I am a dedicated, passionate, positive, fun and extremely organised individual. I have gained a lot of experience over the years managing people, budgets, live events, marketing and systems. I have worked at many different levels and have had contact with many different types of people from all walks of life and believe this has contributed to my success at work. I believe my desire to constantly learn and my ability to listen and pick up things quickly has provided me with opportunities in my career and my dedication and commitment has been recognised by Management and acted upon. I have a good understanding of many computer packages and am a highly organised person, making it possible for me to manage multiple projects in a pressurised environment to meet targets and deadlines.
Take a look at my LinkedIn Profile here: Donna Russell on LinkedIn
I have experience in many positions within corporate environments and was Head of International Marketing & Events at It Works! Marketing International where I built a Marketing & Events team at its new Dublin office to support International growth, launching in 15 International countries in parallel with a new Product Launch. I also have around 3 years experience working as the Digital Marketing & Events Manager for Europe at the European Headquarters of a multi-million pound global network marketing company offering a range of sleep systems and health care products which operated in 17 European countries. Previous to that I worked as the Events Manager for 5 years and as the PA for 6 years within the same company. I have also worked at an award winning local Safari Park as the Secretary and prior to that at a small family business where I started as an office junior and worked my way up to managing the office.
As an Events Manager I have worked on multiple projects and provided Event strategy, suggested and scheduled events, worked as a member of the Management Team, liaised with key Independent Consultants, managed budgets, procured, oversaw and managed relationships with Event Management Agencies, local Destination Management Companies and directly with suppliers of accommodation, travel and promotional items, written briefs and proposals, carried out on-site inspections, sourced venues, implemented marketing communications campaigns and integrated them with internal systems, managed on-site teams, worked with event content and speakers, created running orders and music stings, worked on complex logistics plans, written in-depth itineraries, worked with technical equipment and technicians to produce events, worked with speakers on content, worked with MC’s, created PowerPoint presentations, worked with Delegate Management Systems or created and maintained simple registration processes including on-site running.
As a Digital Marketing Manager I have reviewed digital systems and websites and suggested where maintenance, replacement or additions where required, identified, suggested and then implemented a Social Media plan to launch an online presence in brand and in tune with the companies audience, analysed and provided reports and adjusted direction as required, provided suggestions and implemented new online tools for customers and consultants, attended events and exhibitions to stay ahead with the latest advances in technology, created a 3 year strategy to replace or enhance systems within specified budgets, managed a team of co-ordinators and administrators.
As a Personal Assistant the role has been very varied, I have provided support for many Manager’s over the years with complex diary management and travel, extremely confidential information, writing manuals to obtain IIP, assisting with sourcing new blood lines for a breeding programme, assisting with the import of elephants, working with members of the public, providing IT and HR support, managing expenses, taking phone calls and responding to emails and letters on behalf of my Manager, sales assistance, remembering important dates and providing a first class, trusted support at all times.
I have been successful in all of these roles due to a very high level of organisational skills, attention to detail, excellent project management and the ability to remain calm whilst managing multiple deadlines and projects. I also have excellent communication skills which has enabled me to build and maintain relationships with suppliers from all backgrounds, levels and areas of expertise both internally and externally.
The most recent event projects that I have been involved in within my freelance work and for It Works! Marketing International in various capacities from full event management to venue sourcing, logistics planning, interpreter bookings & venue contracting with Production companies, Convention bureaus and directly with hotels and venues are listed below.
Event Projects Managed or Supported & Attended (100 to 3,400 attendees)
LitUpp Spark Launch Event in Copenhagen, Denmark (November 2017)
Truenordic Re-Launch Event in Gotehnburg, Sweden (March 2017)
b:hip Europe Celebration Conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia (July 2016)
IWI LimeLite Conference in Lyon, France (October 2015)*
IWI OTOM Tour in Copenhagen, London, Paris, Barcelona, Alicante*, Madrid* & Malaga* (June 2015)
IWI OTOM Tour in Lyon & Marseille, France, & Barcelona, Spain (June 2014)*
Hyväheimo Company Launch Event in Budapest, Hungary (November 2013)
*Did not attend for actual event
A full list of global event projects that I have worked on for Nikken Europe with Event Management Agencies, local DMC’s or directly with hotels and venues are listed below.
