Hello, and thank you for taking the time to browse my website. This site is designed to give you a thorough understanding of my background and experience. If you have any questions or comments, please let me know.
Upon completing an 11-month traineeship with the Atlanta Braves, I joined the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to raise awareness and research funds through special events. My dual degree in Marketing Management and Recreation & Leisure Studies from the Honors College at Southwest Missouri State University, has given me a diverse foundation of knowledge and experience that I rely on daily.
Though my background is event-planning specific, I believe event planning encompasses transferrable traits that can cross over into any industry. In 2004, I produced the first annual Dominique Wilkins' Drive for a Cure to benefit the CF Foundation. This elite fantasy basketball tournament invited corporate leaders to live their NBA dream playing on the hardwood of Philips Arena while being coached by big-name basketball celebrities. Since this event was brand new to the CFF portfolio, I was responsible for each and every aspect: corporate sponsorship, team and individual recruitment, celebrity involvement, venue logistics, publicity, financials, volunteer staffing, etc. Raising over $35k in its first year ($10k more than originally projected), this event was a HUGE success! The subsequent year proved to be another success, resulting in a higher level of competition on the court.
In 2005, I challenged myself to take the 21st Annual 65 Roses Ball to a new level, despite the hurdles in place. In 2004, the black tie gala raised $85,000 for cystic fibrosis. In 2005, we exceeded budget projections by raising $135,000! It took strong commitment from volunteers and relentless dedication on my part to make this happen.
For 2006, I am facing another exciting challenge: implementing the first "OTHER Cocktail Party." To coincide with the annual Georgia vs. Florida football game in Jacksonville, this tailgate party will provide alumni and fans who can't make the game in Jacksonville an opportunity to root on the Dawgs from Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA.
While with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, I have been responsible for implementing multiple new concepts and "inventing the wheel." These events have been successful partly due to the skills I developed while working with both the Braves and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
With the Braves and the HOF, I had the opportunity to work with athletes, corporate sponsors, and management staff of various sports organizations. Event planning & implementation, corporate hospitality, facility management, sponsorship sales, volunteer coordination, intern supervision, and community relations continue to be just some of the aspects I am involved with daily. As the events chair of our campus programming board, I was responsible for all aspects of event implementation--idea conception, contract negotiations, volunteer recruitment, promotion, and management. This position led me to chair the first ever Student Homecoming Committee for SMSU. Previously, the entire docket of Homecoming activities had been planned by faculty and staff; this opportunity allowed me to set a strong precedent and prove the abilities of a student-led task force.
With over 4 years combined experience in sports and event planning, I now aspire to return to the corporate sector and remain working in the dynamic realm of sports or event marketing/management fields. Non-profit can be extremely rewarding and terribly frustrating, often at once. During my brief time with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, I have climbed the ranks and find myself at the top of the internal ladder with limited resources to meet increasing challenges. Through these challenges I have realized that my talents align with the marketing and logistical initiatives in the corporate world versus the motivation and fundraising initiatives of the non-profit industry.
My work experiences and internships have given me a stable foundation working with corporate sponsors, implementing marketing and PR campaigns, managing fiscal responsibilities, and overseeing staffs while meeting project objectives--all extremely versatile and transferrable skills. I invite you to browse this website to explore the details of some of my numerous field experiences.
For more details on my work experiences, please follow the Work and Volunteer Experiences links at the top of this page. I appreciate your time and look forward to talking with you concerning any opportunities. Feel free to contact me for any reason. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Micki C. Odom