Special Events

I'm passionate about producing high-level, high-profile events that help an organization build their brand, get their message across and build audience.

Every event has a goal and I work closely with key staff to ensure successful outcomes of all stated goals whether they may be raising funds, turning audiences into users, customers, supporters, potential donors, or other stakeholders or simply to expand an audience base.

I've successfully produced single-day events for 40 people to multi-day events for over 40,000 people overseeing every aspect of event production, asset negotiation, event marketing, communications and outreach, volunteer coordination, sponsor acquisition and fulfillment, and much more.

Design and layout provided by: me

Responsible for the strategic development and implementation of all marketing, design, public relations activities, development and fundraising, sponsor acquisition and fulfillment, and management of volunteers and employees and all other related functions to ensure the proper proceeding and presentation of events.

When goals that were created in your strategic development are met, audiences just enjoy and remember the fun, compelling moments, take-aways and the calls-to-action the event was meant to foster.

Below is a video that was created to highlight the 9-day North Beach Jazz Festival in 2001. Featuring Carlos Santana, Bobby Hutcherson, Benny Reitveld, Irvin Mayfield, Kermit Ruffins, Benny Maupin, Jaz Sawyer and other musicians who performed in the 7th Annual North Beach Jazz Festival, it provides a nice perspective on the energy and vibe of the week-long series of events but further serves as a document of accomplished goals.

Demonstrated ability to work on and oversee multiple events with competing dates and shifting priorities. Understanding of local, city and state government (as well as national/IRS) regulations related to specific components in producing special events. Have worked with diverse constituencies and maintain a solid understanding of the proper protocols and diplomacy used in interacting with specific audiences, clients and representatives of partner organizations, companies and institutions.

Strong artistic experience in developing new, creative programming for audiences as well, spanning many disciplines including theater, visual arts, music/jazz, spoken word and film. I enjoy developing timely, educational and compelling arts programming, which I had a substantial chance to do through my work with sf|noir. The creative artistic process also is a strong factor in developing key leadership characteristics in successfully leading teams through projects, as so well stated in this June 2013 article from Inc. Magazine.

The North Beach Jazz Festival's, Jazz On Coit, was the only concert of its kind ever on Coit Tower in San Francisco history. 

Case Study

Once hired as Marketing Director for First Graduate, one of my primary duties was to manage the annual agency fundraiser that was to take place in 6 months. Going through notes for that fundraiser, I noticed inconsistencies with the event and the organization's mission and opportunities to improve on the event's impact on the eco-system of the organization (staff, funders, students, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders), as well as increasing revenue.

I persuaded the executive director to allow me to take one-on-one meetings with each of our board members to engage in conversations, really a fact-finding mission, about their perception of the current annual fundraiser. With the information collected, I created and proposed an entirely new concept for the fundraiser, presented it at the next board meeting and received complete buy-in from the board.

I organized the first Cap & Gown Gala with the help of key staff and volunteers and once complete, it raised more money for the organization than the previous 4 annual fundraisers combined. I Associate Produced an 8 minute short film that was screened at the Gala and provided collateral design, content development and layout services for the 32-page Official program book. The Cap & Gown Gala continues to grow and receive publicity, and continues today as the main annual fundraiser for First Graduate.

At the first Cap & Gown Gala (from left to right), Chuck Smith, retired President & CEO of AT&T West and previous First In Family Award Winner; First Graduate mentor and local politician Abel Guillen; First Graduate Executive Director Rozanne Junker; First In Family Award Recipient Dr. Robert Birgeneau, Chancellor of UC Berkeley; First Graduate Board Chair Bill Woodson