Diane Balzer Herzstein, CMP

Current

• Logistics and Operations Professional/Travel Staff Professional at Independent Contractor (Self-employed)

Past

• Director, Operations Manager at Cappa & Graham, Inc.
• Meeting, Event and Transportation Professional at Independent Contract Work
• District Training Store Manager at Talbots, Inc.

• Divisional Sales Manager at The Bon
• Divisional Sales Manager at Meier & Frank

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2 more...

Education

• CMP Certification - Convention Industry Council
• Travel Director Certification - International Travel Management Institute

Recommended

17 people have recommended Diane

Connections

233 connections

Industry

Events Services

Diane Balzer Herzstein, CMP’s Summary

Diane brings 12 years of management and hands-on experience of unmistakable quality in the destination management, hospitality and meeting/incentive industry.

A positive ‘entrepreneurial spirit’ approach to the business enables her to work independently and with a team in a fast paced environment. Diane's “can do” leadership attitude is contagious with clients, team members and vendors/suppliers.

CMP certification received in 2006.

150 programs - up to $1.5M - range up to 27,000 attendees - supervise directly up to 75 employees/vendors/volunteers

Currently available for full project management or to supplement your team’s efforts:
-convention shuttle logistics
-entertainment
-food and beverage planning
-ground transportation - events and airport meet & greet
-hotel accommodations
-manifest management
-public speaking
-site selection
-staffing
-tours and activities
-vendor selection, contract negotiations and billing
-VIP and speaker coordination

Large or small, every client and every program receives a personalized touch and unparalleled attention to detail which guarantees that their program from inception to completion reflects the spirit, intent and return on investment that they are seeking.

Diane knows what it takes to start a program off with style and first rate service and end it successfully after many long hours with a smile!

Diane Balzer Herzstein, CMP’s Specialties:

-Ability to travel
-Ethical
-Familiar with an extensive list of CVBs and Chambers, DMCs, corporate contacts, hotels, suppliers and vendors in the Bay Area.
-Flexibility in a fast paced setting
-Impressive follow up and follow through skills
-Leverages relationships
-Maintains focus on client goals & objectives
-Manages concurrent programs and budgets
-Provides team collaboration and leadership
-Resourceful, self-starter
-Understands sense of urgency
-Values hard work

Diane Balzer Herzstein, CMP’s Experience

• Logistics and Operations Professional/Travel Staff Professional

  Independent Contractor (Self-employed)

  (Self-Employed; Management Consulting industry)

  August 2008 — Present (1 year 4 months)

  LET ME MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!!
  
  Support when you need it!
  
  I am currently available for full project management or to supplement your team’s efforts for events, ground transportation logistics, hospitality, meetings, registration, tours/excursions, and VIP and speaker coordination.

• Director, Operations Manager

  Cappa & Graham, Inc.

  (Privately Held; Events Services industry)

  January 2004 — July 2008 (4 years 7 months)

  DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, SILICON VALLEY OFFICE (SEPT 2007 - JULY 2008)
  - Identify new business opportunities and build relationship with new clients.
  - Establish and maintain relationships with core business strategic partners in the Silicon Valley.
  - Write creative, concise and accurate themed events and decor, entertainment, meeting support, transportation and excursion/tour proposals insuring that financial objectives are achieved.
  - Negotiate and prepare client and vendor contracts.
  - Expand and further develop “preferred” vendor status with South Bay Hotels.
  - Develop and create write ups for new South Bay event venues, tour destinations and suppliers for company tariff.
  
  DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION AND TOURS (JANUARY 2006 - AUGUST 2007) OPERATIONS MANAGER (JANUARY 2004 - 2006)
  - Plan, organize, setup logistics and implement events, VIP retreat/meeting and transportation support, multiple shuttle/transportation systems and excursions/tour programs …range in size from 10 to 27,000 guests-up to $1,500,000.00.
  - Flawless execution of assigned multiple programs: include all client communication, on-site management, accountability for company strategies and initiatives, vendor negotiation and paperwork, follow up billing with client and vendors.
  - Operate as liaison or main contact for client VIPs for all on-site needs.
  - Partner with sales team when needed on site inspections and venue research.
  - Produce program proposals/agreement/contracts.
  - Mentor, train and assist junior Account Managers with their programs.
  - Hire and train on-call staff (tour guides, dispatchers, volunteers).

