         INDEPENDENT PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT           Executive Profile     Accomplished professional with demonstrated ability to deliver strategic internal and external communications. Experienced in hospitality industry. Highly-skilled in event creation, oversight and management, as well as all aspects of media relations.       Skill Highlights          Exceptional leadership/communication skills	Creative pitching  Promotional campaigns		Experienced spokesperson      Event management	International Relations  Project management	Market research and analysis  Copywriting and copyediting	Customer-oriented  Deadline-driven MS Office, Social Media platforms, basic HTML through Dreamweaver            Core Accomplishments     Public Relations and Event Management: Initiated re-branding and imaging campaign which resulted in 10%-20% increased visitation per year.  Created and managed private and public events for parties, corporate break-outs, weddings, family days and visiting VIP's.  Initiated a public relations capital campaign for a non-profit on a tight budget, raising over $20 million in pledges and support.  Garnered first national and international coverage for 40+ year old institution, and maintained visibility with more than 40 features and spotlight listings each year.  Spearheaded new social media programs which increased program sales 25% within the first year.  Collaborated with local organizations to increase exposure for Palm Beach County to key travel and tour groups Represented clients on Culture Key initiative to drive tourism post-9/11 resulting in 10% increased visitation and hotel stays Collaborated on behalf of clients on tourism initiatives through the Palm Beach County CVB resulting in record-breaking stays and visitation for three fiscal years.  Coordinated major press events for Jet Aviation terminal opening and Keys to the City with less than three weeks' notice, resulting in more than 20 features and national exposure.  Researched story ideas and created national pitch, resulting in international coverage in more than 15 countries.       Professional Experience      Company Name     January 2009   to   Current     Independent Public Relations Consultant   City  ,   State     Provide full public relations services for nearly 20 for and non-for-profit businesses and organizations through the quad-county area.  Services include: Identifying customer needs through market research and analysis.  Defining project and company vision, strategies and tactics.  Research and tracking advertising and public relations activities.  Evaluating and managing new strategic business opportunities.  Expanding product and company recognition in the national and local press to support the sales and marketing teams.  Creating and managing special events to draw customers and media attention.  Establishing and maintaining cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee and public interest groups.  Organizing public appearances, lectures, contests and exhibits to increase product awareness.  Designing web and other content, including monthly newsletters and promotional calendars.  Developing and implemented 5-10 public relations business plans each year.  Working with management to identify trends and developments that might influence PR decisions and strategies.  Establishing long-range objectives and developed innovative strategies to help achieve them.  Cultivating positive relationships with the community through public relations campaigns.  Generating programming capital for the agency by planning and coordinating fundraisers, writing grant proposals and securing volunteer investments.  Managing all media, press and public relations issues.  Coaching less experienced public relations staff members on media relations practices.         Company Name       Current     Director of Marketing, PR and Special Events   City  ,   State      Managed online and print advertising budgets up to $100,000.  Identified customer needs through market research and analysis.  Oversaw and assisted in developing two new websites and all social media strategies.  Oversaw and managed all private and public events, coordinating with catering and entertainment.  Served as organization spokesperson for media and the community.  Organized, planned and implemented press conferences for new openings, groundbreaking, capital campaign and scientific breakthroughs.  Designed, drafted and distributed public information materials and quarterly newsletters and e-blasts.  Implemented creative, press-worthy events for the public and increased exposure, resulting in more than 40 feature hits across all media outlets per year, and increased visitation each year.  Researched, negotiated, implemented and tracked advertising and public relations activities.  Represented the Museum on all tourism and hospitality committees including the Palm Beach County Attractions Association, CVB, Tourist Development Council, Florida's Governors Conference on Tourism, VisitFlorida and Palm Beach County Cultural Council, resulting in regular coverage from national and international travel writers.  Trained all employees on VIP and media etiquette.  Coordinated all VIP, celebrity and donor visits.  Pitched location shoots to visiting and local film industry to garner increased exposure.  Implemented marketing and public relations initiatives to drive attendance, resulting in an increased operations budget from $500k to more than $2 million within ten years.          Education      Palm Beach Atlantic University     1999       Bachelor of Science  :   Organizational Management    Organizational Management        West      Marketing, Public Relations and Journalism coursework
Graduate level courses completed in International Business Management
Buena Vista Hospitality management training      City  ,   State  ,   USA            Languages    Conversational Spanish, elementary Mandarin      Affiliations     Palm Beach County Attractions Association, Past President and Treasurer (1999-present)  Palm Beach County CVB, Marketing and PR Sub-Committees Chair (4 years)  Palm Beach County Cultural Council, Marketing/PR Committee Representative (1999-present)  Palm Beach Film Society, Vice President (2002-present)       Skills     MS Office, Dreamweaver, advertising, social media platforms, wesbsites Conversational Spanish and elementary Mandarin    