rachel guest

* Appointed to manage the organisation of a series of international congresses, ranging in scale from 250 to 10,000 attendees, for one of the largest independent conference and exhibition organising companies in the UK. * Portfolio includes a range of high profile international events working with leading national and international associations within the fields of transportation, architecture, engineering, policing and emergency services. * Managing the working relationship with the clients from concept to completion, through frequent liaison to ensure all expectations are completely satisfied and all parties understand and adhere to project deadlines and common goals within the budget set. * Full responsibility for event planning, financial budgets (averaging £1million) and project delivery, reporting directly to the managing and finance directors. * Appointing all contractors and typically managing an onsite team of up to 100 people. * Working with the Managing Director in planning and presenting tenders for new event management contracts.

Recruited to deliver all sponsor benefits and branding requirements for the world’s largest conference dedicated to liquefied natural gas held in Africa, involving €2.5million in sponsorship revenue from nearly 50 of the world’s largest oil and gas companies, notably BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil, Saipem ENI, Shell and Total. Working closely with clients, internal project teams and suppliers both within the UK and internationally. Negotiated a 20% reduction in sponsorship costs against budget. Additionally created new packages which went on to generate €500,000 in revenue.

Managed the organisation of the 16th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems (www.itsworldcongress.com) in Stockholm in September for 5000 delegates and 1200 speakers, and the ACPO-APA International Policing Summer Conference in Manchester in July, for 500 delegates.

Operations Manager on 4th International OPEC Seminar, 18-19 March 2009, Hofburg Palace, Vienna. www.opecseminar.org

Responsible for the cost effective and efficient end to end delivery of all 300 events in the emap events portfolio: ranging from VIP dinners and workshops to 3 day multi-stream congresses and exhibitions - Responsible for the adherence to budget both for individual conferences and for the logistics department as a whole - Managed the recruitment, training, motivation, development and regular appraisal for the team of 18 event co-ordinators

Portfolio of 200 conferences, exhibitons and seminars for the Maritime, Oil and Gas sector. - Responsible for the management, recruitment, training and development of 12 co-ordinators and event managers

Responsible for all cost of sales (venues, speakers, documentation) for the conference division. Jointly reporting to the conference director and the CEO for Informa Professional (Publishing & Conferences). - Appointed to Board of Directors for Informa Professional providing quarterly reports on conference cost of sales. Project management of teams’ annual flagship event, the Legal IT Show with 1500 attendees and over 100 exhibition stands and multi-stream conference

Responsible for recruitment and training of new staff as well as appraisal, professional development and training of existing staff. Worked with an outside trainer to devise a 4 day staggered training programme on Assertiveness for 8 co-ordinators in the legal and financial teams with good results - Project Manager for teams’ flagship event, held annually at the Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland. A four day residential event with £500,000 sponsorship, multi-stream conference, Highland Games and Awards dinner. Managed award entries, judges, celebrity speaker, rehearsals and final on site organisation. Managed profit and loss for the event.

Split role producing and co-ordinating, reporting to two research managers and co-ordination director - Produced 6 conference programmes including the IT Law Summer School, a 5 day residential conference held in Cambridge with over 30 speakers. Design & print of final brochure. Marketing plan for each event

* ICAEW is a world-leading professional membership organisation that supports over 140,000 chartered accountants around the world providing qualifications and professional development across accountancy, finance and business. * ICAEW delivers a diverse events and CPD programme from multi-stream conferences, career development seminars, evening receptions and dinners, technical update roadshows, exhibitions and webinars. * Appointed to lead the events team of 8 event executives to deliver nearly 400 annual events through the effective management of stakeholder and business relationships.

Activities and Societies: Member of Bedford Rowing Club 1990 - 1993 and regularly competed in regattas