GRACE RUGANIZA

As an entrepreneurial event planner and events manager, I have garnered a stellar reputation for delivering exceptional weddings and events while prioritising customer satisfaction and community impact. With a creative vision, meticulous attention to detail, and effective organisational skills, I have successfully curated unforgettable experiences for my clients. Key achievements include:

• Meticulously organising and executing event logistics to enhance attendee experiences.
• Consistently delivering high-quality weddings and events tailored to clients' needs, resulting in boosted satisfaction.
• Effective budget management, ensuring successful events within financial constraints.
• Sourcing and securing appropriate venues, ensuring seamless event execution and guest comfort.
• Building strong vendor relationships, negotiating favourable contracts for clients.
• Developing efficient systems for event registration, set-up, and breakdown to streamline processes.
• Coordinating staffing schedules and managing on-site personnel to ensure smooth event flow.
• Exceeding client expectations with creative event design concepts that capture their vision.
• Implementing innovative marketing strategies to increase event attendance.
• Negotiating discounts with vendors and suppliers to reduce costs without compromising quality.
• Increasing brand visibility through strategic sponsorship opportunities and partnerships.
• Curating engaging entertainment options and activities, delivering memorable attendee experiences.
• Maximizing client ROI through accurate budgeting, financial reporting, and post-event analysis.
• Maintaining detailed timelines for timely completion of all event responsibilities.
• Collaborating closely with clients to develop comprehensive event plans aligned with objectives.
• Utilising social media effectively to promote events and drive attendance.
• Coordinating transportation and parking arrangements for guests and vendors. Overall, my dedication to excellence and my ability to exceed client expectations have been integral to the success of my business as a wedding planner and events manager.

As a Conference and Events Attendant, I delivered exceptional hospitality experiences to members and guests, consistently exceeding premium service standards. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for customer service, I ensured the smooth operation of serviced meeting spaces, managing setup and pack-down for each reservation. I built rapport with guests to understand their needs and facilitated their requirements effectively. Additionally, I coordinated bookings for serviced meeting rooms, oversaw event facilitation, and provided Barista coffee and catering services. Maintaining cleanliness and organisation was paramount, achieved through diligent adherence to cleaning checklists. By fostering outstanding relationships with members and guests, I ensured the seamless execution and delivery of events, meetings, and conferences, guaranteeing a truly exceptional hospitality experience for all.

As an experienced Event Planner, I successfully orchestrated large-scale corporate events and weddings, utilising specialised event management software including Event Draw and VenueOpps. My role involved meticulously planning and executing events, maximising venue space and guest satisfaction. I implemented effective seating arrangement strategies, coordinated with vendors, and managed event timelines to ensure seamless operations. With a strong focus on exceptional customer service, I established and nurtured relationships with clients, vendors, and venue teams, consistently exceeding expectations in event delivery.

Proficiently adapted to new skills and improved efficiency while carrying out daily duties accurately and efficiently. Demonstrated respect, friendliness, and willingness to assist stakeholders, ensuring compliance and providing feedback for future events. Contributed to developing and reviewing the annual calendar of community events, implementing and monitoring event management processes and procedures. Collaborated with the PR and Stakeholder Engagement Department for advertising and sponsorship opportunities, maintaining a customer-focused service approach by responding promptly to correspondence. Ensured compliance with standards, policies, and regulatory guidelines for a safe working environment, thriving in a fast-paced setting and meeting tight deadlines. Oversaw event operations, resolved issues, and trained team members and volunteers, while researching vendors, coordinating event logistics, and managing setup and teardown. Developed and maintained a year-round event calendar to increase brand awareness and engagement, establishing clear objectives, tracking results, and measuring impact. Created marketing plans, grew event revenue, and partnered with hotels and facilities, managing the event center's online presence and improving event communications. Handled administrative logistics of event planning, booking, and promotions, supervised onsite teams, provided support to senior leadership, organised meeting logistics, took detailed notes, and disseminated information. Cultivated relationships with wedding suppliers for optimal products and pricing, and conducted onboarding for new temporary employees.

Effectively collected and managed data on the use of restrictive practice, developing and managing databases to ensure accuracy and compliance. Prepared and monitored ongoing incident reports to the NDIS Commission, staying updated on new restraints requiring additional reporting. Provided administrative support for panel meetings, including minute preparation and outcome summary reports. Applied newly acquired skills to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity, while identifying and analysing issues to provide effective solutions. Managed documents, organised forms, filed records, prepared correspondence, and created reports to meet quality data collection targets. Conducted systems and data analysis using various computer languages and procedures, leading projects and identifying improvement opportunities. Utilised Microsoft Excel to create spreadsheets for daily, weekly, and monthly reporting, employing critical thinking to evaluate solutions and make informed decisions. Completed paperwork, recognised discrepancies, and promptly addressed them for resolution.

• Engaged and entertained children through a variety of recreational and educational activities, supporting teachers with classroom management and document coordination to maintain a positive learning environment. Set up visual aids, equipment, and classroom displays to enhance lesson delivery, supervising children during in-classroom activities and on the playground. Collaborated with teachers to promote appropriate care and education for a group of 20 children, communicating with parents regarding their child's progress and behavour. Interacted with children individually and in small groups to support learning activities and social-emotional development, while maintaining classrooms through disinfection and organization. Delivered clear instructions to aid student decision-making and enforced rules to maintain discipline. Additionally, assisted teachers in preparing instructional materials, maintained administrative records, and stepped into non-classroom environments as needed to support staff. Demonstrated specific skills and activities to enhance student understanding, operated classroom equipment, developed lesson plans, and built relationships with parents to provide the best learning environment for children.