Mbali Makhathini
Exhibition Sales Manager
Johannesburg
Summary
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE & AREAS OF EXPERTISE AREAS OF EXPERTISE Events & Exhibtion Sales Large Scale Event Management Consumer Events & Trade Shows New Business Development Key Accounts Management Project Management Contract Management
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
2029
2029
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Business Development Manager: Energy, Solar & Renewables Sector
Africa Energy Indaba
02.2020
- Facilitated B2B trade event sales, engaging with C-suite decision makers and high-level executives.
- Generated leads and promoted sale of exhibition space.
- Screened and qualified new prospective exhibitors as per their relevance to the product offering.
- Assisted client with business matchmaking.
- Draw up SLAs [Service Level Agreements] as relevant to projects.
Team Leader (Environment & Infrastructure Maintenance)
City of Johannesburg
11.2021 - Current
General Manager (Hospitality)
Emoyeni Events & Conference Venue
09.2021 - 11.2021
- Manage daily operations of venue to ensure adequate and smooth event execution
- Conduct on-site inspections to ensure proper maintenance of facilities, equipment and overseeing general housekeeping, cleanliness, safety are kept at required standards
- Handling customer inquiries, taking event bookings and event scheduling
- Tracking expenses and managing operational budget
- Precure suitable vendors / service providers
- Liaising, negotiating with service providers for high value service and products (food, beverages, hygiene supplies, staff uniforms, décor equipment)
- Staff Management and supervision of venue staff to ensure professional dress code, appropriate physical appearance
- Staff hiring of both permanent and temporary candidates and provide training in line with job requirements (Bar tenders, catering, cleaning, grounds maintenance)
- Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, legal requirements and municipal by-laws
- Maintain flexibility in adapting the venue to cater for a wide range of events at short notice (corporate meeting & conferences, weddings, baby & bridal showers, product launches & activations, intimate family occasion and exclusive events)
Client Liaison Manager
Freshly Minced Media Company
03.2021 - 04.2021
- Worked with Team SA to conceptualise, design, construct and event manage the exhibition pavilion and several live events at the World Expo 2020 in Dubai.
- Researched and compiled standards for strict compliance with Guidelines and Controls for Participation in The World Expo.
Projects & Accounts Executive
GL Events South Africa
06.2017 - 12.2019
- Managed key accounts; sourcing leads and ensuring targeted client acquisition and retention.
- Provided turnkey solutions to meet client needs including trade and consumer exhibitions, promotions, product launches, live activations, and conferencing.
- Pursued new client prospects and reactivated dormant business.
- Collaborated with Design Department to interpret, conceptualise design briefs to convey clients’ marketing strategy and drive clients’ sales through displays and exhibitions during Consumer Expos & Trade Fairs.
- Responsible for the presentation of design concepts through graphics, layouts, mock-ups, technical illustrations & renders for client review, approval, and acceptance of quoted cost estimates.
- Ascertained appropriate inventory availability prior to and throughout project delivery.
- Delivery of bespoke exhibition stand designs, and installation of auxiliary services.
Debtors’ Account Administrator- Meetings Africa 2017
Synergy Business Events
11.2016 - 05.2017
- Managed Debtors’ Accounts for the Meetings Africa 2017 Trade Show, on behalf of SA Tourism.
- Assisted the Marketing team in positioning and promoting Meetings Africa Trade Show as the sought after event for business networking and increase awareness of Business Tourism for the Gauteng region.
- Managed the Debtors’ Book and updated monthly customer accounts.
- Further maintained updated accounts regarding exhibition sales, infrastructure, and services sales.
Business Development Manager
Terrapinn South Africa
07.2015 - 12.2015
- Sell on Exhibition space, with a focus on maximising B2B exposure.
- Screening of prospective exhibitors to ensure correct fit and appropriate placement within exhibition.
- Produced tiered sponsorship packages as part of the exhibition marketing strategy.
- Provide appropriate business-to business matchmaking between exhibitors and relevant industry players for maximum B2B exposure.
- Increased conference and exhibition attendance through conference delegate sales.
Sales Executive
Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery
12.2013 - 05.2015
- Marketed / sold raw exhibition floor space, and standard and custom-built exhibition stand packages.
- Generated a sales pipeline of qualified opportunities, supporting extensive new business development.
