Bridgette Welch

I am a Marketing and Events Manager at the Gainesville Sports Commission with a Master's in Sport Management, specialization in Athlete Development, and a certificate in Sport Event Management. With a background in sports, event planning, and communications, I bring expertise in event coordination, social media strategy, and creative problem-solving to deliver impactful events that engage communities and drive results.

Gainesville Sports Commission | Gainesville | Marketing & Event Manager11.24 - Present

Designed and executed targeted marketing campaigns for events like the GSC Golf Classic, NAIA Championship, and Jimmy Carnes Meet, utilizing social media platforms and tools like Buffer to increase engagement.

Created high-quality digital and print materials, including brochures, banners, and thank-you cards, ensuring consistent branding and sponsor visibility.

Managed event logistics, including volunteer coordination, sponsor fulfillment, and venue layout updates, to deliver seamless experiences.

Streamlined operations by implementing centralized scheduling systems, maintaining social media databases, and improving internal workflows.

Collaborated with sponsors, vendors, and national governing bodies, fostering strong relationships and securing future event opportunities.

Collaborated with departmental teams to plan and execute successful events while providing marketing and event planning expertise. Demonstrated exceptional communication, time management, and problem-solving skills to ensure smooth event operations. Increased the year-to-year average percent increase in RSVPs from 2022 to 2024 by approximately 61.49%.

CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE

Delivered outstanding customer service through greeting, understanding, solving, and thanking guests.

Managed guest concerns, complaints, and inquiries, demonstrating exceptional interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. 

Streamlined customer service and sales operations by establishing effective organizational systems and leveraging negotiating opportunities. Merged efforts with teams to ensure prompt customer service, improving customer satisfaction.

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Mentored adolescents on ways to improve their athletic abilities and personal growth. Instilled a positive culture, encouraged goal setting, and promoted an inclusive and diverse program.

Empowered and motivated athletes, ultimately enhancing team performance. Increased program size from 2022 to 2024 by approximately 96.43% (28 athletes to 55 athletes).

Developed sportsmanship and lacrosse IQ through engaging training exercises, advancing athlete performance. Coordinated logistics and collaborated with coaches to instill a positive and successful lacrosse network in Alachua County. 

• Orchestrated international and domestic lacrosse programs for at-risk youth, providing personal growth opportunities and service-learning experiences through play.

  Effectively organized logistics, collaborated with partners, and executed successful events.

ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCE

• Provided customized photography experiences by effectively communicating with clients, demonstrating software proficiency, and a detail-oriented mindset. Worked with clients to achieve their vision.

EDUCATION

Master of Science | Sport Management | Athlete Development Specialization | Sport Event Management Certificate

University of Florida | Fall 2022 | GPA 3.78

Bachelor of Science | Major in Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management | Minor in Business Administration