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Courtney Rayburn
MARKETING AND EVENT PROFESSIONAL
Phone:
(949) 973-8033
Email:
Currently seeking a new opportunity in Event Management, Non-profit development, or Marketing. The "unicorn" would be a position that brings all three passions together.
About Me
I began my career in the amusement industry in 1999 at Six Flags Astroworld & Waterworld in Houston, Texas. Thinking I would just be there for a summer job, I never expected that I would make a career of it. After 17+ years, I was still in love with the idea of selling fun and creating unforgettable events. In 2017, I relocated to the Dallas/Fort Worth area and the following year, I became the Special Events & Marketing Director and Race Director for the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot; the largest Thanksgiving Day event of its kind with over 20,000 participants annually. Learning the history of and planning The Trot renewed my passion for all the ups and downs of event management. I currently reside in Balch Springs, TX with Braveheart, the cat and Spot, Star, and Girl, the dogs.
EXPERIENCE
Special Events and Marketing Director, T. Boone Pickens YMCA
March 2018 - December 2021
Marketing Coordinator, Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot
7 months
YMCA OF METROPOLITAN DALLAS
The YMCA gave me the opportunity to gain experience working for a nonprofit organization while utilizing my skills in marketing, event planning, and project management. My primary responsibility was to produce the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot, a Thanksgiving Day run/walk with over 20,000 participants annually. I was privileged to work with vendors, the City of Dallas, and other YMCA staff to put on a world-class fundraising event. I also developed event sponsor relationships, provided customer service to participants, managed the budget, and supported the T. Boone Pickens YMCA branch with membership marketing, donor acquisition and stewardship, and fundraising.
Marketing Communications Manager
1.5 years
APEX PARKS GROUP (closed in 2020)
As a newly formed company, Apex Parks Group needed assistance in setting the marketing direction for multiple park brands. Working with the Director of Sales & Marketing and the agency of record to determine an appropriate mix of paid media during key promotional periods, we successfully increased market penetration, brand awareness, and revenues.
Digital Media Manager
2 years
Social Media Manager
3 years
Sales and Marketing Manager, Mountasia
1 year
Sales Manager, Boomers
3 months
Sales Coordinator, Boomers
3 years
PALACE ENTERTAINMENT
During my first 5 years with Palace Entertainment, I held sales and marketing positions at three FEC locations. In 2010, based on my use of social media to increase brand awareness and revenues at Mountasia, I was given the opportunity to lead Palace Entertainment’s adoption of social marketing for all 41 park locations. My initial focus was to develop a content and growth strategy for Facebook and Twitter. In April 2013, I was promoted and charged with overseeing all online instances that represented Palace's 23 brands. This included leading a website redevelopment project, securing all review site and location listings, and developing online properties to meet the growing demand for mobile friendly websites and purchase processes
Education Marketing Representative
2 years
Group Sales and Event Coordinator
6 months
Sales Support Staff
2 years
SIX FLAGS ASTROWORLD (closed in 2005)
My passion for selling fun and creating memorable events began at AstroWorld in 1999. I started that summer as a seasonal sales assistant and came back as a full-time administrative assistant the following season. I was the Education Marketing Representative for two years, selling group events and consignment program tickets to schools, universities, and other youth programs throughout the state of Texas. I exceeded personal sales goals by 11% and 15% respectively in those two years.
HIGHLIGHTS
2019
ACTIVE NETWORK
November Race Director of the Month
Click here to read blog post
2019
RECOGNIZED AS TOP FUNDRAISER
T. Boone Pickens YMCA Annual Campaign
2016
WORLD WATERPARK ASSOCIATION SHOW
MODERATOR
Marketing Roundtable
2015
WORLD WATERPARK ASSOCIATION SHOW
CO-PRESENTER
Advanced Social Media: Taking Facebook and Twitter Up a Notch
2013
THEME PARK FOOD & BEVERAGE SYMPOSIUM
PRESENTER
Deep-Fried Marketing: Using Social Media as your Secret Ingredient
2012
DNA ASSOCIATION - US Conference 2012
MODERATOR
Maximizing Social Media in Leisure Facilities
PROJECT SAMPLES
Creative videos, giveaways, contests, and events
Project Management
Marketing Strategy
Digital Advertising
Online Analytics
Email Marketing
Microsoft Office Suite
Budget Management
Content Management Systems
Customer and Donor Relations
Adobe Products
Public Speaking, Staff Development, Team Building, and Fundraising
ADVANCED SKILLS
RECOMMENDATIONS
Astroworld was my first experience working in a theme park. Courtney taught me a lot about event planning and organization. She was organized, prepared well in advance and always had contingency plans--our clients never knew if there were any issues or problems because Courtney had everything covered!
Claudia Sanchez, Marketing and Outreach Director
Community Health Choice
For six years I worked almost daily with Courtney, and during those years I observed her dedication, passion, attention to detail, and her love for doing her job well. I am most impressed with her ability to quickly learn and take on new skills and areas of expertise. Courtney is always one step ahead of the current marketing trends and is always pushing to do more.
David Turner, Director of Interactive Media
Turnstile Advertising
Courtney has excellent management and organizational skills that always exceed our expectations and ultimately save us time and money.
Lawrence Johnson, President
Dub3 Solutions
Courtney is one of the most hardworking, dedicated, committed co workers I've ever had the pleasure to work with. She goes above and beyond for the guest, and the staff; always willing to help when needed without even having to ask. She was my co worker, my mentor and is someone I'm proud to call my friend.
Gloria Eskandari, Sales Manager
Boomers, Fountain Valley
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