CV
Professional Summary
I am a born and raised Southern Californian and I currently split my time between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. I am a seasoned event producer with 13+ years of experience in event production. Additionally, I have a passion for health and wellness and am a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach.
I began my event planning career while interning on my college campus at UCSB in the Conference Services department back in 2007. After graduation, I continued with events on campus working at the University Center. Wanting to broaden my horizons I moved to San Diego and quickly worked my way up from Program Manager to Director of Operations with a local DMC. This work experience prepared me to work on larger scale productions with tech brands like Google and SoftBank Vision Fund.
When COVID-19 disrupted the events industry, I took this time to reskill and uplevel my current skill sets. I got certified as a Digital Event Strategist through PCMA and in Cvent's Event Management. I am also currently working on my Project Management Certification through UCI.
I am passionate about the events industry and how this work unites people to elicit growth and commonality of purpose.
I look forward to connecting with you.
Skills & Areas of Expertise
Live & Digital Event Strategy Operations & Logistics for Live, Digital, Hybrid Project Management Contracts Marketing Communications
Team & Agency Management Program Content Budgets
Vendor Sourcing Food & Beverage Execs & VIPs Decor
Registration Activations & Pop-Ups Evening Events Transportation
Work Experience
February 2015 - Current
Event Producer, Melissa Patruno Events & Experiences
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Spearheads and oversees domestic and international programs spanning technology, pharma, and finance verticals as well as Fortune 500 companies. Clients and Projects include Dynamic Events/Sony Playstation, Beckman Coulter, Meeting Alliance/Novartis, ACCESS Orange County, Voices Project
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Cultivates positive, trust-based relationships with a diverse client base while handling all aspects of event strategy, project management, vendor sourcing, budget management, operations, logistics, contracting, program content, marketing communications, and more.
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Gains a deep understanding of client needs and goals in order to deliver optimal final results.
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Charts the successful development of dynamic event strategies aligned with the goals and objectives of each client.
June 2020 - Current
Digital Event Coordinator, Maritz Automotive
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Digital Event Coordinator for Lexus online training program for Dealership Managers and Associates delivered via a 3-hour live webcast.
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Works with production/filming crew to coordinate logistics for filming pre-recorded content at Lexus HQ in Plano, TX. Helps manage coordination with various onsite departments at Lexus HQ for load-in, shoot days, and live event days. Assist with coordinating remote video kits for remote shoots.
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Manages registration of 4,000 employees via their internal LMS system. Handles all registration comms and surveys.
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Work with web designer team to create event web pages to live on Lexus internal employee website.
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Vetted digital event webcast and remote video platforms. Work with digital event platform and internal Lexus production team to create webcast.
May 2020 - Current
Green Room Concierge | Engineer, Soundings Connect
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Green Room Concierge and Engineer for client of Soundings Connect - Intrado.
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Manages the back-end on Intrado’s platform for live webcasts.
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Works with Intrado’s clients to ensure speakers/content were displayed correctly and technical issues were handled efficiently and quickly.
February 2020 - March 2020
Event Producer, SALT & Optimist
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Producer for Sandbox Expo for Google Marketing Live ’20 conference.
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Worked very closely with principal creative agency, Optimist.
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Worked with internal Google product line teams to ideate and bring to life each demo.
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Responsible for managing vendors and logistical execution.
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Role and program was postponed due to COVID-19 and ended in March.
July 2019 - January 2020
Event Producer, SoftBank Vision Fund
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Played a key role as the Event Producer for the $10M Vision Fund CEO Summit responsible for delivering an exceptional food & beverage experience and coordinating wellness activities and transportation.
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Served as Lead Producer for the Vision Fund Women’s Tech Summit, including providing dynamic leadership and overseeing the internal content manager, registration manager, and lead, brand, and content agencies.
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Maintained a strategic focus on the organization’s mission and vision to ensure alignment with events.
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Leveraged strong interpersonal and communication skills to develop event strategy in close collaboration with internal teams.
January 2019 - May 2019
Event Producer, Google
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Catering lead for Google’s largest conference, Next, while managing an $8M budget.
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Oversaw and coordinated all meals for 25K+ attendees, staff/crew members, and sponsors.
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Maintained responsibility for crowd flow and line management for food & beverage events with 25K+ attendees spanning multiple venues.
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Adhered to company principles while coordinating logistics in order to provide a ‘Googley’ experience for all event attendees.
Education
2007
Bachelor of Arts, English
University of California, Santa Barbara
in progress
Project Management Professional Certifcation
University of California, Irvine
2020
Digital Event Strategist Certification
PCMA
2020
Advanced Event Management Certification
Cvent
2018
Functional Diagnostics Certification
Academy of Integrative Medicine for Health Coaches
2016
Health Coaching Certification
Institute of Integrative Nutrition
Interests
In my personal life, I love to be in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes or outside planting and gardening. Movement and stillness are both very important to me. I have been practicing yoga for over 15 years and love Pilates as a previous dancer. I am also down for a good HIIT class or lifting weights with my boyfriend. I have a daily mindfulness & meditation practice and I integrate to the best of my ability what I've learned in my health and nutrition studies. I love traveling and experiencing new places. Oh, and I have the cutest French Bulldog, named Darth. You can follow me on Instagram and see how this all comes together.
