Kawania Wooten, CMP

Current

Principal Consultant at Howerton+Wooten Events, LLC (Sole Proprietorship)

Past

Contractor at Courtesy Associates
Director, Event Services at Choice Hotels International
Vice President, Education & Convention at American Chamber of Commerce Executives

Director, Industry Affairs at National Cable & Telecommunications Association
Senior Manager, Meeting Services at American Diabetes Association
Meetings Manager at National Association of College & University Attorneys (NACUA)
Meetings Coordinator/Registrar at Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR)

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Education

Harvard Business School
Hampton University

Recommended

3 people have recommended Kawania

Connections

302 connections

Industry

Events Services

Websites

Kawania Wooten, CMP’s Summary

Innovative senior-level association executive who excels at competitive strategic planning, program development, convention management, relationship building, and volunteer management. Expertise in developing programmatic initiatives that provide added value, reduce operational costs, streamline internal processes, and standardize association policies and procedures. Vibrant communicator called upon to lead speaking engagements at major annual conferences and leadership meetings.

Kawania’s twenty years of meeting and event planning experience for Washington DC corporations, non-profits, and foundations blend naturally with her years of experience as a skilled designer of wedding cakes and the ‘official’ party planner for friends and family. Her organization, creativity, and flair for the unique led Kawania to her passion, "wedding and special event consulting." In addition, her strong inter-personal skills, keen attention to the smallest details, and the ability to capture her client’s concepts, style and dreamscapes are the hallmark of Kawania’s successful business.

Kawania Wooten, CMP’s Specialties:

Competitive strategic planning, program development, convention management, event planning, wedding planning, meeting planning, relationship building, contract negotiation, alternative dispute resolution, and volunteer management.

Kawania Wooten, CMP’s Experience

Principal Consultant
Howerton+Wooten Events, LLC (Sole Proprietorship)

(Sole Proprietorship; 1-10 employees; Events Services industry)

June 2006 — Present (3 years 7 months)

Howerton + Wooten Events is a boutique event management firm renowned for planning ultra creative, “high touch” conferences, meetings, private events and weddings that are fresh and contemporary, yet classically charming.

Owner and principal consultant Kawania Wooten, CMP, brings a unique mix of experience and skills to her event planning company.

Kawania’s twenty years of meeting and event planning experience for Washington DC corporations, non-profits, and foundations blend naturally with her years of experience as a skilled designer of wedding cakes and the ‘official’ party planner for friends and family. Her organization, creativity, and flair for the unique led Kawania to her passion, "wedding and special event consulting." In addition, her strong inter-personal skills, keen attention to the smallest details, and the ability to capture her client’s concepts, style and dreamscapes are the hallmark of Kawania’s successful business.
Contractor

Courtesy Associates

(Privately Held; 501-1000 employees; Events Services industry)

2007 — 2008 (1 year )
Director, Event Services

Choice Hotels International

(Public Company; 501-1000 employees; CHH; Hospitality industry)

November 2006 — August 2007 (10 months)

Leveraged experiences to lead a team of five in the management of the meeting and exhibit hall operations for two high-level conferences of 150+ Choice Associates, and the annual convention of 5,000+ attendees. Managed $14.1M convention budget, marketing, registration, housing, exhibit hall operations, and measurement of constituent ROI. Directed logistics, tradeshow, housing, special events, and $80,000 budget for Choice Associate conferences. Managed the American Express corporate card program, and the business travel awards program. Used creativity, efficient processes, flexibility, and leadership to add value. Received accolades and acknowledgements from Division Presidents, event attendees, and Choice colleagues.
Vice President, Education & Convention

American Chamber of Commerce Executives

(Non-Profit; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

March 2006 — November 2006 (9 months)

Led ACCE’s team of professionals and support personnel in researching, developing, and producing a comprehensive professional development program for members. In addition, this position oversees the planning and execution of ACCE’s Chamber Meeting of Choice, the annual national convention.
Director, Industry Affairs

National Cable & Telecommunications Association

(Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Telecommunications industry)

November 2000 — February 2006 (5 years 4 months)

Recruited to program development role which has expanded to encompass strategic planning, attendee outreach, and VIP event planning. Collaborated with convention committee to research, develop, and produce more than 30 educational sessions for annual convention drawing 17,000+ attendees. Spearheaded team tasked with the development and editorial control of the convention website, speaker arrangements, and convention research. Managed convention interns and convention website staff. Worked with colleagues at various industry associations to coordinate and manage numerous convention-related events. Received numerous kudos from speakers, event attendees, staff, Board of Directors, and VIPs.
Senior Manager, Meeting Services

American Diabetes Association

(Non-Profit; 501-1000 employees; Health, Wellness and Fitness industry)

October 1997 — November 2000 (3 years 2 months)

Leveraged processes to standardize and manage meeting operations for 200+ association meetings and the annual scientific session with more than 8,000 attendees. Directed strategic program planning, convention registration, housing, attendee outreach, marketing, and measurement of constituent ROI. Managed $4.5M budget for annual meetings. Supervised meeting coordinators and an administrative assistant. Coordinated annual scientific sessions, staff performance planning conferences, and VIP meetings.
Meetings Manager

National Association of College & University Attorneys (NACUA)

(Non-Profit; 11-50 employees; Legal Services industry)

April 1995 — November 1997 (2 years 8 months)

Spearheaded meetings management for annual conference, which attracted more than 1,000 participants; as well as three annual continuing education workshops for up to 180 attorneys. Directed event planning, including registration, marketing, program development, and vendor management. Developed and managed $750K annual budget for meetings. Liaised with program and education committees. Supervised and trained meetings assistant.
Meetings Coordinator/Registrar

Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR)

(Non-Profit; 11-50 employees; Real Estate industry)

August 1990 — April 1995 (4 years 9 months)

Facilitated the organization, planning, and coordination of annual leadership conference, ongoing courses, workshops / seminars, and committee meetings. Supported convention director with two annual conferences, regional conferences, and various real estate trade shows for 250-650+ attendees. Streamlined convention registration processes and developed children’s programs that improved attendee experience.

Kawania Wooten, CMP’s Education

Harvard Business School

Certificate , Cable & Telecommunication Marketing , 2005 — 2005

This was simply an Executive Education Certificate Program offered by the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing.
Hampton University

Bachelor of Arts , Mass Media Arts , 1983 — 1988

I loved this school! I truly believe that it is the best HBCU in the country!

Activities and Societies:

Writer, "Hampton Script" Newspaper; Member, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Additional Information

Kawania Wooten, CMP’s Websites:

Kawania Wooten, CMP’s Interests:

Convention Management, Event & Meeting Planning, New Technologies, Wedding Planning, Cooking, Entertaining, Yoga

Kawania Wooten, CMP’s Groups:

American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Convention Industry Council (CIC), Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC), International Special Events Society (ISES), International Network of Wedding and Event Designers (iWed), Prince Georges County Wedding Professionals Meet-Up, Bowie Start-Up Meet-Up