Laura K.

Wilkens
21820 SE 20th Street * Sammamish, Washington 98075 *
480) 862-5035 * lwd88d50@westpost.net
Summary of Qualifications
Program Manager with extensive experience in operations, directing initiatives t
hrough project life cycle; lead planning, coordinating internal and external tea
ms, and ensuring delivery of product/service aligns with client needs.
*Demonstrate systematic approach to project oversight and expertise in crisis ma
nagement, with aptitude for managing collaborative problem-solving and skill in
identifying and implementing most suitable solution.
*Lead teams effectively to achieve timely project completion; administer multimi
llion-dollar project budgets, driving profitability by monitoring productivity a
nd through negotiations with subcontractors/vendors.
*Offer sound understanding of customer expectations and ability to develop effec
tive marketing collateral and manage campaigns.

Core Competencies
Leadership * Establishing and maintaining client relationships * Contract negoti
ations
* Budget administration * Staff training and development * Vendor relations * St
rategic Planning

Professional Experience
MEETING AND EVENT INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR, Scottsdale, Arizona 2008-2010
Provided meeting planning and event coordination assistance to a variety of clie
nts and companies including:
*Gary Kadi's Next Level Practice - planned and executed meeting for group of (10
0) dental professionals in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Event included negotiating
hotel room block, meal functions on and off hotel property, airport transfers, c
oordination of marketing materials, and on-site registration.
*The Destination Manager - contracted for on-site assistance to execute various
events.
THE DESTINATION MANAGER, Scottsdale, Arizona 2004-2008
Arizona's premier destination event planning company, providing customized solut
ions for corporate and individual clients.
Director of Operations
*Developed and managed operations department responsible for planning/execution
of events for average of 200 participants and ranging in scope from shorter func
tions to multi-day activities.
*Worked with up to 15 groups per month and managed as much as $10 million in rev
enue per year.
*Coordinated delivery of services such as transportation to and from airport and
activities ranging from hot air ballooning and horseback riding to local tours
and festivities at entertainment venues.
*Drove profitability, increasing sales among existing contracts and managing bud
get proactively with focus on maximizing profit margin. Partnered with service p
roviders such as caterer and florist, representatives from venues, and municipal
contacts to establish timelines for events and achieve flawless execution.
*Played key role in guiding company through period of rapid expansion, growing o
perations department from two-member junior team to eight qualified operations m
anagers; recruited and trained 100 freelance, on-call guide staff.
*Maintained frequent communication with companies throughout project life cycle,
liaising between client and service providers, accommodating changes in timelin
e, and cultivating optimal client satisfaction.
*Generated $700,000 in billing from multi-day event for DLA Piper and managed an
nual conference for Merrill Lynch Top Performers.
SAVOIR FAIRE PERSONAL CHEF SERVICE, Scottsdale, Arizona 2002-2004
Supplied personalized meal delivery service to health-minded clients, focusing o
n quality and balanced nutrition.
Owner/Executive Chef
*Managed marketing efforts, budget administration, and client relations; conduct
ed initial meetings with clients to determine their needs and preferences and fo
llowed up with them regularly to ensure their ongoing satisfaction.
*Networked with area personal trainers and garnered referrals from those relatio
nships; e-mailed reminders about nutrition/health throughout week to keep client
motivated toward their goals.
*Prepared one to two meals daily for up to 15 clients and catered dinner parties
for as many as 30 guests.
PRA DESTINATION MANAGEMENT, San Diego, California 1997-2002
Provider of comprehensive destination event services, from planning and risk man
agement to execution; offers services to corporate, incentive, and association c
lients.
Director of Operations 2000-2002
Operations Manager 1997-2000
*Coordinated wide range of corporate events and conventions, serving high-profil
e clientele including Republican National Convention, National Education Associa
tion, and BIO 2001.
*Oversaw operations of events with as many as 25,000 attendees, generating billi
ng in excess of $1 million from largest initiatives.
*Managed more than $13 million annually in client-driven program revenue and dep
artment budget of $500,000.
*Negotiated price points with vendors and established partnership agreements, se
curing exclusive offers from service providers such as caterers and transportati
on companies.
*Produced operations manual, detailing procedures and functions necessary to ach
ieve successful events, from initial phone call to clients through to final bill
ing; document was used in development of corporate franchises and to train satel
lite office staff.
*Supervised seven full-time operations managers and 100 on-call/freelance suppor
t staff.
MARRIOTT HOTELS INTERNATIONAL 1992-1997
Operator and franchiser of hotels and related lodging facilities across U.S. and
in 67 other countries and territories.
Assistant Restaurant Manager, San Diego, California 1994-1997
Directed operations of restaurant serving more than 500 guests daily; managed in
ventory control and product orders; and oversaw 50 staff, with responsibility fo
r scheduling and conducting performance reviews.
Assistant Spa Manager, Palm Desert, California 1992-1994
Coordinated marketing strategy for mail order product line and produced brochure
to advertise spa and other resort shops; developed and managed incentive progra
m for spa sales associates.
Education
A.A., Culinary Arts, Scottsdale Culinary Institute, Scottsdale, Arizona 2002
B.A., English, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 1996