Marla Burk

Dynamic and results-oriented Event Strategist with over 20 years of professional experience in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry. Proficient in project management, budget oversight, and stakeholder engagement, I have driven successful outcomes from board meetings to citywide conferences and events. My expertise lies in leveraging strategic planning, innovative event technology solutions, streamlining workflow processes, and collaborative partnerships to achieve objectives and deliver exceptional event experiences. I am committed to fostering outstanding customer experiences and driving organizational success, and I am eager to contribute my leadership and expertise to your organization.

• Project Management Professional (PMP), 08/2024
• Digital Event Strategist (DES) Certification, Professional Convention Management Association
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Certification, Events Industry Council

• American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)
• Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)
• Project Management Institute (PMI)

• Adept at handling crisis situations, making quick decisions, and coordinating multiple channels and conversations simultaneously.
• Proficient in project management, development of KPIs & ROI analysis, personnel management, safety protocol establishment, and quality monitoring & measurement.

• Skilled in building consensus across multiple organizational levels.
• Ability to create and execute a vision, demonstrate commercial awareness, foster customer engagement, manage relationships, and drive marketing & community engagement initiatives.

• Effectively directed the strategic vision and operational oversight for a portfolio of 12 national student leadership events, accommodating participant numbers ranging from 20 to 8,700 between 2008 and 2021.
• Head of the conference department served as a member of the senior leadership team and liaison between the department and the board of directors and program committee from 2008 to 2021.
• Oversaw conference and event portfolio budget exceeding $2.5 million, representing 56% of the organization's annual revenue.
• Directed successful organization of a citywide student leadership conference, attracting over 8,800 middle/high school students and educators annually with a $1.7 million budget.
• Achieved unprecedented revenue of $2.8 million in 2019, marking the highest in FCCLA's 75-year history up to that point, through strategic planning and initiatives aimed at revenue enhancement.
• Implemented innovative strategies, resulting in a 46% increase in conference attendance over a ten-year period.
• Supervised a diverse team, including two meeting planners, interns, temporary staff, and volunteers, for seamless conference execution.
• Managed all aspects of conference logistics: venue selection, contract negotiations, budgeting, scheduling, registration, accommodations, catering, transportation, and onsite operations.
• Cultivated and sustained relationships with key stakeholders to achieve conference goals and secure sponsorships and partnerships.
• Adapted conference formats and implemented virtual event solutions to navigate challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.