CHERAI M.

LEWIS, CTS
Chicago, IL 60605 (312) 341-0244 - home (312) 391-0244 - cell cmlewis.enteract@rcn.com CAREER SKILLS SUMMARY Leadership/Administration: Developed strategic plan for 1200+ member non-profit organization Administered day-to-day operations and sales goals of 3 member regional office Facilitated communication between multi-level internal and external stakeholders to produce collaborative programs, manage projects and increase revenues Directed staff through reorganizations and executive leadership changes Membership/Finance/Operations: Recruited new members and maintained member retention rates Developed member loyalty rewards pilot program Supervised employee and volunteer teams Negotiated contracts ranging from $50,000 - $1.5 million as a client and as a vendor Managed $300,000 annual budgets for regional office Created continuing education curriculum for association membership Sales & Marketing/Fundraising/Account Management: Worked with corporate sponsors to find unique ways to utilize social media and emerging technology to promote their brand at events Chaired fundraising event which exceeded profit goal by 53% Cultivated prospects, which produced long-term clients and multiple sales Client portfolio includes corporations, trade associations and non-profit foundations Consistently achieved and exceeded sales goals

NON-PROFIT AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Meeting Professional International Chicago Area Chapter, June 2005 July 2011 Vice-President Education/Vice-President Membership Revamped membership administrative process for more accurate data management Managed four committees and over 50 volunteers with 6 direct reports Planned 11 successful educational events within fiscal year, including award-nominated signature leadership & education conference Increased education program satisfaction scores by full percentage point in one year Board of Directors/Committee Chair Completed and secured grant funding from MPI Foundation for chapter programs Co-created, planned and produced first Womens Leadership Conference along with seven additional educational events within fiscal year Designed marketing brochures and on-site programs for all education events

Cherai M. Lewis, CTS Resume, Page Two Projection Presentation Technology, Chicago, Illinois, March 2005 June 2011 National Sales Manager Sold audiovisual and technology solutions to association and foundation clients Managed 10 client programs with combined annual revenues over $2 million Hotel Allegro Chicago, Chicago, IL, February 2004 February 2005 Senior Sales Manager Sold 483 room boutique hotel in Chicago Loop to Midwest corporate clients Closed over $750,000 in revenue and developed new markets for hotel by utilizing previous professional relationships New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau Manager, Midwest Sales Office, Chicago, February 2001- December 2003 Planned over 50 client appreciation events, resulting in repeat client bookings Achieved office sales goal in 2001, exceeded goal by 23% in 2002 and achieved 2003 goal in 10 months, contributing over $75 million to local tourism economy Senior Convention Sales Manager, New Orleans, LA, February 2000 February 2001 Achieved $5.25 million annual sales goal. Spearheaded development of corporate marketing plan, which increased market coverage by 10% and led to increased bookings for corporate sales team Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Miami, FL, October 1994 February 2000 Convention Sales Manager Sold Greater Miami & the Beaches as leading destination for incentive and corporate clients, contributing over $100 million in economic impact to hospitality community Advised and worked with numerous local volunteer groups to host national conventions Partnered with marketing department to ensure balanced multicultural representation in bureau marketing videos and publications EDUCATION University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. Bachelor of Arts Degree InfoComm, Fairfax, VA. Received Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) designation AWARDS Meeting Professional International (MPI) Awarded Chapter Leader of the Year, MPI Chicago Area Chapter (2009) Awarded Tomorrows Leader of the Year, MPI Chicago Area Chapter (2006) Awarded Supplier of the Year, MPI Ohio Valley Chapter (1994) PROFESSIONAL & VOLUNTEER AFFLILATIONS Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Midwest Region Site Selection Chair, Committee Member Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami and Central Ohio Big Sister & Team Fundraiser Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Committee Member National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners (NCBMP) Student Mentor, Committee Member Association Forum of Chicago