Carrie Horna
San Diego,CA
Summary
Capable Event Manger with proven track record in planning and executing successful events. Managed diverse event portfolios, ensuring seamless coordination and client satisfaction. Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills, effectively collaborating with teams to meet dynamic needs.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Event Planning Manager
Paradise Point Resort and Spa
07.2021 - Current
- Evaluated banquet menus alongside executive chef to verify correct dietary specifications and enhance guest satisfaction.
- Enhanced Delphi functionality by integrating updated menus and implementing required changes.
- Facilitated training and development programs for new team members and managers in the office.
- Enhanced customer service quality and flexibility to achieve a 9.9 engagement score for group guests and meeting planners in 2025.
- Designed and implemented Nespresso and Office Delighter programs for meeting planners to enhance event planning efficiency, incorporating SOP event orders and cross-departmental training.
- Fostered strong partnerships with clients to enhance collaboration and drive repeat business.
- Orchestrated planning and management of resort events, including corporate incentive conferences, at a 462-room resort situated on a 44-acre island with over 60,000 square feet of versatile indoor and outdoor event space.
Meetings and Special Events Manager
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
09.2017 - 07.2021
- Plan and manage resort events, including corporate incentive, conferences, weddings and social events in a 253 room, desert resort property with over 44,000 square feet combined indoor and outdoor event space.
- Generated $362.09 in revenue per occupied group room, contributing to overall financial performance in 2019.
- Achieved a forecast accuracy score of 5.6% for 2019, resulting in improved revenue management and planning for rooms.
- Drive group guest and meeting planner engagement scores through customer service, attention to detail and flexibility
- Cultivated robust working relationships with clients, vendors, and cross-functional departments.
- Managed logistics coordination to guarantee flawless execution and enhance guest satisfaction at high-profile events.
- Facilitated training sessions for junior staff on event management best practices, fostering a supportive and collaborative team environment.
Event Services | Event Management Voyager
Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
03.2016 - 09.2017
- Achieved management skills by cross training in various departments including Event Services, Banquets, Coffee Breaks and Banquet Captain
- Responsible for planning and executing more than 100 events ranging in size from 10 to 500+ attendees
- Coordinated with group housing, front desk, accounting, convention floor and banquets
- Worked with the culinary teams to create menu enhancements to offer VIP groups and create upsell opportunities
- Executed creative details on special projects
Section Leader | Crew Member | Trainer
Trader Joe’s
01.2007 - 03.2016
- Organized educational food and wine classes for all 80 crew members to increase upsell opportunities
- Implemented bi-monthly wine and cheese/food pairing event within the community averaging 40-60 people to increase customer community engagement, which increased sales and loyalty over the following months
- Sold the highest ratio of wine to food in all 5 Las Vegas stores, averaging $2.2 million per year
- Ordered, merchandised and maintained over 500 varieties of wines that increased stores overall store profit
Convention Service Management | Banquet- Internship
Caesars Palace of Las Vegas
09.2014 - 12.2014
- Learned from Convention Service Managers about successful convention execution a 300,000 sq. ft. meeting complex, featuring 57 individual breakout rooms
- Spent approximately 300 hours on over 30 events working with banquets, events and convention services
- Worked directly with client and staff on groups of up to 800 people servicing events, writing event orders and running the floor
Convention Service Management | Mentorship
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
01.2014 - 08.2014
- Gained exposure to conventions, meetings, events, conference concierge and front desk
- Observed the planning, detailing and execution of over 20 events
- Attended site visits, Pre-Planning meetings and Familiarization Trips
Education
Bachelor of Science - Hospitality Management
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV12-2015
Associate of Science - Hospitality, Event Management
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA05-2012
Associate of Arts - Communication Studies
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA05-2011
Skills
- Excellent Interpersonal Skills; Time Management; Ability to Multi-Task; Problem Solver; Strong Leader and Mentor
- Delphi; CI/TY; iPlan, Social Tables; Opera; Microsoft Office to Include Excel, Word, PowerPoint; Adobe Suite
Accomplishments
- Nominated for manager of the year 2021, Paradise Point
- Manager of the quarter 2019, Ritz Carlton
Certification
- Foundations of Leadership, Marriott International
- Sales Foundation Certificate, Marriott International
- Marriott Wedding Certification
- Certificate in Hotel Management, San Diego Mesa College
Timeline
Event Planning Manager
Paradise Point Resort and Spa
07.2021 - Current
Meetings and Special Events Manager
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
09.2017 - 07.2021
Event Services | Event Management Voyager
Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
03.2016 - 09.2017
Convention Service Management | Banquet- Internship
Caesars Palace of Las Vegas
09.2014 - 12.2014
Convention Service Management | Mentorship
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
01.2014 - 08.2014
Section Leader | Crew Member | Trainer
Trader Joe’s
01.2007 - 03.2016
Associate of Science - Hospitality, Event Management
San Diego Mesa College
Associate of Arts - Communication Studies
San Diego Mesa College
Bachelor of Science - Hospitality Management
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
AWARDS | ACHIEVEMENTS | VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Five Star Leader of The Quarter Award, Ritz Carlton, first quarter, 2019, Community Footprints Committee Member, 2018 – 2019, KIP project Elite Appreciation, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, 2018 – 2019, KIP project Event Satisfaction, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, 2019 – 2020, Task Force, The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis, 2018, Featured in Forbes Meeting Planner article, Children’s Miracle Network/Rady’s Children’s Hospital Fundraising Committee 2016, Committee Member for Annual Holiday Party Marriott Marquis San Diego 2016, Committee Member Host Appreciation Week Marriott Marquis San Diego 2016, Sole recipient from UNLV of the Banfi Italy Scholarship / Wine Scholastic program in May 2015, Volunteer experience at Planet Hollywood in events, Three Square Las Vegas, The San Diego Wine and Food Festival, Fast Forward Events and The Lupus Foundation of Southern California