Event Manager - (Expired Job)

Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is a well-established trade association representing the diverse interests of Michigan's restaurant and lodging industries. MRLA provides valuable resources, advocacy, education, and networking opportunities to its members. Its affiliated entities include the Michigan Hospitality Foundation (MHF), which focuses on education and workforce development within the hospitality sector, and a Political Action Committee (PAC) that advocates for policy and legislation favorable to the hospitality industry. MRLA prides itself on fostering a collaborative environment for its members while promoting Michigan's hospitality industry at large. With an experienced leadership team and dedicated staff, MRLA continues to innovate and support its members through challenging and changing times. The organization offers a hybrid working environment with a blend of office and remote work days, competitive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.

The Events Manager at MRLA plays a crucial role as the primary logistics coordinator for all MRLA-related events, including those for the Michigan Hospitality Foundation and the Political Action Committee, as well as MRLA Board Meetings. This position requires someone who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple events across several departments and entities effectively. The manager is responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing a wide range of events such as educational workshops, seminars, conferences, webinars, fundraising initiatives, and board meetings.

A significant part of this role involves collaboration with various department heads to develop event budgets and ensure event execution aligns with financial guidelines approved by the Board. The Events Manager also supports MRLA's development goals by fundraising for events and handling sponsorship coordination, emphasizing relationship-building skills and sales acumen. This position demands adept contract negotiation skills, including managing room blocks, food and beverage arrangements, audio/visual needs, and other logistical components essential for successful event production.

Additional responsibilities include oversight of the Women in Hospitality Leadership (WIHL) chapters throughout Michigan. This entails coordinating quarterly statewide meetings, assisting in chapter event creation and promotion, maintaining membership records, and supporting budget coordination. In addition to event leadership, the role requires administrative duties such as database management to maintain accurate and up-to-date customer and event information.

Candidates for this position must possess proficiency in CRM software like Salesforce, HubSpot, or Atlas, alongside a strong command of Microsoft Office Suite tools. Emphasizing communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills, the Events Manager depicts the professional face of MRLA during events, ensuring positive member and stakeholder experiences. The position includes physical demands such as standing and walking during event setup and execution, lifting equipment up to 50 pounds, and the flexibility to work non-traditional hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays when needed. The hybrid workspace promotes work-life balance, with three days in-office and two days remote each week.

MRLA values a collaborative team atmosphere supported by comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plans with matching funds, paid personal and sick time, vacation days, paid holidays, and other perks like paid parking and access to hotel employee travel rates. For professionals passionate about hospitality and event management, this position provides an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to Michigan's hospitality community while enhancing their career in a dynamic nonprofit environment.