing, off-site activities, ground transportation, entertainment, and décor.• Reviewed and reconciled all final invoices, member and staff reimbursements, and assigned budget codes.• Worked with Marketing team to update all event related content in promotional materials, signage, and the website.• Collaborated with Sales team to generate creative sponsorship packages with guaranteed member satisfaction.• Coordinated with staff liaisons to effectively plan and execute committee events, staff retreats, and ICW meetings.• Produced Meeting Notice Forms for each event to inform members of the schedule and objectives, hotel and travel arrangements, and billing procedures.• Streamlined internal Meeting Request Form from a PDF to an online process to increase efficiency and reporting.• Assembled and organized the Exhibitor Service Kit for the Annual Convention in partnership with the convention center, catering, general services contractor, and staff.• Provided logistical support for the Annual Convention’s Quality Awards Ceremony and Celebration.• Prepared staff resources such as the Staff Manual and Power Point Briefing.• Created post event surveys, distributed to internal staff for all committee meetings, and tracked results for the Events and Meetings Department to achieve annual goals.• Established relationships with local DC hotels and contracts a yearly rate for staff and members to utilize as preferred properties throughout the year. Analyzed annual pick up and renegotiated future years.• Transitioned the yearly calendar of events from a Word document to a shared Outlook calendar accessible to all staff. Show less

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  North American Blueberry Council

  Sept 2022 - now

  Director of Meetings and Events
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  U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

  Sept 2022 - now

  Director of Meetings and Events

  • Provide event planning logistics with a track record of exceeding attendee expectations, supporting industry growth, and staying within budget.• Manages all event planning, on-site execution, and post-show evaluation for the annual Convention, Fall Summit, DC Hill Climb, Staff Retreat, Committee Meetings, and participation in other industry events.• Launched online event registration within membership database to streamline payments and sustain attendee history.• Maintain platinum customer support for all events and conduct post-show report evaluations for future enhancements.• Create partnerships with outside vendors who manage audio visual, signage, ground transportation, décor, entertainment, housing, food and beverage, golf tournaments, and more.• Collaborates with internal team members to exceed goals and objectives of NABC and USHBC as well as to deliver speaker needs, execute sponsorships, implements tradeshow, organizes staff schedule, guide, and travel, and meets deadlines by tracking ongoing progress within Basecamp. Show less