Melissa Rocha

Head of Travel and Events

Kraken Digital Asset Exchange

Jun 2022 - Current (4 years 5 months)

-Build and lead global business travel program
-Supervise, train and mentor staff
-Oversee travel budgets and related policies, benchmark internal and external costs against industry and competitive standards
-Manage travel partners and suppliers, assess supplier performance
-Oversee strategic projects and events across multiple stakeholders and teams to ensure flawless execution, venue sourcing, vendor sourcing, budgeting, catering, and logistics

Manager, Corporate Events

AnheuserBusch

Nov 2016 - Jun 2022 (5 years 8 months)

• Collaborating with company stakeholders/senior leadership to identify needs for meetings, incentives, events, and conventions
• Supervising the negotiation, selection, contracting, and management of global agencies utilized for onsite operations
• Management of hotel sourcing, negotiation, contracting and relationship with brands
• Onsite program lead for cross-functional events, overseeing the management and cohesiveness of my team
• Ownership of the corporate events teams’ financials and program budgeting

Proposal Development Manager

Maritz Travel A Maritz Global Events Company

Apr 2015 - Nov 2016 (1 year 8 months)

• Developed accurate, aggressive budgets while documenting all negotiated prices
• Recommended appropriate locations utilizing extensive knowledge of domestic and international destinations
• Developed and coordinated ME&I proposals and requests for proposals at all levels by providing travel expertise, pre-sales planning, pricing, and packaging comprehensive proposals
• Created presentation materials and formatted proposals for the client-facing account team
• Regularly interacted with internal departments including sales, creative communications, client technology solutions, industry relations, sourcing, project accounting and operations

Career transition

Career Break

Jul 2013 - Nov 2013 (5 months)

I was offered a role as the Manager of Groups and Conventions with a five diamond resort in Cancun, Mexico. After accepting the role, my international work visa process was delayed, prolonging my start date by months. Upon this news, I chose to decline the offer and return to Maritz Travel.

Meeting Event Manager

Maritz Travel A Maritz Global Events Company

Jan 2013 - Mar 2015 (2 years 3 months)

• Led the management of external clientele related project timelines and established work-flow schedules, both domestically and internationally
• Coordinated hotel, destination management companies, air travel, onsite staff and third-party vendor contracts and logistics
• Maintained overall project financials, including developing initial budget, negotiating savings, tracking, and reporting
• Provided expertise with regards to destination, hotel, and Maritz services, while working in conjunction with Proposal Development on new prospecting business
• Involved in regular interaction with internal departments including sales, creative communications, client technology solutions, industry relations, sourcing, project accoun

Travel Director

Maritz Travel A Maritz Global Events Company

Apr 2011 - Jul 2013 (2 years 4 months)

• Management of onsite logistics, event budgets and support to clients, account teams and guests
• Conducted onsite staff meetings, hotel briefings, managed onsite TD scheduling and coaching
• Ensured emergency preparedness and response plans were in place and implemented procedures as needed
• Oversaw transportation, registration, hotel rooming, hospitality desk needs, food and beverage, activities, business meetings, technology, and executive/VIP handling
• Main liaison between account team, client, and suppliers for onsite event logistics

Media Relations Specialist

BlickStaff Communications

May 2009 - Mar 2011 (1 year 11 months)

Pitched and secured local, regional and national media coverage for clients including Energizer, Save-A-Lot, Build-A-Bear Workshop and The Humane Society of Missouri
Experienced with traditional and social media
Assisted account manager with preparation of media coverage analysis reports and presentations
Wrote press releases, fact sheets, pitch emails and media advisories
Explored and identified new media opportunities
Researched effective trade shows for client exhibition (examples include The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and The Holiday Gift Exposition in New York City) and coordinated the necessary logistics. Such details included building an early rapport with press expected to attend, researching

Team Fredbird

St Louis Cardinals

Apr 2009 - Oct 2009 (7 months)

Cheerleaders for The St. Louis Cardinals (MLB)
Conducted live, on-air interviews with fans and former professional baseball players
Assisted with All-Star Games marketing promotions
Aided in the coordination of Busch Stadium and community events such as giveaways and promotions

Intern

Visionworks Marketing Communications

Sep 2008 - Dec 2008 (4 months)

Planned and executed events for the Columbia, Missouri Chamber of Commerce
Handled the McDonald's account which included arranging donations to local organizations who submitted requests, assisting with character appearances and coordinating a McDonald's Teacher Appreciation Night
Designed magazine advertisements using Indesign and Photoshop

Intern

BlickStaff Communications

May 2008 - Aug 2008 (4 months)

Wrote press releases, fact sheets and media advisories for Energizer and Build-A-Bear Workshop
Pitched and secured local and regional media coverage for clients including: Energizer, Build-A-Bear Workshop, The Magic House, RIDEMAKERZ, and The Humane Society of Missouri
Conducted industry and client research, ranging from media coverage analysis to business structure and goals

M

Intern

Musen and Steinbach Marketing Communications

May 2007 - Aug 2007 (4 months)

Organized media events for dignitaries of St. Louis
Pitched and secured media coverage for Famous Brand Shoe Company, Imo's Pizza, Fireworks City and Flemings Prime Steakhouse
Created brochures and designed logos for Insurance Consultants Incorporated and The Football Hall of Fame Committee of St. Louis

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Melissa Rocha

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