Kurt Whittington

Spearhead event operations and logistics, art direction and production design, maintain and improve event website, execute MailChimp email campaigns.

Sr. Manager, Event Operations – AIMExpo, Ride With Us Moto Intros - MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY COUNCIL - Irvine, CA

(2019-08 - 2025-09)

Spearhead event operations and logistics, art direction and production design, maintain and improve event website, execute MailChimp email campaigns.

• Orchestrated end-to-end management of a premier annual trade show, coordinating resources across 7 internal team members and multiple external partners to deliver a high-impact event featuring 400 exhibitors and attracting 5,000 industry professionals
• Optimized a $500,000 event operation budget, ensuring precise financial control and strategic resource allocation
• Spearheaded comprehensive art direction and executed detailed production design, developing a cohesive event visual identity from concept to final implementation, seamlessly transitioning between strategic creative vision and hands-on graphic design execution
• Coordinated and executed MailChimp email campaigns, improving database quality and open rates
• Directed website updates to improve SEO and end-user experience

Marketing Manager - HACKER INDUSTRIES, INC. - Newport Beach, CA

(2017-01 - 2019-08)

Facilitated promotional communications for company through press releases, email and social media. Graphic design for all materials, print and digital. Coordinate trade show logistics. Attend trade shows to represent company.

• Internalized all graphic design processes, becoming lead graphic designer, reducing production time and costs by 90%
• Managed logistics for shipping display booth to/from trade shows, and set-up and dismantle of display, ensuring we took advantage of lowest labor and shipping rates offered
• Developed multi-channel marketing strategy for major new product announcement to customers, media and industry professionals which drove up website traffic 88% over the second half of 2017
• Increased interaction with followers of firm social media accounts in 2017 by 125% over 2016
• Boosted average open-rate of email campaigns above construction industry standards of 35%
• Improved company clients' marketing reach and branding by designing and creating their collateral, website design and SEO consultation, tradeshow logistics support, to increase our own company sales

Marketing Manager - American International Motorcycle Expo - MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY COUNCIL - Irvine, CA

(2014-07 - 2016-12)

Develop and manage email campaigns, develop and maintain website, art direct print and digital ad pieces, developed and lead in-market grassroots marketing plan and exhibitor marketing partnerships, administrative management of custom motorcycle and vintage motorcycle competitions.

• Developed and executed email campaigns for five target audiences to drive booth sales, trade and consumer attendance.
• Content creation, customization and maintenance of AIMExpoUSA.com (Wordpress site).
• Lead art direction and messaging with agency designers for print and digital ad pieces that connected with our target audiences.
• Created promotional partnerships with exhibiting companies to AIMExpo, driving trade and consumer attendance.
• Established and managed strategic business relationships with outside vendors for social media, app development, online ticketing and print collateral.

Production & Marketing Manager - International Motorcycle Shows, Dealer Expo & Licensing International Expo - ADVANSTAR COMMUNICATIONS - Santa Monica, CA

(2007-03 - 2014-03)

Directed production for and managed personnel dedicated to International Motorcycle Shows.

• Successfully managed Dealer Expo, Licensing International Expo (LIE) and International Motorcycle Shows® (IMS) entertainment features cumulative $2M budget, tracked spending against budget.
• Led and developed a cross-functional team of 7 employees, enhancing their skills in various areas including stunt riding and event management
• Produced 2013 LIE Opening Night Party at The Beach at Mandalay Bay resort, including Flo Rida concert w/ video production, catering and beverage for 2,000 attendees, decoration, ticket sales mgmt. and onsite staff mgmt.
• Developed and managed strategic business relationships with outside vendors for successful construction of IMS displays.
• Effectively negotiated annual contracts for stunt performers with multiple teams of performers each year.
• Collaborated with Brand Director to develop and deliver entertainment features for IMS shows, driving ticket sales and supporting the exhibitor sales process.
• Managed all sponsorship deliverables for IMS, Dealer Expo and LIE.

Bachelor of Arts - English - University of Kansas