- Tracked weekly and monthly sales activities, ensuring alignment with projected pipelines.
- Met with clients to discuss project briefs, and prepared / presented relevant project proposals.
- Achieved all targets for sales and revenue growth.
Business Owner
Blaque Cherrie Gift Supplies
05.2009 - 12.2013
- Established own entrepreneurial venture in Gifting, identified new markets & new business opportunities.
- Responsible for Sales, operational and administrative functions.
- Manage financial records and ensured compliance with legal requirements, including CIPC and SARS.
Project Manager - Parks & Cemeteries Department
Johannesburg City Parks - Expanded Public Works Programmes
05.2007 - 04.2009
- Management of an Expanded Public Works Programme in the City of Johannesburg.
- Oversaw strategic planning, supervision and management of Greening projects, and continued maintenance of Parks / Public Open Spaces.
- Responsible for coordinating training courses in Horticultural Practices for internal staff and SMME sub-contractors.
Assistant Environmental Manager (Horticultural)
Rand Water
06.2005 - 04.2007
- Implemented and management of comprehensive Horticultural maintenance services for Internal Clients and Company Properties.
Environmental Compliance Officer
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
09.2003 - 05.2005
- Investigated incidents of environmental non-compliance, and drove the implementation of appropriate municipal by-laws relating to mitigating Water, Land and Air Pollution.
- Performed comprehensive compliance audits and compiled activity reports for submission to relevant departments and stakeholders, following up on corrective actions to ensure rectification / compliance.
Senior Horticulturist
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
Germiston , South Africa
05.2000 - 08.2003
- Planned and implemented the horticultural service delivery objectives of the department, including scheduling and oversight of daily operational activities.
Horticulturist
Transnet
12.1997 - 04.2000
- Contract management of outsourced Horticultural projects.
Education
BSc Honours - Environmental Management
University of South Africa
Certificate in Project Management - undefined
University of South Africa
01.2007 - 12.2007
Bachelor of Technology - Horticulture
Tshwane University of Technology
01.2006 - 12.2006
Introduction to Environmental Management - undefined
Potchefstroom University
01.2003 - 12.2003
National Diploma - Horticulture
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
01.1997 - 12.1997
Senior Certificate / Matric - undefined
Barnato Park High School
01.1993 - 12.1993
Skills
Events & Exhibition Sales
Professional Profile - Areas Of Expertise
- Events & Exhibition Sales
- Large Scale Event Management
- Consumer Events & Trade Shows
- New Business Development
- Key Accounts Management
- Project Management
- Contract Management
References
References & certificates presented upon request
Timeline
Team Leader (Environment & Infrastructure Maintenance)
City of Johannesburg
11.2021 - Current
General Manager (Hospitality)
Emoyeni Events & Conference Venue
09.2021 - 11.2021
Client Liaison Manager
Freshly Minced Media Company
03.2021 - 04.2021
Business Development Manager: Energy, Solar & Renewables Sector
Africa Energy Indaba
02.2020
Projects & Accounts Executive
GL Events South Africa
06.2017 - 12.2019
Debtors’ Account Administrator- Meetings Africa 2017
Synergy Business Events
11.2016 - 05.2017
Business Development Manager
Terrapinn South Africa
07.2015 - 12.2015
Sales Executive
Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery
12.2013 - 05.2015
Business Owner
Blaque Cherrie Gift Supplies
05.2009 - 12.2013
Project Manager - Parks & Cemeteries Department
Johannesburg City Parks - Expanded Public Works Programmes
05.2007 - 04.2009
Certificate in Project Management - undefined
University of South Africa
01.2007 - 12.2007
Bachelor of Technology - Horticulture
Tshwane University of Technology
01.2006 - 12.2006
Assistant Environmental Manager (Horticultural)
Rand Water
06.2005 - 04.2007
Environmental Compliance Officer
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
09.2003 - 05.2005
Introduction to Environmental Management - undefined
Potchefstroom University
01.2003 - 12.2003
Senior Horticulturist
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
05.2000 - 08.2003
Horticulturist
Transnet
12.1997 - 04.2000
National Diploma - Horticulture
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
01.1997 - 12.1997
Senior Certificate / Matric - undefined
Barnato Park High School
01.1993 - 12.1993
BSc Honours - Environmental Management
University of South Africa
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