1. LEANNA A. SURINA
6805 Langston Drive | Austin, Texas 78723 | lasurina@hotmail.com | 512-791-6581 cell
SUMMARY
Innovative, results-oriented, mulit-tasker with proven success with ROI and ROO for the meetings and events industry. Prodigious skill and
knowledge in strategic and logistical planning, negotiation, presentations, event marketing/promotion, fiscal accountability, people management and
customer services.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
PRA Destination Management Austin - Account Manager, 10/09-Present
● Creative development of winning proposals with innovative solutions to achieve program goals and meet key performance indicators for
clients within the medical, financial services, technology, association, publishing and retail industries
● Detailed program development including qualifying leads, determining event goals, site selection, contract negotiations, vendor selections,
transportation, speaker procurement, event itineraries and inclusions, event design, entertainment, interactive/experiential concepts,
staffing requirements, and program costing with special attention to clients’ ROO while successfully maintaining desired program margins
● Cultivated vendor relationships and negotiated preferred pricing to increase profitability
iTevents- Ideas Transformed - Creative Director and Event Manager, 4/07- 9/09
● Responsible for all aspects of event management including budget development, site selection, contract negotiations, vendor selections,
proposal planning, hotel attrition/cancellation negotiations, production of meeting materials, logistical planning, communication/distribution
of event details, on-site management, and staffing
● Directed creative design for all events including innovative solutions for branded print materials and invitations, themed event design,
custom/branded prop design and production, and overall decor concepts
● Developed corporate and fundraising event marketing strategies including branding concepts and event promotions using branded event
designs, press releases, television spots, print ads, e-mail campaigns, social media, and trade show participation with focus on ROI
High Beam Events - SXSW Inc - Contract Event Planner, 9/08-7/09
● Worked as a team of six to plan and execute 115 events over ten days during SXSW Festival including defining event scope and budget,
site selection, vendor procurement, contract negotiation, and management of event staff at multiple locations during simultaneous events
for clients in the entertainment, technology and retail industries with event revenues exceeding $1,000,000.00
● Designed and executed marketing event strategy for Palm Door (event venue managed by High Beam) including participation at
industry trade show, booth design, marketing materials, open house reception concept/design and vendor partner procurement, on-site
management, and event lead follow-up resulting in 32% of bookings for the year
Omni Austin Hotel Downtown - Catering Sales Manager, 1/05-4/07
● Account development and cultivation of client relationships to increase retention and develop new prospects for future events
● Led successful promotion to increase wedding market revenues resulting in a 212% increase in bookings over previous year
● Detailed and ensured accurate documentation of event needs, provided concise communication of service requirements to front of house,
banquet, and kitchen staff, oversaw successful completion of events and event design
Interstate Hotels & Resorts (DoubleTree | Hilton | Lakeway Inn Conference Resort) - Conference Services & Catering Sales Manager, 1/01-12/04
● Oversaw successful planning and completion of program needs including meeting logistics, CMP services, audio visual needs, rooming
lists, transportation, golf tournaments, large group spa services, negotiated outside vendor contracts for entertainment and team building
activities, and provided concise communication of service requirements to front of house, banquet, and kitchen staff
● Utilized innovative event concepts and creative proposals to drive catering sales and consistently exceed personal booking goals through
effective negotiation of event contracts to increase average booking rates with a focus on yield management
● Selected to Task Force at Lakeway Inn Conference Resort to trouble shoot in Conference Services Department
● Demonstrated outstanding customer service with a 95.8% rating based on Function Evaluation Forms
● Awarded Manager of the Quarter 2002 for outstanding leadership and team development
COMPUTER & DESKTOP PUBLISHING SKILLS
Proficient in both PC and Mac platforms including:
● Desktop publishing including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, In-Design, Director 11, Dreamweaver, ImageReady
● FileMaker PRO, Word, Excel, Power Point
● Industry tools including StarCite, Citrix, Delphi, Google Docs
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Carnegie Mellon University- Pittsburgh, PA- Fine Art
National Association of Catering Executives
● Newsletter Board Chair 2006 & Chapter Fundraising Chair 2007
● Eat the Heat Fundraiser Marketing & PR Chair 2005 & Print Materials 2006