Nicole Brownlie
Bonnybridge,Falkirk
Summary
Senior events manager with nearly 20 years of experience in the industry. Proven ability to communicate effectively with clients and stakeholders, fostering collaboration and a client-focused approach. Strong leadership skills complemented by a commitment to teamwork and a diverse range of interpersonal interactions. Highly organised and adept at maintaining composure and efficiency in high-pressure environments.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Events Manager/Expo Manager
Spiro
05.2023 - Current
- I joined Spiro to head up exhibitor management for the division’s largest blue-chip client.
- Managed 2 direct reports, establishing procedures and process improvements to effectively meet requirements of 1000+ exhibitors.
- After a year I was promoted to senior event manager, heading up full event delivery for this £5 million corporate account.
- One of my primary responsibilities was line management of a team of 6 people and direct responsibility for the account’s 4 largest events, managing individual event budgets of up to £1 million.
- Delivered main corporate account events while coordinating a large tech conference in Barcelona, managing graphics and exhibitor workstreams for a sales kick-off meeting in Athens, supporting a sporting event in New York City, and overseeing a furniture workstream for a sporting event at Excel.
- Built trusting relationships with clients while developing internal relationships with in-house build and project managers and external suppliers.
Sales and Project Manager
Eastern Exhibition and Display
09.2022 - 05.2023
- Built and managed portfolio of clients, fostering relationships from lead generation to project completion and installation.
- Coordinated with clients to define project objectives and requirements, ensuring alignment with business goals.
- Developed comprehensive project plans, outlining scopes, timelines, and resources, facilitating smooth execution.
- Facilitated regular team meetings and stakeholder updates, fostering open communication and collaborative problem-solving.
- Developed the exhibition and events side of the business after being hired by a predominantly graphics led company.
Director of Exhibitions
The Rocket Group
07.2021 - 09.2022
- Joined Rocket, one of Scotland’s leading exhibition stand builders, during recovery from pandemic impact.
- Took sole responsibility for exhibition division, delivering projects in UK and abroad while developing sales strategy and growth plan for 2022 and beyond.
- Oversaw project life-cycle from quotation to debrief, fostering strong relationships with clients, designers, and production staff.
- Recognised as a top exhibition stand builder in Scotland
Event Planner – CyberScotland Week 2021
ScotlandIS
11.2020 - 03.2021
- Project Management of a week-long series of virtual events, hosted internally and by third parties.
- Facilitated stakeholder engagement while creating digital content and executing social media marketing strategies.
Senior Event Production Manager
GES EMEA
07.2019 - 10.2020
- After 3 years working as a member of the congress and live events team I was promoted to the role of Senior Manager, leading a diverse team of six other managers and overseeing the delivery of the division’s full calendar of events.
- To play a critical role in the team exceeding its commercial targets, inspiring a positive can-do approach and working environment.
- Managed virtual team across four UK locations to ensure effective collaboration.
- Identified and led initiatives to enhance team dynamics, account management, and communication processes.
- Communicate and implement company strategy to ensure consistency of process and approach across the team.
- Forecast and Actual financial reporting for the division.
- Ensured divisional compliance with GES group policies, maintaining standards and protocols across operations.
Event Production Manager
GES EMEA
10.2015 - 07.2019
- Managed and delivered GES services to event organisers, agencies, and associations through effective planning, on-site delivery, and post-event evaluation.
- Onsite management of projects to ensure all aspects of delivery are undertaken to time and budget.
- Develop and maintain a network of client relationships in order to maximise event revenue and operating income.
- Grew revenues for additional GES services at agreed margins while ensuring service excellence.
- Cultivated and maintained successful client relationships as the primary point of contact.
- Negotiated sales agreements with clients to secure new business opportunities., producing quotations and following them up with emails and telephone calls.
Marketing and Events Coordinator
Natural Power
04.2015 - 09.2015
- Working as part of a cohesive commercial department and marketing team to develop and implement the overall event strategy of the organisation, including significant focus on Natural Power's presence in France.
- Established trusting relationship with French team to manage launch event for Paris office and oversee company’s participation at Thetis MRE and EWTEC exhibitions in Nantes.
- Delivered group branding through promotional materials, coordinated conference and trade show attendance, and executed company’s social media strategy.
Events Executive
Pinsent Masons LLP
04.2014 - 04.2015
- Oversaw the planning and execution of up to twenty-five events simultaneously, covering conferences, discussion dinners, seminars, webinars, reputation-building events and networking activities.
- Sitting within the Business Development team, I was responsible for managing a large portfolio of UK-wide events within the Energy, Employment and Property sectors.
- Kept organisation in compliance with regulations and internal requirements.
Conference Producer
Holyrood Communications
01.2013 - 03.2014
- Liaised with, established, and met all requirements of speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and delegates before and during events to maintain the company’s reputation for producing slick, professional events.
- Coordinated onsite staff for more than sixty conferences, participating in at least one conference weekly.
- Managed small and large-scale events, conferences and seminars.
- Monitored event timelines closely, making adjustments to meet client expectations.
Assistant Event Manager
Melville Exhibition and Event Services
06.2010 - 01.2013
- Developed and maintained relationships with key stakeholders, including sponsors, vendors, and clients, to support event success.
- Managed exhibitor services to increase revenue and improve participant experiences.
- Cultivated and sustained strong relationships with key clients, managing agreements from quotation to delivery and de-brief.
Events Assistant
Melville Exhibition and Event Services
10.2007 - 05.2010
Education
IOSH Managing Safely -
12-2023
Team Leader/Supervisor Apprenticeship Level 3 -
08-2020
BA (Hons) - Communication and Mass Media
Glasgow Caledonian University
Glasgow07-2005
Skills
- Project management
- Budget management
- Event logistics
- Stakeholder management
- Client relationship management
- Vendor negotiation
- Financial acumen
- Strategic planning
- Team leadership
- Change management
- Problem solving
- Organisational skills
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Adaptability
- Communication skills
- Relationship building
- Resilience under pressure
Timeline
Senior Events Manager/Expo Manager
Spiro
05.2023 - Current
Sales and Project Manager
Eastern Exhibition and Display
09.2022 - 05.2023
Director of Exhibitions
The Rocket Group
07.2021 - 09.2022
Event Planner – CyberScotland Week 2021
ScotlandIS
11.2020 - 03.2021
Senior Event Production Manager
GES EMEA
07.2019 - 10.2020
Event Production Manager
GES EMEA
10.2015 - 07.2019
Marketing and Events Coordinator
Natural Power
04.2015 - 09.2015
Events Executive
Pinsent Masons LLP
04.2014 - 04.2015
Conference Producer
Holyrood Communications
01.2013 - 03.2014
Assistant Event Manager
Melville Exhibition and Event Services
06.2010 - 01.2013
Events Assistant
Melville Exhibition and Event Services
10.2007 - 05.2010
IOSH Managing Safely -
Team Leader/Supervisor Apprenticeship Level 3 -
BA (Hons) - Communication and Mass Media
Glasgow Caledonian University