KARA BURNS DENVER, CO 80203 | BURNSKARA@GMAIL.COM | (720) 891-8003

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

Sales / Event Coordination 10+ years successful sales experience in various environments; run sales reports and hold planning meetings 6+ years coordinating people and products including contract staff and vendors for events of over 500 attendees Comfortable with inside and outside sales including cold calling; effectively secure and retain clients Utilize a strong knowledge base in products and services to customer needs to proficiently close sales Innately personable giving way to quick rapport building with potential and current clients Execute effective customer service through the use of active listening and conflict resolution skill sets Extensive experience trouble shooting conflicts to meet customer needs Effectively verbal and oral communication skills Ability to remain calm and professional in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented workplaces Demonstrate strong organizational and time management skills Highly flexible, responding fluidly to changing assignments and workplace needs Familiar with: Aloha, Cater-ease, Mac Numbers, Mac Pages, Avionte, and Microsoft Office Suite

Leadership 4+ years’ experience supervising, overseeing, leading, and training staff and contract workers Completed the ServSafe Managers Course Certification through ServSafe® - Work Options for Women Invited to give an inspirational speech to 200+ adults as a part of Camp Experience’s Annual Retreat Regularly participate in influential speaking events to community youth as a part of Choices Program Invited to regularly participate in events including speaking to the community at Dress for the Success

Accomplishments Sponsored to attend Sandler Sales Training Boot Camp Retained and managed a business of large clients; increased TPM Denver Branch Sales by $90,000 in one month Acted as TPM Grand Junction Office Manager during vacation periods 2009 International Caterer’s Association RED Scholarship winner; attended training Personally grew Carte d’ Or Catering vendor list from O to over 10 preferred venues

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Catering Manager: Work Options for Women (WOW) 2015 - Present Promoted in November of 2015 to include managing up to 3 adult students / interns preparing breakfast, lunch, and varying sized caterings. Responsible for building and maintaining the WOW catering brand for up to three café’s. Match products to client needs and budgetary constraints, develop quotes, create invoices, receive payment, and track sales. Manage all aspects of events including pre-event ordering, staff execution, delivery, setup, and breakdown; coordinate WOW staff and vendors.

Staffing Coordinator: TPM Staffing Services 2013 - 2015 Developed and implemented effective strategies, marketing materials, and recruiting efforts for all job fairs. Skillfully solicited and matched job seekers with employers/clients. Collected demographic data from candidates in order to schedule pre-employment tests, reviewed resumes, and performed all on boarding paperwork associated with hiring. Broad knowledge of Avionte staffing computer program and the legal implications related to hiring, retention, and termination.

Event Designer: Lifestyle’s Catering 2008 - 2009 Coordinated corporate and social events specializing in wedding sales and shows, secured contracts with venues utilizing both inside, outside, and cold calling. Created detailed proposals in Cater-ease, and developed relationships with vendors including providing on and off-site tastings. Attended the 2008 Catercourse Convention in Las Vegas.

Director of Sales and Events, Carte d’Or Catering and Events 2005 - 2008 Secured contracts for and coordinated a variety of corporate and social events ensuring a steady flow of profit through inside, outside, and cold-called sales. Trained employees, managed day-to-day operations, established the internet marketing, social networking and competitive intelligence for the company, generated weekly sales reports and organized sales meetings. Participated in event set up from delivery to breakdown.

Sales Associate, PetCO 2003 - 2005 Provided highly effective service while assisting customers, upselling products, and completing sales.

EDUCATION

Business Marketing & Management: Metropolitan State University of Denver 2015 - Present