Karen Gravlin

Experience

• 

  Maritz Travel Company

  Jul 2003 - Jul 2005

  Sr. Project Manager

  A worldwide leader in the meeting, event and incentive travel industry; experts in producing conferences, corporate hospitality events, incentive travel programs, business meeting facilitation, and virtual meeting extensions.

• 

  Landmark Incentive Marketing

  Oct 2005 - Jan 2008

  Account Planner & Program Manager

  A leader and pioneer in the incentive travel and marketing industry creating unique incentive marketing concepts, innovating marketing strategies and exclusive incentive trips for customers all over North America. Account Planner, 2007 – 2008 Program Manager, 2005 – 2007

• 

  Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI)

  Jan 2008 - Jan 2011

  Director of Industry Partner Sales

  [formerly hinton+grusich prior to acquisition in 2011] A national sales organization that represents upscale hotels, destinations and hospitality suppliers that serve the meetings industry, creating efficiency and buying power for professionals who plan meetings through one single point-of-contact.

• 

  BCD Meetings & Events

  Jan 2011 - now

  - Responsible for overall account success including service excellence, SLA achievement & budget management - Continuous program growth, maturity & development resulting in on-going client retention; lead business reviews and extensions - Prepare annual budget for approval; reforecast & revise based on volume and/or changes to the SMMP; manage team & expense to the approved budget Identify appropriate team structure including re-organization, promotion, reductions in force & new job creation- Engage & educate SMM program owner and meeting stakeholders by sharing thought leadership, industry trends & opportunities to grow or improve SMMP - Supervise tenured operations leadership team; set goals & objectives at the account and team member level to drive strategy, performance & results - Lead and/or contribute to program implementations; ex: offshore resource management, time tracking, supplier RFPs, new meeting policies, etc. - Continuous review of policy & process to identify gaps, overlaps & opportunities to drive efficiencies; advocate for change with SMM program owner as neededLead assessment, strategy, communication, expectations, and reporting for account level policy & process/process change - Participate in company-wide professional development training and opportunities; ex: best practices sharing, professional spotlights, subject matter expertise, leadership meetings and blog contribution - Contribute to external sales opportunities through business cases or case study contribution and prospective customer presentation - Identify opportunities to grow SMMP within BCD through customer introduction to internal travel management, event agency and media & production departments - Understand and advocate value of internal supplier revenue streams through preferred suppliers’ strategy and introduction of preferred supplier MSAs Show less

  • Senior Director, Strategic Meetings Management

    Jan 2023 - now

  • Account & Operations Director - PwC Meeting & Event Services

    Feb 2021 - Feb 2023

  • Director Of Operations - PwC Meeting & Event Services

    Apr 2019 - Jan 2021

  • Senior Operations Manager - PwC Meeting & Event Services

    May 2015 - Apr 2019

  • Operations Manager, Planning - PwC Meeting & Event Services

    Sept 2012 - May 2015

  • Supervisor, Small Meetings - PwC Meeting & Event Services

    Mar 2012 - Sept 2012

  • Senior Planning Manager - PwC Meeting & Event Services

    Jun 2011 - Mar 2012

  • Planning Manager - PwC Meeting & Event Services

    Jan 2011 - Jun 2011
• 

  FIT4MOM

  Aug 2016 - Aug 2018

  Certified Stroller Strides & Fit4Baby Instructor

  FIT4MOM is the nation’s leading company for pre and postnatal health, wellness, and fitness programs for every stage of motherhood. From pregnancy through postpartum and beyond, our fitness and wellness programs help make moms strong in body, mind, and spirit.