Shana Rafter
Melbourne,Australia
Summary
Dynamic Event Manager with a proven track record at Dataxis Africa Ltd, achieving a 35% revenue increase through strategic event planning and budget management. Expert in stakeholder engagement and public speaking, I excel in delivering high-quality conferences that resonate with industry leaders while fostering collaborative team environments.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Event Manager (Conference Producer) - EMEA
Dataxis Africa Ltd
Black River, Mauritius
10.2018 - 10.2023
- Research of the TMT market within the EMEA regions, while developing conference agendas, securing senior industry speakers, and analyzing market trends to ensure the provision of relevant content delivered in the highest quality format to industry leaders.
- Management of the planning and execution of 10-plus annual conferences, resulting in a 65% increase in speaker participation and a 35% revenue increase over five years.
- Achievement of a 20% reduction in event costs by effective management of budgets and contract renegotiation.
- Identification of niche markets for the conception and launch of new conferences in the EMEA market.
- Onsite event management, delivering welcome speeches, moderating live panel discussions, and assisting speakers, exhibitors, and delegates with ongoing needs.
- Management of budgeting and financial planning for conferences, ensuring cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.
- Conducting post-event evaluations and analysis, as well as identifying strengths, areas for improvement, and opportunities for future growth.
- Coordination of cross-functional teams to develop compelling content for all conferences.
- Oversight of marketing and promotional activities, including website content, social media campaigns, and email communications, to maximize conference attendance and engagement.
Conference & Events Planning Coordinator
RACV City Club
Melbourne, Australia
07.2017 - 06.2018
- Social Events Coordinator specialising in the coordination of high-level events at one of the leading upscale boutique venues in Melbourne's CBD
- Management of event logistics for 15 plus annual events held within the premises of RACV City Club including product launches, conferences, fundraising dinners, social events and weddings
- Ensure all telephone, written and personal enquiries are dealt with in a professional manner and in line with RACV standards
- Maintenance of vendor relationships, resulting in timely service delivery
- Building and maintaining client database and monitoring all required reports (forecasting, KPIs, monthly calendar) are fulfilled in a timely manner for effective planning
Event Sales Coordinator
Epicure
Melbourne, Australia
03.2014 - 05.2017
- Coordination of high-profile events for the City of Melbourne as the main liaison between the Melbourne Town Hall and City of Melbourne Events
- Planning and execution of 75 plus prestigious national and international events within City of Melbourne including maintenance of vendor and client relationships
- Staff management and regular training
- Placement of regular sales calls promoting the event space and services to existing clients to increase repeat business
- Cold-calling and pitching event services to potential clients to increase sales and revenue
- Coordination and hosting of networking events for prospective clients by building ongoing relationships
- Budget management, tracking expenses, and reconciling invoices to ensure financial accuracy
- Compilation and delivery of post-event debriefs and preparation of summary reports for internal review to ensure future improvement
Event Service Coordinator
Grand Hyatt Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia
10.2014 - 02.2017
- Management of events within five-star hotel event spaces ensuring every event delivers memorable experiences by adherence to the highest possible standards of practice
- Coordination of over 200 diverse corporate and social events whilst maintaining a high level of customer service and satisfaction
- Provision of on-site event coordination and assistance, oversight of setup, execution, and bump-out activities to ensure smooth operations
- Collaborating with culinary staff and kitchen staff to ensure timely delivery of food service, presentation and quality
- Training banquet team members, providing guidance on service techniques, guest interaction, and problem-solving strategies
- Inventory management, including ordering supplies, tracking usage, and auditing stock levels to support efficient banquet operations
- Ensuring compliance with health and safety standards in banquet areas, including food handling, equipment maintenance, and cleanliness protocols are maintained
Education
Diploma - Event Management
William Angliss Insitute of TAFE
Melbourne, Australia01.2009
Diploma - Integrated Marketing Communications - Brand Management
DCDM Business School
Quatre-Bornes, Mauritius01.2004
Skills
- Event Management
- Budget Management
- Venue/Site Management
- Project management
- Event staff management
- Communication & Negotiation Skills
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
- IT & CRM Proficiency
- Public speaking
- Stakeholder management
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
French
Native/ Bilingual
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Event Manager (Conference Producer) - EMEA
Dataxis Africa Ltd
10.2018 - 10.2023
Conference & Events Planning Coordinator
RACV City Club
07.2017 - 06.2018
Event Service Coordinator
Grand Hyatt Melbourne
10.2014 - 02.2017
Event Sales Coordinator
Epicure
03.2014 - 05.2017
Diploma - Event Management
William Angliss Insitute of TAFE
Diploma - Integrated Marketing Communications - Brand Management
DCDM Business School