Event Projects Managed & Attended (50 to 5,000 attendees)
Gold Training event in Amsterdam, Netherlands (October 2013)*
Gold Training event in Munich, Germany (August 2013)
Filming for Convention Promotional video in Barcelona, Spain (August 2013)
Gold Training events in Paris, France & Bucharest, Romania (April 2013)
European Product Launches in Tampere, Budapest, Bucharest, Utrecht & Frankfurt (March 2013)
European Incentive to Paphos, Cyprus (January 2013)
Workshop & Product Launch in Munich, Germany (September 2012)
Gold Training event in Amsterdam, Netherlands (August 2012)
European Product Launches in Paris, Frankfurt, Utrecht, Vienna, Sargans & Ljubljana (March 2012)
European Leadership Convention incentive to Antalya, Turkey (November 2011)
European Product Launches in Budapest, Hungary & Cluj, Romania (March 2011)
Global Incentive to Cancun, Mexico (October 2010)
Presidents Club Summit in Darmstadt & Frankfurt, Germany (August 2010)
European Convention in Darmstadt, Germany (August 2010)
French Convention in Paris, France (May 2010)
Recruiting Event in Bucharest, Romania (February 2010)
Filming for Convention opening VT in Malmo, Sweden (February 2010)
Regional Convention in Budapest, Hungary (November 2009)
Official Country Opening event in Cluj, Romania (September 2009)
Presidents Club Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark (August 2009)
Regional Convention in Copenhagen, Denmark (August 2009)
Regional Convention in Paris, France (May 2009)
German Incentive to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (January 2009)
European Incentive to Tenerife, Canary Islands (January 2009)
PC Summit in Versailles, France (August 2008)
French Incentive in Edinburgh, Scotland (June 2008)
Spanish region incentive to attend Nikken Mexico Convention (May 2008)*
European Human’s Being More Training in Amsterdam, Netherlands (February 2008)
European Incentive in Tenerife, Canary Islands (January 2008)
Workshop & Training in Luton, UK (August 2007)
Regional Convention in Gothenburg, Sweden (August 2007)
Regional Convention in Stansted, UK (May 2007)
Regional Convention in Ludwigsburg, Germany (April 2007)
Regional Convention in Lyon, France (March 2007)
German Incentive in Dubai, UAE (January 2007)*
Nordic/Scandic Incentive in Tenerife, Canary Islands (January 2007)
*Did not attend for actual event
Assisted Events Controller with projects with attendance on-site when required;
European Convention in Amsterdam, Netherlands (May 2006)
European Incentive to Las Vegas, USA (November 2005)
European Presidents Club Summit in Amsterdam, Netherlands (September 2005)
European Incentive to the Nikken Japan World Convention (May 2005)
Regional Conventions in Brussels, Frankfurt, Gothenburg, Paris, Vienna & Zurich (2005)
Worked on projects either to support the Events/Marketing assistants, or in whole on behalf of the European Sales Manager with attendance on-site when required;
Regional Conventions in Paris, Helsinki, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Manchester & Madrid (2004)
Regional Conventions in Portugal, Helsinki, Zurich, Den Haag, Valencia, Leipzig, Vienna, Stockholm, Oslo, Paris & Birmingham (2003)
European Convention in London, UK (April 2002)
European Incentive Caribbean Cruise (Feb 2002)
World Convention in Duesseldorf, Germany (July 2001)
European Incentive to Sydney, Australia (October 2000)
European Convention in Disneyland Paris, France (May 2000)
Event projects organised and managed whilst in the Secretary Role (60 to 1,000 attendees);
Staff Recognition Event in Castle Ashby, UK (2000)
Presidents Club Summit in Milton Keynes, UK (2000)
Opening Event in Vienna, Austria (2000)
Opening Event in Oslo, Norway (2000)