Charonda Thurman

Experience

• 

  Behind the Epiphany

  Jan 2006 - now

  Project Manager and Event Producer

  • Vendor/Client Management: Maintain a portfolio of vendors/clients, serving as the primary point of contact. Negotiate venue/vendor contracts, ensuring quality and brand expectations are met. Collaborate with vendors and/or outside resources to meet client expectations.• Ancillary Product Development: Create and launch customer-focused ancillary products and services that improve event experiences and generate additional revenue.• Budget Management: Effectively prepare and manage event budgets ranging from $10,000 to over $5 million, saving clients an average of over 5% on overall expenses. • Customer Service & Experience: Provide VIP Concierge services including travel, hotel, and local activities. Anticipate and handle customer complaints and/or concerns to ensure quality product/service delivery and excellent customer satisfaction.• Product Strategy Development: Design and execute detailed event strategies that meet client objectives and uphold brand standards. Identify and acquire outstanding offerings to enhance client and attendee satisfaction.• Revenue Production: Responsible for venue revenue production, forecasting occupancy, and maximizing revenues. Form and evaluate marketing and advertising strategies based on knowledge of established objectives, market characteristics, cost, and markup factors.• Procurement Processes: Charter comprehensive procurement procedures, including RFPs and SLA development, to obtain top-tier vendors. Ensure vendors consistently meet quality benchmarks and event requirements.• Leadership & Team Management: Manage, hire, train, foster, coach, and terminate staff, when applicable. Supervise every element of production/event from concept, expansion, closing, and post-closing.• Event Logistics & Strategy: Coordinate event logistics, operations, program coordination, and budget moderation. Create/revise room layouts for each event. Arrange AV/production, room rates, food and beverage, supplies, event equipment, and décor. Show less

• 

  The Trade Group

  Oct 2023 - now

  Account Manager

  · Task Management: Develop and maintain detailed project plans, ensuring alignment with client objectives and company standards.· Sales Collaboration: Partner with sales representatives to identify client needs and deliver tailored event solutions.· Client and Vendor Liaison: Negotiate contracts with vendors and suppliers to optimize costs and ensure seamless event execution.· Logistics Coordination: Manage logistics, including professional and show services, floor plans, shipping, booth installations, and on-site management and team.· Risk Management: Identify and mitigate potential risks, ensuring events run smoothly and achieve targeted KPIs.· Project Oversight: Manage multiple concurrent trade show projects, maintaining a consistent track record of delivering on time and within budget.· Event Design: Assist with designing visually impactful exhibits and event layouts to enhance attendee experience, audience engagement, and align with brand messaging.· Business Development: Drive efforts by identifying new client opportunities and maintaining strong client relationships.· Cost Management: Perform account reconciliations to ensure accurate financial tracking and reporting for projects. Show less