US Conventions & Meetings Specialist

Abbott • Austin, TX

1d • $78,000 - $156,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. The US Conventions & Meetings Specialist role will strategically plan and execute healthcare conventions/tradeshows and meetings of various scale for Abbott. Collaborate with Product Marketing, Clinical Marketing, Creative and Marcom teams to ensure business objectives and priorities are met. Works closely with vendors to design exhibit booths, procure housing, acquire appropriate meetings space and manage attendee registration. Develop communications to the field, management, and attendees to ensure companywide awareness of the event. Manage the planning and supervision of all outside contractors to include installation and dismantle labor, trucking, arranging of services needed on-site, cooperation and communication with the association sponsoring the event. Serve as liaison with healthcare societies, hotels and event partners to ensure strategic alliances and corporate relationships are generated and sustained in a professional manner. Post event, provide proper and timely payment of invoices, charge backs, lead generation and complete event report.

Requirements

• Bachelors Degree Preferably in Communications, Journalism, Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations, English OR An equivalent combination of education and work experience
• Minimum 5 years professional experience in marketing communications, advertising or other similar field within the Medical Device Industry or another regulated industry.
• Proven track record of delivering measurable, successful multi-channel, sales- enabling communication campaigns.
• Demonstrated project management experience.
• Experience working in a highly matrixed and geographically diverse business environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of interdisciplinary teams that include product managers, designers, agencies, and marketing automation teams.
• Self-starter who takes initiative, is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, and able to independently manage multiple projects towards aggressive deadlines.
• Strong verbal and written communications with ability to effectively communicate at multiple levels in the organization.

Nice To Haves

• Strong knowledge and experience with SEO, SEM and Social Media best practices preferred.
• Advanced skills in PowerPoint and other design software preferred.
• 1-3 years of work experience in conventions and event planning; preferably in the healthcare industry but not mandatory.
• 1-3 years of experience preferred managing vendors/contractors.
• Energetic, positive can-do attitude
• Ability to maintain agility and to flex on / off event programs as required
• Team player with a mature and collaborative mindset
• Track record of delivering measurable and engaging exhibit booth experiences.
• Experience managing a budget encompassing multiple vendors, budget centers and payment terms.
• Experience working with a global brand.
• Comprehensive personal computer skills including demonstrated spreadsheet, word processing and database management capabilities.
• Experience working with lead management tools, including web and mobile apps.
• An entrepreneurial, take-charge, change-agent spirit is critical with a passion for working in the healthcare industry.
• Ability to work within a team and as an individual contributor in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Ability to leverage and/or engage others to accomplish projects.
• Strong organizational and follow-up skills, as well as attention to detail.
• Ability to travel approximately 30%.

Responsibilities

• Executes on convention and meeting objectives that ensures Global Marketing, Clinical Marketing, Global Communications and Sales are fully represented throughout entire convention and meetings.
• Selects exhibit and symposia sites and coordinates all necessary logistical details to provide appropriate corporate branding and product messaging.
• Source and recommend hotels and venues to host internal and external meetings to key stakeholder
• Leads core team planning meetings and ensures all action items and deadlines are completed on time.
• Coordinates all logistics in association with a convention including booth needs, housing blocks, badges, ancillary requirements, staff schedules, and show communications.
• Works closely with exhibit house and other show vendors for exhibit and meeting planning services.
• Provides appropriate post-show evaluations and reports to upper management to assess effectiveness of events.
• Assist with Abbott’s Portable Exhibit Program utilized by sales for regional/local shows.
• Has knowledge of all rules and regulations of association guidelines and serves as a corporate representative to professional exhibitor associations and committees.
• Ensures ADVAMED and Open Payments guidelines are met with all meetings, including spend tracking for customer events.
• Maintains budget tracker for all assigned shows/ meetings, monitoring convention costs in or under budget.
• Travel required, approx. 30%
• Complies with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, other regulatory requirements, Company policies, operating procedures, processes, and task assignments.
• Maintains positive and cooperative communications and collaboration with all levels of employees, customers, contractors, and vendors.
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities, on occasion, as assigned.

Benefits

• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
• An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level