Michele Free

Energetic and organized events marketing leader, with over 25 years of project management excellence. Passionately develops and executes global industry trade shows, regional field events and executive advisory board meetings that drive awareness, convert to pipeline and meets strategic goals. End to end events strategy from annual planning to booth design for leading SaaS and tech companies. Skilled in project management, cross-functional alignment, vendor and contract negotiations. Experience designing and building LED structures as well as content development for maximum visual impact. Self motivated, resourceful and high-energy professional.

PRO Unlimited/Magnit – Sunnyvale, CA                               2022 - 2023 

Events Producer, Apple Recruiting Events (Client: Apple)

• Designed and produced complex, multi-track events to connect potential candidates with Apple recruiters and hiring managers. 
• Organized and project managed unique experiences from inception to completion, partnering with recruiters, lines of business, vendors, and venues to create opportunities for engaging interactions. 
• Excelled at owning budgets, timelines, communications and project workflows under tight deadlines.
• Developed planning templates to help team consistently plan and execute trade show and networking events: planning checklists, budgets, food & beverage, technology checklist, speaking checklist, run of show and more.

ILLUMIO – Sunnyvale, CA                                          2017 - 2022 

Corporate Events and Programs Director (2021 - 2022)

Senior Events and Programs Manager (2017 - 2021)

• Owned budget, strategy, execution, and results of: global corporate events, major industry trade shows (e.g. RSA), CTO Technical Advisory Board meetings, and all ancillary events (Executive Customer dinners, mobile executive briefing centers, and team outings)
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams and vendors to develop large-scale, attention-grabbing and high visibility LED structures to showcase live theater presentations at industry trade shows for over 40,000 attendees
• Managed staffing, scheduling, housing, communications and training for 10-50+ event staffers
• Partner with the Head of People to plan and execute annual company gatherings for 500+ attendees across 6 Regions.
• Partner with SVP of Sales to plan and execute annual Sales Kick-off event with 150+ attendees
• Flawless event execution supported by rehearsals and detailed Run of Show for in-person and virtual events
• Served as interim Creative Producer in 2020, managed the Marketing AOP and budget process and hired a Senior Event Manager to support growth

CONSULTANT, EVENT MARKETING – San Jose, CA                        2016 - 2017

Event Marketing (Client: Illumio)

• Provided complete event management and planning services as well as on-site event support for all regional field (Americas) and corporate events (global). Managed approximately 125 events over 2 years. KPIs: registrations, attendees, pipeline.
• Managed all marketing communications, booth logistics, deliverables, invites, RSVPs, and ancillary events for the largest marketing investment of the year (RSA Conference), including: contracts, vendors, show services, catering, budget, hotel room blocks and staffing schedules
• End to end execution of Field Marketing Events and annual Sales Kick-off: Event research and strategy, venue planning, contract negotiation, food and beverage planning

FREEMAN XP – Santa Clara, CA       2016

Sponsorship Manager (Client: Splunk conf2016)

• Logistics management for 70 Splunk sponsors (pre-show, on-site, post show)
• Execution, fulfillment and related operations, including Exhibitor Resource Center access, booth graphics, booth selection, conference registrations, invoicing, and newsletters

ULTIMATE STAFFING – Santa Clara, CA           2015 - 2016

Event Marketing (Client: ServiceNow)

• End to end management of trade show sponsorships for ServiceNow (client) including, research, planning and executing
• Managed 65 trade show events over two years 
  • Partnered with business units and creative services to develop messaging and content for signage, pull-up banners, monitor wraps, and handouts to drive traffic and conversions.
  • Logistical support for booth graphics, show services, collateral, promotional items to meet advanced warehouse deadlines
  • All on-site event management including booth set-up, booth tear down and show staffing
  • Post-show activities include normalizing lead data, summarizing show metrics, sending follow-up  eMails to attendees, and conducting internal debriefs for performance improvement

APPLE – Cupertino, CA                    2009 - 2013

Senior Program Manager, MarCom

• Partnered with the corporate IT to design and develop a digital asset management tool for internal use. 
  • Developed comprehensive business requirements incorporating industry research, internal requirements and stakeholder alignment
• Managed 12 major and 48 minor release including integrations with IS&T applications
• Provided ongoing communications, documentation, support & training for users at corporate & regional offices 

CONSULTANT, PROJECT MANAGER                         2006 - 2009 

Project Manager (Clients: Nokia, Affymetrix, Liveworld)

• Provided business analysis, process assessment, recommendations and project management for Customer Service and Operations
• Managed evangelism program to encourage Developers to port their applications to a new platform for Nokia devices while working closely with Handango (a key Nokia partner)
• Launched social networking site featuring a unique SMS & web alert notification system as well as other customized features for a LiveWorld customer, a national discount retailer

ADOBE SYSTEMS – San Jose, CA                             2001 - 2005

Manager, Program Management (Core Technology Group)

• Managed senior program management team to support the development and release of Adobe products
• Transitioned Software Requirements Specification process from paper-based to an online database workflow that enabled more informed business decisions for requested features
• Drove the AOP process for 12 managers across 20 technology areas including resource allocation and headcount reporting
• Established a remote project management function at Adobe’s Noida location in support of Core Tech’s India technology transfer strategy. Worked closely with development and QE managers to facilitate excellent communication and issue responsiveness
• Hired 7 people to support growth initiatives
• Member of Adobe’s Product Life Cycle Advisory Board

LIPSTREAM NETWORKS - Cupertino, CA 2000 - 2001 

Director, Client Services

• Managed Strategic Accounts (i.e. American Express, Cisco and Compaq)
• Established and managed customer launch process and Professional Services including RFP responses and custom integrations
• Partnered with Business Development, Engineering, Product Management, Marketing, PR, Operations and Technical Support
• Hired Client Services Manager

USWEB (CKS) - Cupertino, CA 1996 - 2000 

Director, Project Management (1999 - 2000)

• Hired, managed and mentored staff of 10 web project management resources
• Initial involvement in all web projects – provide guidance on schedules, budgets and scope.

Director of Operations (1997 - 1999)

• Developed and managed financial plan, forecasts and performance for the office. 
• Responsible for headcount plan, recruiting efforts, IS and facilities planning. Interviewed, hired and trained all new media project managers.
• Developed, implemented and maintained tools, processes and procedures to control external/internal costs.

Senior Project Manager (1996 - 1997)

• Produced largest client website in company history. Met or exceeded schedule, budget and profitability milestones on $1 million+ project.
• Lead cross-functional team of copywriters, designers, HTML programmers, engineers and testers to architect, design, program, test and launch websites.

APPLE COMPUTER - Cupertino, CA 1988 - 1996

Producer, Content and Services, Apple Internet Services (1995 - 1996)

Manager, Content Development, Services Marketing, Apple Online Services (1994 - 1995)

Manager, Community User Groups, User Groups and Associations (1992 – 1994)

Communications Specialist, User Groups and Associations (1989 - 1992)

MBA, San Jose State University/Apple Masters 

Program Recipient, Inspirational Leadership Award 

Vice President, Apple Alumni Association 

BS, Kinesiology and BA, Psychology - University of California at Los Angeles 

TRAINING 

Certified Meeting Planner (CMP)

Certified Scrum Master, Mountain Goat Software 

Women Unlimited TEAM Graduate, Adobe Systems, Inc.