Liya Jayasinghe, Events Manager

Liya Jayasinghe

Events Manager

Apex Business Solutions

Location
Qatar - Doha
Education
Bachelor's degree, Accounting, Events and Management
Experience
20 years, 3 Months

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Work Experience

Total years of experience :20 years, 3 Months

Events Manager at Apex Business Solutions
  • Qatar - Doha
  • My current job since February 2023

Responsibilities:
• Capabilities of handling the entire Event solution - Live Events, Exhibitions, Gala Dinners,
Family Days, B2b Meetings, Conferences, Road Shows, Corporate Gifts, Corporate Parties,
Product Launches, Branding, Carnivals / Kiddies Activities, Family Day, PR & Media, Event
Staffing, Corporate Gifts, Equipment Rental, Event Logistics, Artist Management, Architectural
Lighting
• Creating and organizing the event schedule for multiple events
• Developing a variety of event concepts
• Managing and maintaining event budgets
• Site selection and research
• Coordinating vendors and logistics
• Organizing physical and digital marketing
• Paying vendors and processing invoices
• Maintain relationships with vendors
• Organize security when necessary
• Coordinating with speakers and approving speaker notes
• Writing a post-event report to debrief what went right and what can be improved upon
• Calculate risks and rewards with big event decisions
• Develop relationships with potential clients to grow our business
• Setting goals and developing plans for business and revenue growth
• Researching, planning, and implementing new target market initiatives
• Researching prospective accounts in target markets
• Pursuing leads and moving them through the sales cycle
• Developing quotes and proposals for prospective clients
• Training business development staff
• Attending conferences, meetings, and industry events

Events and Operations Manager at Apex Business Solutions
  • Qatar - Doha
  • My current job since February 2023
Duty Manager Front Office at Accor Hotels (The Living Adventure - Global Sports Event)
  • Qatar - Doha
  • October 2022 to January 2023

Responsibilities:
• Familiarity with all Front Desk and guest booking functions
• Provides the Front Office Manager and Site Operation Manager with a summary of
activities and operations during the shift by preparing a daily written logbook
• Ensures guests' satisfaction by resolving and taking appropriate actions on all guests'
complaints
• Calls the Site Operation Manager and concerned Head of Departments without delay for
any fire, bomb threat, burglary, or death that has occurred on the premises.
• Calls the Front Office Manager, Site Operation Manager in case of a guest accident
• Maintains property's level of cleanliness and sanitation (hygiene) in accordance with
company standards by conducting inspections and taking appropriate action
• Provide friendly and courteous service to guests and respond promptly to all requests in our
scope of work
• Resolve guests' complaints & requests and liaises with the concerned departments
• Be familiar with the operational procedures
• Participate in regular meetings and briefings as scheduled
• Understand and abide by all safety rules, emergency procedures, and fire prevention
regulations
• Participate in any scheduled training for the related department
• Ensures procedures for the safety and security of guest belongings (e.g., lockers, left
luggage, etc.) are efficiently followed
• Report to duty punctually wearing the correct uniform.
• Maintain a high standard of personal appearance and hygiene
• Carry out other duties as assigned
• Responsible for Handover and decommissioning
• Responsible for the proper Key handling
• Responsible for proper room allocation

General Manager at Cataputt Lanka
  • Sri Lanka - Colombo 1
  • February 2016 to October 2022

Responsibilities:
• Wedding consultation and coordination
• Destination and themed Weddings and Events
• Local Poruwa / Church / Hindu / Muslim Weddings
• Cocktail Parties, Dinner Dances, Birthday Parties
• Organizing facilities for MICE Market
• Conducting conventions and trade shows
• Business development
• Concept building
• Private event shopper
• Creation of brand Loyalty
• Planning and directing public relation activities within an organization •Discussing sales
contract details with the banquet sales director and the head chef
• Planning the venue layout according to the number of guests and the type of event
• Determining the number of table waiters and servers required
• Supervising the placement of tables, chairs, cutlery, plates, glasses, table linens,
centrepieces, heating lamps, serving utensils, and carving stations
• Consulting with the Head Chef regarding the timing of meal courses to be served
• Overseeing the seating of guests, the serving of meals and beverages, and the clearing of
tables
• Managing the availability of liquor and soft drinks, when required
• Preparing work schedules and completing documentation in a timely manner
• Answering customers' questions and accommodating special requests

