MONICA H. COMPTON, CMP
1902 Countryside Place, Atlanta, GA U.S.A.
Office: +1-770-819-0770 Mobile: +1-770-331-2187
Email: mcompton@pinnacleprod.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Writer/Editor, trained in AP Style (1991-present)
Collinson Publishing: Columnist and Feature Writer, Connect Meetings Intelligence and Rejuvenate
Meetings Inspiration magazines – Social/military/educational/fraternal events publication (2009-present)
Atlanta Metropolitan Publishing: Writer, Copy Editor, Plan Your Meetings Magazine (2008-present)
Meeting Professionals International: Managing Editor, BreakOut Magazine (2003-2004)
Journal Register Company: Reporter, The Mercury – A Pulitzer Prize-winning daily newspaper,
Pottstown, Pennsylvania (1991)
American Society of Business Publication Editors – Recipient of the Gold Award for Regular Column,
2010 Azbee Awards of Excellence
Member, Society for Professional Journalists – 2010 National Convention training
Owner, Event Marketing Consultant (2002-Present) ,
Pinnacle Productions Inc., Atlanta, Georgia; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Strategic events management; Corporate, Association and Non-profit writing – press releases, marketing materials, sponsorship and grant proposals. Programs include:
• Research In Motion’s Wireless Enterprise Symposium, Orlando, Florida (2008-present) – International conference of over 5,500 people from 83 countries. Negotiate and manage complete housing operations in eight hotels for this city-wide event.
• BlackBerry Developer Conference, San Francisco, California (2009) – Educational forum for worldwide developers of Smartphone mobile applications. Project manager for all logistical operations.
• Chick-fil-A Operators Seminar, Scottsdale, Arizona (2007) – National seminar for store franchisees. Managed extensive food and beverage requirements for 3,000 people.
• Alliance for a New Humanity Forum, San Juan, Puerto Rico (2006) – Global peace initiative joining Nobel Peace Prize laureates, Grammy Award-winning artists and United Nations ambassadors. Managed all facets of this non-profit program from complex international transportation requirements to extremely-restricted dietary menus with a slim-margin budget.
• Cardiovascular Services of America, Atlanta, Georgia (2006) – Catheter laboratories presentation and physician information panel with partnering hospitals. Performed site selection, managed all meeting logistics and production requirements.
• American College of Cardiology’s i2 Summit, Atlanta, Georgia (2006) – World-renown cardiovascular symposium. Managed VIP Faculty Lounge logistics for presenting physicians and speakers.
• Intervention 2005, Las Vegas, Nevada; New York, New York (2005) – Live cardiovascular symposium. Designed and wrote complete exhibitor kits; formulated menus in both cities according to pharmaceutical industry budgetary guidelines.
• IBM Systems and Technology Group University, San Diego, California; Barcelona, Spain; New Orleans, Louisiana (2005-2007) – Technology educational forum for employees and business partners. Coordinated registration and housing requirements, managed group room blocks and hotel contract obligations for 11 hotels domestically and abroad.
• QUALCOMM BREW Developers Conference, San Diego, California (2004-2008) – Annual conference for 2,500 technical developers. Managed a food and beverage budget in excess of $500,000.00 U.S.
• 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment Celebration, Atlanta, Georgia (2004) – World War II anniversary event. Managed complex catering requirements, décor, musicians and facility.
• Georgia-Pacific Five-Star Recognition Program, Multiple U.S. cities (2003) – Customer service recognition lunches and training programs in 20 North American cities. Performed site research and selection, housing coordination, food and beverage budget management, national shipping procedures and complete meeting logistics.
Vice President, 2000 – 2002
Director of Special Events, 1998-2000
Continental Sports/Continental Management Group, Atlanta, Georgia – Sports marketing and corporate events management agency. Responsibilities included:
• Events Division annual revenue forecast, staff salaries and bonuses for a staff of seven planners in three U.S.-based cities: Atlanta, Georgia; Detroit, Michigan; and Los Angeles, California.
• Spearheaded monthly staff training programs and updated events industry practices and tools
• Maintenance of event budgets ranging from $30,000.00 U.S. to $1.5 Million U.S.
• Managed events for U.S. Fortune 500 accounts including: America Online; Compaq/Hewlett-Packard; Ford Motor Company; and General Motors R*Works. Programs included:
o Ford’s Global Leadership Meeting and Industry Analyst Meeting – Detroit Auto Show
o Tokyo Motor Show – Ford’s CEO- and VP-level executive program, Tokyo, Japan
o Super Bowl XXXVI – AOL customer incentive, New Orleans, Louisiana
o Compaq’s Worldwide Executive Roundtable Series for CIO- and CEO-level clients:
? Monaco Grand Prix, Formula One race, Monte-Carlo, Monaco
? Jose Carreras Opera Gala Dinner, London, England
? Deep-sea fishing tournament, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
? Motorsports hospitality program, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
? Skeet shooting event at top executive’s private home, Bowral, Australia
Interim Director of Marketing and Media Relations, 1997-1998
Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
World-class land, air and water festival and the largest inland regatta in the United States.
• Designed sponsorship proposals through the creative packaging of media and special promotions
• Formulated sponsorship recap reports and evaluated media, publicity and event benefits received
• Acted as liaison for onsite sponsor relations and hospitality programs
• Wrote scripts for radio personalities and air show announcers
Director of Special Events, 1992-1997
DiCesare-Engler Productions Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Entertainment producers and promoters of concerts, festivals and special events.
• Developed thematic concept and programmed a concert/festival series at an outdoor amphitheatre
• Negotiated entertainer contracts; conveyed technical rider to production manager including sound, lights and staging requirements
• Oversaw logistical needs at event venue including box office/gate operations
• Serviced sponsor accounts and coordinated onsite hospitality to insure benefits are received
• Researched competitive markets, secured event sites and negotiated partnership agreements for a festival tour in: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; and Irvine, California
• Recruited over 900 exhibitors in three cities for a celebrity sports card show series
• Organized all show publicity including press conferences, onsite broadcasts, interviews and meet-and-greets with sports figures
• Created targeted direct mail pieces; wrote copy for print ads, radio and television commercials
TRAINING – EDUCATION – AWARDS
Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Global Certification (bestowed in 2003). Designation requires “substantial professional experience and superior examination performance” in the field of meeting planning, as awarded by the Convention Industry Council
Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Atlanta, Georgia (2001-present)
Director of Advertising, Government Advocacy and Community Outreach, Georgia Chapter of MPI (2006-2007)
Nominated for Meeting Planner of the Year (2006)
Recipient of the World Education Congress Scholarship (2005)
Micro Enterprise Assistance Program, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1996)
10-week Entrepreneurial Training Session in business management, marketing, accounting and finance
Complete business plan submitted at conclusion of course
Point Park University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1992)
Bachelor of Arts, English, with a concentration in Writing and Literature
Double Minors: Journalism and Communications, with a concentration in Writing and Copyediting; Performing Arts, with a concentration in Ballet
Languages: English (First); German (Formerly fluent); Spanish (Minimal conversation; studying to become fluent); French (Minimal conversation – Studied at University)