Norma Naoufal

A dynamic, results-driven and client-oriented Events Manager with extensive experience in 

end-to-end event planning and communications.

• Over 15 years of event planning experience for corporate, private, and government clients. Strong background in event management, logistics, marketing, communications, public relations, team collaboration, reporting, performance management, innovation management, issues management, strategic leadership, and stakeholder management.
• Core competencies include: cross-functional collaboration, information sharing, strategic recommendations, process improvement, event procedures, event floor plans, event staff training/management, event budgeting, event reviews, and sponsorship management.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, design, and deliver successful in-person, virtual, and hybrid events with a diverse group of partners and strategic priorities.
• Proficient communication, liaising, and leadership abilities (both working independently and as part of teams). Proven ability to establish a positive rapport with clients, colleagues, superiors, and other professionals while working in fact-paced environments.
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) with in-depth experience planning events in Ottawa.
• Advanced user of Microsoft Office Suite, HubSpot, Canva, Eventbrite, Adobe Illustrator, Google Meet/Zoom, Raiser’s Edge, Webinar, and iCloud.

Security Clearances: Enhanced and Secret.

Experience

Manager, Events & Membership (Ottawa Chapter) | Entrepreneur’s Organization                   
April 2021- Present

• Direct the daily operations and long-term, growth-oriented planning of the Ottawa Chapter of a networking organization with 15,000+ members, facilitating member access to local, regional, and global benefits/events.
• Lead all event management activities for the chapter’s annual strategy summit and various chapter events, including learning events, social gatherings, networking events, summits, and conferences. Coordinate all logistics, resources, floorplans, event documents, vendor management, and registration management. 
• Facilitate all meetings, events, and information sessions (in-person, virtual, and hybrid models), and ensure all activities aligned with the broader guidelines of the organization while managing the annual budget.
• Prepare in-depth reports for senior leaders on established values, objectives, and outcomes. 

Manager, Meetings & Events | Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA)                                   
Sept. 2022- August 2023

Events included the AGM & Leadership Summit, PAC Days and AE Joint Institute Seminar.

• Managed and delivered a portfolio of national/regional events with a focus on enhancing client/employee relations, organizational growth, and brand development through the execution of creative, engaging event experiences. 
• Provided leadership in all aspects of event planning with a project management approach, including logistics, concept development, budgeting, vendor selection/relations, contract management/negotiation, and day-of coordination. 
• Oversaw an event planner and contract manager with direct accountability for performance, work allocation, and decision-making. Provided leadership, training and mentorship while ensuring business objectives were met. 
• Facilitated meetings, reporting and collaboration across departments to align event plans with strategic objectives in marketing, membership management, business development, and communications. Planned and delivered a communications strategy for each event to maximize awareness. 
• Managed event production, AV/media, contract management, sponsorship facilitation and venue selection.
• Established and grew a network of contacts in event rentals, venues and providers to maximize partnership value and identify opportunities for growth. 
• Maintained administrative oversight of the event portfolio and event calendar. Developed frameworks for feedback and improvement, including circulating event surveys and facilitation post-event meetings.

Event & Logistics Manager | Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS)                                      
January 2022- October 2022

Events included Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, Affiliates and Training Conferences

• Managed the planning, coordination, and delivery of the event/meeting/conference portfolios, including administrative, financial, and logistical oversight. Supervised a team of event coordinators/contractors.
• Facilitated meetings with senior leaders and event stakeholders to gather requirements, timelines, and approvals, working to build consensus and buy-in to key decisions. Drove all communications, partnership development and relationship-building across event stakeholders, attendees, and teams.
• Provided innovative solutions for managing guest registration, hybrid event models, and programming.

Event Planner/ Philanthropic Events Specialist | Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa              
Oct. 2019- May 2020

Events included Mayor’s Breakfast, Henry Burris All-Star Weekend, 50th Year Presentation Dinner & Gala, and more.

• Planned and delivered Philanthropic events with diverse groups of partners/community stakeholders, leading all requirements gathering, logistics planning, budgeting, vendor/personnel management, and client coordination.
• Developed event floor plans and planning documents (including risk assessments and project critical paths), and facilitated all contract management/reporting processes with vendors, venues, speakers, and clients. 
• Managed staff/event volunteers, including hiring/supervision. Intervening as required to maintain client integrity.

Event Planner | Freelance Consulting (Ottawa, ON)                                                   Aug. 2012- Sept. 2019

Events for Communications Tech. Council (ICTC), Dairy Farmers of Can. (DFC), and Public Policy Forum (PPF), and CaseWare RCM

• Planned, designed, promoted, and coordinated a high volume of large-scale (500+), corporate events for a portfolio of clients. Managed event marketing, CRM, stakeholder engagement, performance, and reporting.
• Led event planning and marketing for a software company’s complete event calendar (CaseWare RCM), which included tradeshows, conferences, road shows, webinars and internal events. 
• Drove all team management, budgeting, event design, and approval processes with clients.
• Prepared and developed marketing materials, communications, and public/ media relations for event promotion.

Events & Administrative Manager | Innovation Centre/ Invest Ottawa (Ottawa, ON)        
Jul. 2017- Dec. 2017 

• Planned and delivered large-scale, public events at Bayview Yards (1000+) and managed event communications, inquiries, community engagement, and strategic partnerships.
• Developed event policies/procedures for personnel and vendors to align activities with corporate objectives.
• Coordinated VIP tours for dignitaries, members of provincial and federal government, executives, and special guests.
• Prepared event/planning documentation and designs and facilitated information sharing across partners. 

Marketing & Events Specialist | Rogers Cable Inc. (Ottawa, ON)                            July 2000- Jan. 2011

Event & Marketing Manager | NCR Canada Inc. (Ottawa, ON)                                 June 1998- July 2000

Mount Royal University | Ottawa, ON                                                                                                                2023 Certificate, Event Management

Willis College | Ottawa, ON                                                                                                                                     1996  Bachelor’s Degree, Business & Marketing Administration

Algonquin College | Ottawa, ON                                                                                                                    1994 Diploma, Television Broadcasting

Certifications, Training, and Professional Development

• Certification- Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) (2023)