Event Specialist

The Marketing Communication Event Specialist works independently and serves in a support role to the Sr. Manager, Events & Tradeshows.  The specialist plans, manages, and executes events for bioMérieux’s high profile Tier 1 and 2 events and tradeshows, customer facing events, seminars, and other events as assigned.  This role will help conceptualize ideas for events, liaise with internal stakeholders and suppliers and oversee all event operations.  In alignment with stakeholders, the specialist performs a variety of different projects for planning and executing events and tradeshows which may include researching event venues, negotiating, securing and managing venues, managing venue relationships, managing hotel room blocks and food and beverage, managing event and audio-visual suppliers, coordinating internal and external team meetings, managing event on site, develop, track, reconcile and reporting of budget and other duties as assigned.  

Primary Duties

1. Conducts short-and long-term planning and management for events and tradeshows. 

2. Develops, tracks, and reconciles event and tradeshow budgets.

3. Negotiates, inspects, secures, and manages 3rd party suppliers and exhibit houses hotel accommodations, food & beverage, meeting spaces, and other facilities and venues necessary for event execution. 

4. Develops overall event project plan and communicates plan with necessary stakeholders, suppliers, and event participants though regular cadence of coordination meetings. 

5. Manages event production agency which may include theme, creative concepts, general session staging, breakout room management, registration website, and other.

6. Manages attendee communication which may include save the date, email invites, registration, and post event surveys. 

7. Conceives and communicates creative and innovative event themes for dinners, activities, teambuilding, and other activities that enhance the event experience and goals. 

8. Submits all contracts to legal and purchasing for review and invoices to accounting for payment. 

9. Managing the event on site to ensure that event runs smoothly.

10. Ensures that health and safety standards are adhered to during the event.

11. Performs other duties as assigned.  

Experience

1. HS Diploma and 9+ years of directly related experience in event, meeting and/or tradeshow management OR Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business management, hospitality, or travel  & 5+ years of directly related experience in event, meeting and/or tradeshow management

2. Demonstrated proficiency completing basic to more complex tradeshow and event planning.

3. Experienced at negotiating contracts and building networks with vendors in partnership with legal and purchasing.  

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

1. Effectively work as part of a team, contribute positively to the team with a helpful and respectful attitude. 

2. Ability to function equally under own initiative and under instruction. 

3. Ability to work independently and efficiently as part of a fast-paced team. 

4. Ability to adjust to changes in scheduling, and general flexibility in work environment. 

5. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. 

6. Proficient vendor negotiation skills. 

7. Proficient networking and multitasking skills. 

8. Proficiently working on multiple projects simultaneously. 

9. Self-motivated, and able to manage time effectively. 

10. Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and meet deadlines while paying attention to multiple details. 

11. Must be proficient in MS Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Docs.