Prairie View A&M University

Certificate in Meetings Management (CMM)

Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA)

Tourism Ambassador Institute & Tourism Alliance of North Texas

Convention Industry Council (CIC)

Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)

Manager, Business Development Specialists at HD Vest

Business Development Specialist (BDS) Manager responsible for managing the BDS team and the coordination of the application, file processing and licensing onboarding process through the Business Development/Recruiting Department.  Also, responsible for maintaining departmental reporting procedures and working with Recruiters to ensure efficient and effective transition of clients.  Works with the Compliance and Licensing Departments in the onboarding process of HD Vest Advisors and the assigning of Wealth Management Specialists to work with Advisors in their new roles.  Manages the partnership with Kaplan Financial which provides the licensing study materials for applicants and assist with the ordering, assigning and extensions of study materials and the maintaining of reporting of Kaplan orders and procedures.  Other duties as assigned including managing of the CyberSource invoicing system, the DocuSign electronic signing system, the Conchie Assessment Survey program and the updating of files in the the Sugar CRM database system.

Also led the company employee engagement program responsible for developing, coordinating and facilitating activities and events for company employees and contractors.

HD Vest Financial Services

Manager, Business Development Specialists

Business Development Administrator responsible for the coordination of the application and licensing process through the Business Development/Recruiting Department.  Also, responsible for maintaining departmental reporting procedures and working with Recruiters to ensure efficient and effective transition of clients.  In addition, works with the Marketing Department in coordination of business development marketing efforts and maintaining tracking and reporting structures.

Business Development Administrator / Marketing Coordinator 2

Contracted Planner for the HD Vest Financial Services Meeting & Events Department primarily working on website development and maintenance, pre and on-site registration and post-event reporting for the CONNECT2014 annual conference. Current Business Development Administrator for Recruiting Department working with client licensing and reporting procedures.

Contracted Meeting Planner & Business Development Administrator

Responsible for the planning, budgeting and execution of quality meetings, events and incentives.  Coordinate site selection and negotiate contracts with various hotels, vendors and clients.  Oversee vendor selection, food and beverage management and audio visual.  Maintain management of travel and transportation logistics.  Create, maintain and manage detailed budgets.  Coordinate post event review with clients and resolving clients issues as needed.  Manage and maintain vendor and client relationships.

etc ... group, Inc.

Accounts Manager of Meetings, Events & Incentives

Served as Keynote Speaker for the May 2012 monthly meeting of the Association of Wedding Professionals on May 8, 2012 at the Hilton Campbell Centre Hotel.  Keynote Topic:  "Making The Most of Your Association Membership"

Association of Wedding Professionals

Keynote Speaker - May 2012 Monthly Meeting

15+ years of targeted experience in the meetings and events industry with significant expertise in the areas of sales, marketing, meeting/event planning, project development, public/media relations, communications, event promotion, fundraising, budgeting, contract negotiations and graphic design. I bring years of experience as well as the benefit of the countless number of industry, media and community contacts and relationships that I have cultivated throughout my career with the oldest and largest ethnic chamber of commerce in the nation.  

Highly skilled in the development of marketing strategies and the production of marketing and promotional materials.  Increased chamber visibility by 30% by instituting a more aggressive marketing strategy utilizing social media, increased distribution avenue and the development of more professional, eye-catching marketing materials. 

Extensive presentation, speaking and facilitation skills. Highly successful in the areas of sponsor driven events, corporate fundraising and budgetary reconciliation. 

Proficient in leading computer software applications including: Microsoft Word, Access, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher, PageMaker, Adobe Acrobat and PhotoShop. 

Spearheaded the start of the Convention & Tourism Department for the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce in 1993 to market Dallas as a major convention and tourism city for national, regional and state associations through the development of clientele relationships, sales techniques and power presentations. Responsible for the development, coordination and implementation of several annual projects.  Since the upstart, the department has grown substantially each year in the development of successful projects, proven tangible results, nationwide recognition and record profits, bringing in over $75,000 in revenue each year.  In short, I have extensive knowledge of what is required to effectively run a department, coordinate events, manage people and produce results!

Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce

Director of Conventions, Tourism & Special Events

Served two (2) terms on the International Board of Directors for Meeting Professionals International (MPI).  The world's largest meeting industry association with chapters all over the world.

Meeting Professionals International

MPI International Board Member

Provide advanced instruction in the areas of meeting management and tourism sales with a focus on travel industry software applications.

Richland College-Travel, Exposition and Meeting Management Division

Adjunct Professor

Responsible for the marketing and promotion of the City of Dallas as a major meeting and leisure destination for minority conventions and tourists, with a focus on increasing the economic and business opportunities created by conventions for chamber members and the local community.  

Organize several of the chamber’s annual convention and tourism activities, including awards luncheons, hospitality roundtables, FAM Tours and networking receptions and worked on the development of the annual African-American Visitors Guide for Dallas.

Responsible for the planning and implementation of the Chamber's annual events and projects including: Awards Banquet, Quest for Success Luncheon, Scholarship Luncheon, Golf Tournament, Holiday Gala, Educational & Training Workshops & Seminars and the DBCC Update Newsletter. Responsible for the budgeting, fundraising and maintenance of accurate reporting systems and program procedures. 

Assisted in coordinating events and conferences for the National Association of African American Chambers of Commerce and the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce.
 
Active in the meetings industry for over 15 years and has served in leadership positions in several industry organizations.  

Adjunct Professor at Richland College teaching meeting management courses and serves on the college's Travel, Exposition and Meeting Management Advisory Board.  

Also worked on the development of a Hospitality Industry curriculum at Paul Quinn College (Dallas’ only historically Black college).

Director, Conventions & Tourism

Responsible for the formulation and organization of the Chamber's annual events and projects including: Awards Banquet, Quest for Success Awards Luncheon, Golf Tournament, Membership Drive, Educational & Training Workshops & Seminars, Membership Directory and the DBCC Update Newsletter.  Also accountable for the maintenance of accurate reporting systems and program procedures.

Asst. Manager, Special Projects

Provided legal assistance for senior partners and associate attorneys as well as managerial staff in the areas of client interfacing, general report, brief preparation, meeting scheduling and coordination and case research.

Law Of Robinson, West & Gooden, P.C.

Paralegal

Accorded independent responsibilities for the leasing of apartment units to potential clients and interfacing with existing tenants.  Tasks included sales, contract preparation, background research and providing administrative support when needed.

Dvorah Evans, CMP, CMM, CTA