Promotions & Events Manager / Group Events / Special Event & Promotions at Cinnamon Grand Colombo
  • Sri Lanka - Colombo 2
  • November 2010 to January 2016

Responsibilities:
• Plan and prepare promotional material to increase sales of products and services, working
with customers, company officials, sales departments and advertising agencies
• Preparing budgets and submitting estimates for program costs as part of the campaign plan
development
• Coordinate activities of departments, such as sales, graphic arts, media, finance, and research
• Identifying and developing contacts for promotional campaigns and industry programs that
meet identified buyer targets such as dealers, distributors, or consumers
• Gather and organize information to plan advertising campaigns
• Organise meetings with department heads or staff to discuss topics such as contracts,
selection of advertising media, or product to be advertised
• Monitor and analyse sales promotion results to determine cost effectiveness of promotion
campaigns.
• Knowledge on trade journals and professional literature to stay informed on trends,
innovations, and changes that affect media planning
• Provide presentation and product demonstration support during the introduction of new
products and services to field staff and customers
• Direct, motivate, and monitor the mobilization of a campaign team to advance campaign
goals.
• Track program budgets and expenses and campaign response rates to evaluate each
campaign based on program objectives and industry norms
• Assemble and communicate with a strong, diverse coalition of organizations and or public
figures, securing their cooperation, support and action, to further campaign goals
• Represent company at trade association meetings to promote products
• Knowledge of managerial practices and principles
• Public Relations skills and handling complaints
• Skills in handling different events at different stages during the year
• Verbal and written communication skills
•Planning, developing and implementing PR strategies
• Researching, writing and distributing press releases to targeted media
• Collating and analysing media coverage
• Editing in-house magazines, case studies, speeches, articles and annual reports

• Preparing and monitoring the production of publicity brochures, handouts, direct mail leaflets
• promotional videos, photographs, films and multimedia programmes
• Devising and coordinating photo opportunities (shoots)
• Organising events including press conferences, exhibitions, open days and press tours
• Maintaining and updating information on the organisation's website
• Sourcing and managing speaking and sponsorship opportunities

Promotions and Events Manager at Crown Casino Hotels
  • Australia - Melbourne
  • October 2008 to September 2010

Responsibilities:
• Liaise with clients to find out their exact event requirements
• Produce detailed proposals for events (including timelines, venues, suppliers, legal
obligations, staffing and budgets)
•Research venues, suppliers and contractors, then negotiate prices and hire
• Manage and coordinate suppliers and all event logistics (for example, venue, catering, travel)
•Liaise with sales and marketing teams to publicize and promote the event
• Manage all pre-event planning, organizing guest speakers and delegate packs
• Coordinate suppliers, handle client queries and troubleshoot on the day of the event to
ensure that all runs smoothly and to budget
• Manage a team of staff, giving full briefings
• Organize facilities for car parking, traffic control, security, first aid, hospitality and the media
• Make sure that insurance, legal, health and safety obligations are followed
• Oversee the dismantling and removal of the event and clear the venue efficiently
• Produce post-event evaluation to inform future events
• Research opportunities for new clients and events.

Restaurant Manager at McDonald's Australia Limited
  • Australia - Melbourne
  • February 2004 to September 2008

Responsibilities:
• Provide customer service
• Handling cash
• Food hygiene / Food safety
• Stock Control
• Preparation of burgers
• Mc Café

Education

Bachelor's degree, Accounting, Events and Management
  • at Deakin University
  • March 2007
Bachelor's degree, Accounting, Management and Event Management
  • at Deakin University
  • March 2007

Specialties & Skills

Budgeting and Forecasting
Operations Management
Time Management
Event Management
Special Events
Microsoft Office
Meeting Planning
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Operations Management
Event Management
Relationship Building
Business Administration
Strong Leadership

Languages

English
Native Speaker

Hobbies

  • Cooking, Baking, Listening to music, Shopping