Welcome to Brazen Careerist!

About Me

Laura brings to Hi-Viz more than 20 years experience in event production. Her professional career kicked off at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida where she was involved in the production of large scale events for both Disney and the array of Fortune 500 companies that chose the resort for their meetings and brand events. From Disney, Laura moved to PGI where she continued producing for clients such as Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, IBM, RJ Reynolds and Xerox.

In 2002, PGI introduced Laura to production methods in the UK and she has never looked back. She dove right in and has been successfully producing events in Africa, the EU and the UK ever since.

Laura is particularly skilled at brand experiences and has begun utilising social marketing and viral campaigns to promote public events. With this trailblazer mentality, and a creative sense that has served her clients well, Laura thrives on projects that require technical knowledge, a creative flair and a good sense of humour all making for an exciting event experience.

Work History

• Self-Employed
• Event Producer
• January 2005 to January 2009

• Event Producer for consumer brand experiences, incentives and internal communications. Expert at effective delivery of creative concept that gets people talking before, during and well after the event! Some clients include Activision, American Express, LexisNexis, NFL & Zain.

• TWIST Process Innovations Ltd
• Brand & Communications Manager
• July 2005 to January 2007

• Reinvented the TWIST brand through the production of 4 events - to include a SEPA workshop, attended by members of the European Parliament, in Brussels - redesign of the website, design and implementation of introductory print materials, initiated a quarterly newsletter and increased media attention. A Simultaneous website re-launch, customer event and press activity around SEPA initiatives led to a 30% increase in website hits and 50% increase in paid sponsorships. (www.twiststandards.org)

• PGI
• Event Producer
• Febuary 2000 to August 2005

• PGI (later became TBA Global Events) is a global destination and communications agency with 26 offices in the US, Canada, UK, Greece & Germany. Excelled at being a company-wide utility player – held various positions (producer, associate producer, technical director, stage manager, deck manager, accountant and overall details ‘Net’), on various projects, for several offices (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, London, Long Beach, Orlando, New York, San Francisco & Washington D.C.) and a diverse roster of clients (i.e. RJ Reynolds, Delta Air Lines, BellSouth, IBM, etc.)

• Walt Disney World Resort
• Event Technician
• January 1990 to April 1999

• Technical delivery of special events on the Walt Disney Resort to include corporate events, product launches, shareholder meetings, themed parties, press events, etc. Skills included lighting, rigging, scenic, props, special effects & pyro. Did two tours: Resort Entertainment, May 1989- June 1994 and Pleasure Island, May 1997-March 1999.

• Sun International
• Director of Entertainment
• June 1995 to December 2005

• Sunsation! at Atlantis – Production and facilities manager for cast and crew of 52 members. Developed and implemented procedures for show operation, to include vendor acquisition and budget management . Produced name headliners, small industrials, themed parties and local charity events. Excelled in developing relationships with local labour unions and Bahamas Immigration and Customs. Daily interface with Atlantis’ staff and Showroom Banquets for seamless guest presentation and headliner accommodations.

Education

• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Theatre Management
• 1985 - 1990

• Degree was self-tailored and defended to University Board of Regents.

  Activities and Societies: President, Rhoads & Johnson Residence Hall Government, nominated for University Service Award, University Leadership Award & Emerging Student Leader Award

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