ALLISON DREZEK
Richmond
Summary
Operations and venue management professional with over a decade of experience leading high-volume public facilities and events. Specializes in managing cross-functional teams, overseeing event logistics, and enhancing guest experiences while ensuring compliance with safety standards.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Experience Infrastructure Manager
SCIENCE MUSEUM OF VIRGINIA
Richmond
08.2022 - Current
- Lead venue operations for a high-volume public facility hosting daily programming, special events, rentals, and large-scale public events with attendance exceeding 5,000 guests.
- Direct daily venue and event operations including staffing, safety, facility readiness, vendor coordination, and guest experience execution.
- Supervise a multi-layered operations team consisting of 13 direct reports and 10 indirect reports across security, housekeeping, guest operations, and facility support functions.
- Coordinate closely with Facilities, Exhibits, Guest Services, Marketing, IT, and Events teams to ensure successful event execution.
- Coordinate event setup, operational logistics, crowd flow, emergency planning, and post-event breakdown activities for public events and rentals.
- Oversee venue vendors and subcontractors including security, housekeeping, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, grounds, and maintenance providers.
- Ensure operational compliance with OSHA/VOSH safety standards and internal operational procedures.
- Serve as Designated Safety Officer and emergency management lead during public events and facility incidents.
- Transitioned Security and Housekeeping departments from contracted services to fully in-house operations, enhancing operational consistency and service standards.
- Develop staffing plans and schedules based on attendance projections, operational demands, and event requirements.
- Manage venue access control systems, security operations, emergency procedures, and incident response documentation.
- Track operational reporting related to attendance, finance, discounts, and event-related metrics.
- Manage Ticketure ticketing operations, including event builds, promotions, troubleshooting, reporting requirements, and staff training.
- Coordinate with Capitol Police, EMS, vendors, and external stakeholders during emergency and operational situations.
Guest Services Manager
SCIENCE MUSEUM OF VIRGINIA
Richmond
01.2016 - 05.2016
- Led guest operations teams to deliver exceptional customer service and ensure seamless operational support.
- Coordinated staffing to align with departmental labor budgets and meet operational demands effectively.
- Created and instituted operational procedures, policies, and training programs to enhance staff performance.
- Managed digital signage scheduling and operational readiness throughout the venue.
- Responded to operational incidents and emergencies while completing detailed incident documentation.
Warehouse Manager | Product Manager | Customer Service Representative
HOHNER, INC.
01.2005 - 12.2015
- Coordinated logistics, inventory operations, purchasing, and vendor relationships to ensure seamless supply chain management.
- Tracked purchasing and operational costs to meet budget goals and support operational efficiency.
- Directed nationwide trade show planning, setup logistics, and staff travel coordination to enhance brand visibility.
- Managed high-profile accounts including Amazon, Guitar Center, and Musician’s Friend.
Manager of Guest Experience & Inspiration
SCIENCE MUSEUM OF VIRGINIA
Richmond
05.2016 - 08.2022
- Directed front-of-house operations and guest services teams supporting daily operations and high-attendance public events.
- Managed staffing allocation and scheduling, ensuring optimal operational coverage to uphold high guest service standards in fast-paced environment.
- Coordinated security coverage, emergency response, and incident management during public operations and events.
- Collaborated on operational planning and execution for the Museum’s reopening following COVID shutdowns.
- Collaborated with Marketing, Events, Facilities, Exhibits, and Education teams to enhance venue programming and execution of special events.
- Temporarily managed Museum Events operations, ensuring organized and successful execution of public and private events.
- Contributed to implementation and operational rollout of Altru and Ticketure ticketing systems, improving guest experience management.
Education
Regulatory Aspects of Safety and Risk Control -
Virginia Commonwealth University
01-2025
Campus Emergencies Prevention, Response, and Recovery – Customized Management and Planning Level -
National Center for Biomedical Research and Training Academy of Counter-Terrorism Education Course
01-2025
Risk Management for Public Entities -
Virginia Commonwealth University
01-2024
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
Radford University
Skills
- Venue & Event Operations
- Event logistics
- Guest Experience Operations
- Safety & Security Management
- Vendor & Contractor Oversight
- Staffing & Labor Coordination
- Event Setup & Breakdown Operations
- Emergency management
- Team leadership
- Operational planning
- Event ticketing
- Budget oversight
Technology And Systems
- Ticketure
- Altru
- Patrons Edge
- TAM
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Google Workspace
- Hikvision
- Mvix
- Wondersign
- Site Docs
- EVA
- Access Control Systems
- Digital Signage Platforms
- Meraki
- Alta CCTV
- Canva
- Asset Panda
- ID Assure
Timeline
Experience Infrastructure Manager
SCIENCE MUSEUM OF VIRGINIA
08.2022 - Current
Manager of Guest Experience & Inspiration
SCIENCE MUSEUM OF VIRGINIA
05.2016 - 08.2022
Guest Services Manager
SCIENCE MUSEUM OF VIRGINIA
01.2016 - 05.2016
Warehouse Manager | Product Manager | Customer Service Representative
HOHNER, INC.
01.2005 - 12.2015
Regulatory Aspects of Safety and Risk Control -
Virginia Commonwealth University
Campus Emergencies Prevention, Response, and Recovery – Customized Management and Planning Level -
National Center for Biomedical Research and Training Academy of Counter-Terrorism Education Course
Risk Management for Public Entities -
Virginia Commonwealth University
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
Radford University