Event Manager - Lansing - Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association

Description

JOB SUMMARY:

The Events Manager serves as the primary logistics coordinator for all Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA), Michigan Hospitality Foundation (MHF), Political Action Committee (PAC) events and Board Meetings. Additionally, this role supports the organization's development goals by fundraising for events and coordinating event sponsorship deliverables across entities.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Event Management: Provide event logistics management for the MRLA and affiliated entities to include meetings and events for the Michigan Hospitality Foundation, Government Affairs, Membership and Marketing Departments as needed.

• Michigan Hospitality Foundation: Plan and execute a variety of educational events including workshops, seminars, conferences and webinars.
• Government Affairs: Plan and execute annual PAC fundraising events as well as legislative days under the direction of the Vice President, Government Affairs
• Membership Department: Plan and execute various regional events to promote membership with MRLA under the direction of Sr. Director of Membership
• Women In Hospitality Leadership (WIHL): Plan and execute annual WIHL Conference under the direction of Vice President, Communications & Brand Strategy
• Coordinate with department heads to develop event budgets and ensure cost-effective execution in agreement with the Board approved annual budget
• Coordinate with department heads to meet or exceed registration goals for each event
• Maintain meetings calendar, timelines, and checklists for events
• Responsible for staffing and set up for events
• Responsible for selling event-specific sponsorships for events and associated administrative tasks
• Negotiate contracts, including room blocks, food & beverage, audio/visual and others as needed
• Conduct post-event evaluations and report on outcomes

2. Board Events: Provide event management for the MRLA Board of Directors and the MHF Board of Trustees.

• MRLA Board of Directors: Plan and execute event logistics for Board of Directors events including quarterly meetings, strategic planning meetings, and others as needed under the direction of President & CEO
• MHF Board of Trustees: Plan and execute event logistics for Board of Trustees events including quarterly meetings, strategic planning meetings, and others as needed under the direction of Executive Vice President, Michigan Hospitality Foundation

3. Women in Hospitality Leadership Chapter management: Provide oversight of regional WIHL Chapters.

• Coordinate quarterly state-wide WIHL Chapter Board meetings to facilitate communication and collaboration between the chapters and the MRLA
• Coordinate with Chapter board members to create quarterly events for each chapter and work with the Marketing & Communications department for promotion of chapter events.
• Assist with reviewing potential board and chapter members
• Maintain membership records for WIHL Chapter involvement
• Coordinate chapter budgets in line with the Board approved annual budget

4. Administrative Support:

• Create and maintain events and records in MRLA's database
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date customer data within the MRLA's database including updating contact information, ensuring attendees are registered for events and receive proper communications

5. Other duties as assigned.

TEAM MRLA PERKS & BENEFITS

• Health Insurance coverage for you and your dependents
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending and/or Dependent Care Accounts
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with matching funds available
• 2 days Personal Time per year
• 12 days Sick Time per year
• 2-weeks paid vacation per year
• 10 paid Holidays per year
• Paid parking
• Access to Hotel Employee Rate travel program

PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITES

• Basic reading and writing skills, verbal and written communications skills, knowledge of mathematics and science and other general knowledge typically acquired through completion of a general high school program
• Thorough knowledge of the benefits of membership in the Association, as well as the products and services available to Association members
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to express the value of MRLA membership and products in a clear and compelling manner.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a warm and positive attitude.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience with CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, Atlas) is required.

GENERAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Ability to respond to direction and manage time within general priorities and parameters of job
• Demonstrates positive interactions with employees, members, service providers and program participants; provides support and assistance willingly
• Demonstrates professional image, maturity, self-confidence and positive attitudes.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those individual encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work will be performed indoors in a generally comfortable office environment as well as some travel to event locations.

Employees must possess the following physical requirements:

• Work will be performed in a hybrid environment, with three days in the office and two days remote.
• Able to communicate with staff on a telephone, and hear and speak clearly to members and others face to face
• Has vision sufficient to read printed documents, computer screens, forms, and other communications
• Able to sit or stand for long periods of time
• Able to reach above shoulder level to work, as well as bend, squat and sit, stand, stoop, crouch, reach, kneel, twist/turn, finger and feel
• Must have ability to travel locally and out-of-town for extended periods, using private or commercial transportation and staying in public accommodations
• Must have the physical ability to attend meetings, conventions, and other events, which may be held in large convention facilities with various accessibility, and maneuver through such facilities to perform a broad variety of duties
• Able to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and equipment weighing up to 25-50 pounds on a regular basis for event setup and breakdown, including boxes of materials, signage, registration supplies, and promotional items
• Capable of standing and walking for extended periods (4-8 hours) during event setup, execution, and teardown, often on concrete or hard surfaces
• Able to work in varying environmental conditions including indoor and outdoor event venues with potential exposure to extreme temperatures, noise levels, and crowded spaces
• Able to work non-traditional hours including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by event schedules
• Capable of performing repetitive motions associated with event logistics such as stuffing registration packets, arranging materials, and setting up booths or displays