Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Debbie Baker

Debbie Baker

Doncaster

Summary

Results-driven Event & Marketing Manager with 5+ years of experience in strategic event planning, field marketing, and community engagement. Proven expertise in orchestrating high-touch, high-visibility events, driving brand awareness, and delivering exceptional attendee experiences. Adept at working with cross-functional teams, managing budgets, and leading successful event marketing campaigns. Passionate about leveraging events to build communities and generate business impact.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience

Work History

Event manager

Agile Business Consortium
London
09.2023 - 10.2024
  • Designed and executed comprehensive event strategies, from content curation to post-event analysis, optimizing engagement and aligning with business objectives.
  • Developed and executed high-profile industry events, tradeshows, and meetups with a focus on community-building and brand impact
  • Partnered with cross-functional teams (data engineering and marketing) to align event strategies with business objectives
  • Led speaker engagement, securing high-profile industry experts for keynote talks and panel discussions
  • Managed event logistics, sponsorships, ticket sales, vendor negotiations, and on-site execution
  • Monitored event performance through post-event analytics and reporting to optimize future strategies
  • Partnered with global brands like Microsoft to design events that strengthened brand positioning in competitive markets, aligning event objectives with strategic business goals to drive meaningful thought leadership and stakeholder impact
  • Collaborated with senior leadership teams, providing strategic counsel to ensure events reflected corporate priorities and facilitated impactful leadership engagement
  • Pioneered innovative event formats, integrating virtual platforms and agile project management to enhance event delivery and audience engagement.
  • Planned and executed Agile24, a major global conference with 700 attendees, 80 speakers, and 20 sponsors, driving brand awareness and pipeline generation.
  • Adapted to diverse event environments globally, managing complex logistics and cultural nuances to deliver world-class events.
  • Developed and executed masterclasses, recruiting industry leaders and driving engagement with 700+ Slack community members.
  • Leveraged tools like Hubspot and Jasper AI to automate and scale event processes, enhancing efficiency from promotion to follow-ups.
  • Created and repurposed event materials into evergreen content to extend the event's lifespan and influence.

Event and Communities Manager

Ascent
Remote
01.2022 - 09.2023
  • Directed the Ascent Data Science Conference, securing 500 attendees and C-suite speakers globally, enhancing brand presence.
  • Led the end-to-end planning of 15+ webinars, roundtables, and conferences, increasing brand reach by 25%.
  • Spearheaded venue sourcing, sponsorship acquisition, vendor management, and hybrid event strategies, boosting global participation by 40%.
  • Managed the event lifecycle, from planning and logistics to post-event analysis, aligning with branding and lead-generation goals.
  • Led the organisation of a flagship conference in partnership with Microsoft, securing high-impact speakers and 150 additional attendees.
  • Built strategic alliances with top-tier tech organisations, contributing to a £1.2 million Q4 2022 sales pipeline.
  • Collaborated with internal stakeholders, sales teams, and external agencies to ensure seamless event execution.
  • Developed and implemented swag campaigns, brand activations, and social media promotions to enhance engagement and registrations.
  • Increased event-generated leads by 35% through strategic planning and marketing automation tools (HubSpot, Marketo).
  • Created targeted event content (webinars, presentations, roundtables) to drive lead conversion rates up by 25%.
  • Executed paid media campaigns (LinkedIn, Google Ads) to maximise event reach and post-event content promotion.
  • Ensured high-quality event leads were nurtured and followed up, converting 40% into sales opportunities.

Event Specialist

Homecare Association
London
09.2021 - 01.2022
  • Flawlessly executed end-to-end virtual events, ensuring seamless delivery and attendee satisfaction.
  • Catalysed membership growth through innovative strategies, driving community engagement and expansion.
  • Orchestrated over 30 high-profile donor events annually, crafting unforgettable experiences that strengthened donor loyalty.
  • Cultivated and nurtured key stakeholder relationships, significantly boosting donor engagement and retention.
  • Engineered flawless events, guaranteeing exceptional experiences for sponsors, speakers, and delegates.

Events Lead

Discussion Box
Bristol
10.2018 - 06.2021
  • SaaS Product Expertise:
  • Delivered tailored AI-driven event experiences for mid and top-tier tech clients, leveraging real-time data analytics to drive engagement and optimize user experience.
  • Consulted with tech companies to design events customized to their needs, demonstrating expertise in tailoring SaaS solutions to client requirements.
  • Utilized Discussion Box’s SaaS platform to showcase innovative capabilities, enhancing client satisfaction and retention rates.
  • Enabled clients to track real-time event performance through comprehensive analytics, leading to measurable improvements in event ROI.

Interim Event Manager

British Institute of Radiology Membership Body
, London
05.2018 - 10.2018
  • Hired temporary event staff based on budgets, event size and specialised skills required.
  • Determined client budget, vision and requirements through consultations.
  • Explained event packages, options and prices clearly to customers.
  • Obtained client feedback to determine improvements for future events.

Project Manager

NHS Digital
Leeds, North Yorkshire
06.2003 - 07.2017
  • Delivered a comprehensive resourcing project for 1,000+ staff, optimizing workforce planning and enhancing project delivery efficiency.


Education

Bachelor of Arts - Management

The University Of Central Lancashire
Preston

Skills

Accomplishments:

  • Agile 2024 Conference Success: Led the partnership between Agile Business Consortium and Agile Alliance, aligning marketing strategies, managing cross-functional teams, and delivering a successful leadership event that exceeded engagement targets
  • High-Profile Stakeholder Management: Successfully managed VIP experiences at the Manchester Commonwealth Games, ensuring seamless logistics for dignitaries like the Queen and David Beckham
  • Tech Sector Leadership Events: Directed bespoke events for Microsoft, enhancing executive relationships and securing strategic partnerships
  • Innovative Virtual Events: Pioneered virtual event strategies at Discussion Box, delivering SaaS-driven events for global tech leaders like IBM and Google, positioning them as thought leaders
  • Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Managed international teams across EMEA, driving event success while fostering inclusive environments that reflect diverse perspectives


Skills


End-to-End Event Management – Planning, logistics, execution, and post-event analysis
Strategic Partnership & Sponsorships – Building strong relationships with vendors and partners
Marketing & Audience Engagement – Leveraging social media, email, and content marketing
Budget & Financial Management – Cost control, ROI tracking, and contract negotiation
Team Leadership & Stakeholder Collaboration – Managing teams and aligning event goals
Technology & Tools – Cvent, Eventbrite, Zoom Events, HubSpot, Slack, Asana Track record of modernizing event portfolios, driving process improvements, and adopting new technologies





Timeline

Event manager

Agile Business Consortium
09.2023 - 10.2024

Event and Communities Manager

Ascent
01.2022 - 09.2023

Event Specialist

Homecare Association
09.2021 - 01.2022

Events Lead

Discussion Box
10.2018 - 06.2021

Interim Event Manager

British Institute of Radiology Membership Body
05.2018 - 10.2018

Project Manager

NHS Digital
06.2003 - 07.2017

Bachelor of Arts - Management

The University Of Central Lancashire
Debbie Baker