• Meeting, Event and Transportation Professional

  Independent Contract Work

  (Hospitality industry)

  August 1998 — December 2003 (5 years 5 months)

  GLOBAL INCENTIVE PROGRAMS/MEETINGS - Up to 8,000 guests
  - Hospitality and registration
  - VIP speaker logistics
  - VIP support – accommodations, transportation, concierge services
  - Banquet and event orders management
  - Meeting on-site coordination – general sessions, breakout sessions, keynote speakers, A/V
  - Custom tour and excursions
  - Volunteer coordination
  - Transportation
  Examples - SunMicrosystems Annual Incentive (Singapore - 2 waves, Hawaii - 2 waves), Pampered Chef Incentive (Montreal), Cisco User (Orlando)
  
  BAY AREA HOSPITALITY - Up to 3,000 guests
  - Excursion and tour registration desk
  - Hotel accommodations
  - Restaurant reservations
  - Transportation
  - Airport arrivals/departures
  - VIP/special services
  
  BAY AREA TRANSPORTATION - Up to 27,000 guests
  - Multiple hotel convention shuttle systems - pre-planning and on-site management
  - Arrivals and Departures - manifest and meet & greet staff pre-planning and on-site management
  - VIP 'high touch" transportation services - manifest and meet & greet staff pre-planning and on-site management and coordination
  
  BAY AREA EVENTS - Up to 15,000 guests
  - Event setup and management on-site – Catering, Entertainment, VIPs, Transportation
  - Team Building

• District Training Store Manager

  Talbots, Inc.

  (Retail industry)

  September 1987 — November 1997 (10 years 3 months)

  - Instilling and following up with store staff that “we are the best” in customer service, overall professionalism, merchandise presentation and meeting profit/loss goals.
  - Developing and leading sales and operations staff to excel in all aspects of their job responsibilities.
  - Leading a happy, fun and “par excellence” professional working environment with outstanding organizational, communication and personal development skills.
  - Training new store managers on-site at new store location. Assist with hiring and training new staff, floor presentation, accounting and operations followup.
  - Supervised and mentored 30 employees and interns at home location; $5,000,000.00 volume with less than .5% shrinkage.

• Divisional Sales Manager

  The Bon

  (Retail industry)

  1981 — 1987 (6 years )

• Divisional Sales Manager

  Meier & Frank

  (Retail industry)

  1973 — 1981 (8 years )

Diane Balzer Herzstein, CMP’s Education

• CMP Certification - Convention Industry Council

  Certified 2006 , Certified Meeting Professional

• Travel Director Certification - International Travel Management Institute

  Certified 1998 , Travel Management

Additional Information

Diane Balzer Herzstein, CMP’s Interests:

Hiking Travel Snow shoeing Ballroom dancing 1/2 marathons GIANTS baseball Music Movies Volunteer work Continuing education Highlights: Hiking to Mt. Everest Base Camp Hiking the mountains of Patagonia Participating in my first dance competition as a novice Completing my first marathon Eloping to Yosemite!

Diane Balzer Herzstein, CMP’s Groups:

YWCA Rape Crisis Center volunteer and supporter
2009 Senior Games Lead volunteer registration
United Way volunteer chair at The Bon and Talbots

•    Women 2.0
•    Certified Meeting Professionals - CMP
•    Travel & Tourism Industry Professionals Worldwide
•    International Network of Travel Directors
•    Who's who in Events
•    The Green Meeting Industry Council
•    MPINCC
•    Professional Convention Management Association Northern California Chapter
•    International Medical Meeting Professionals Association

Diane Balzer Herzstein, CMP’s Honors:

-Instructor and panelist for CMP course work
-Proctor for CMP annual exam
-Guest instructor for Hospitality Departments at SFSU
-Instructor for executive training program on statistical analysis at The Bon
-Speaker on customer service awareness for SBA

Diane Balzer Herzstein, CMP’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

• career opportunities
• consulting offers
• new ventures
• expertise requests
• reference requests
• getting back in touch