Bob Gandolfi w Event Production
Summary & Qualifications
More than 20 years experience in producing events, project management, and community relations. Strong interpersonal and social skills, highly skilled in developing relationships and building success with partners and teams, self-starter, detail-oriented, work well with diverse groups of people.
• Developing partnerships and collaborations, team and consensus building skills
• Ability to recognize and engender customer/client loyalty
• Ability to develop creative resources and work with a variety of artists
• Project management skills, managing vendors and contracts, budgets, securing permits
• Sponsorship development and fund raising ability
• Personnel management experience including employee and volunteer recruitment
• Skills & experience in event marketing and media relations
• Strong communication skills
Event Production & Management 2001 – Present
Portland Audubon Wild Arts Festival, 2007
Managing the production, along with volunteer committees, to produce the 27th annual Wild Arts Festival, a fundraising event for Audubon Society of Portland. Involved in all aspects of production including site selection and logistics, artist and author recruitment, sponsorship development, marketing and volunteer recruitment.
Tri Met light rail/commuter line event activities, 2007
Involved with groundbreaking and promotional events for the new Green Line of the Max system from Clackamas Town Center to PSU and the downtown transit mall.
Port of Portland Concourse dedication event, 2007
Produced a dedication and statue unveiling event for the newly named Governor Victor Atiyeh International terminal at the Portland Airport.
Cricket Wireless Launch and Marketing Activities, 2006-2007
Working in a team to launch a new cell phone service in the Portland market. Included working with street teams, metro wide promotions and a large scale launch event at Pioneer Square. Continuing work aligning Cricket with community events and sponsorships
Old Town/Chinatown Opening of Streetscape and Festival Streets Celebration Event, 2006
Worked with PDC and OTCT committee in producing a multicultural weekend event, Under the Autumn Moon Festival, that drew over 35,000 people and included entertainment, food vendors, global bazaar of artist’s booths, community non profits, marketing and sponsorship development.
Starbucks Read for the Record, 2006
As part of a national promotion, produced an event at Jamison Square to set a record for the number of people reading a re-released version of The Little Engine That Could as a fund raiser for Operation Jumpstart and the local SMART Program.
DaimlerChrysler, Press Events, 2006 & 2007
Worked with the press roll out of the new Jeep Compass. Involved coordinating dinners, lunch, and events for up to 150 national and international journalists over a two week period. In 2007 worked with International journalist for the rollout of two updated Chrysler products.
2187 SW Main Suite 201 · Portland, Oregon 97205 · 503.295.6500
bobevents@comcast.net · Fax- 503.295.6545
Bob Gandolfi w Event Production
Event Production & Management (continued)
Nike, North American Shoe Division Party, 2006
End of year party for employees celebrating one of their most successful years in history.
Power of the Purse, 2006 & 2007
Paired indie purse designers with local celebrities to create purses that were auctioned off at a gala dinner event as a fund raiser for Girl’s Inc.
Children’s Charity Ball, 2005
Assisted with a committee of 50 to produce the Children’s Charity Ball, a 23 year tradition in Portland Oregon. Included working with a number of committees in updating themes and “look” of the Ball.
Nike Supply Chain Meeting, 2005
Coordinated two evening dinners/events and a day long activity for a three day meeting of Nike employees.
Vancouver, WA Hilton Hotel and Convention Center Gala Opening, 2005
Part of event team that produced a private gala evening event and a free public event to celebrate the opening of the Hilton Hotel and Convention Center.
Tanner Springs Park Opening, 2005
Working with Portland Parks and Recreation and Portland Development Commission, planned two days of public events celebrating the opening of a 2 million dollar park in The Pearl district of Portland.
Growing Gardens-Chef in My Garden/The Garden Party, 2004 & 2005
Produced five fund raising dinners that pared celebrity chefs with private gardens as well as a auction and wine and food event for a non profit.
Nike Global Sales Meeting, 2005
Co-produced an opening and closing event for the Asian Sales group as part of Nike’s global Sales Meeting held in Portland Oregon.
Clackamas Women’s Services Fund Raising Walk and Women’s Concert, 2005
Co-produced a fund raising walk in conjunction with an outdoor Women’s concert for a non profit organization that provides services for domestic and sexual violence against women and children.
Women of Courage Theater Performance, 2005
A fund raising theater performance benefiting four non profits in Portland based on the books and stories by Katherine Martin of everyday women doing courageous work.
Mayor’s Farewell Events, 2004
Produced two events for the outgoing three term Mayor of Portland, Oregon, Vera Katz. A free public event included entertainment, program, and dedication of a public art piece. A private ticketed event transformed City Hall with aerial dance performances, large screen video presentation of the Mayor’s accomplishments and a dedication ceremony.
Northwest Airlines Event for the Inaugural Flight to Tokyo, 2004
Worked with the Port of Portland to produce an event kicking off daily non stop service to Japan from Portland, Oregon. Researched appropriate cultural ceremonies for the airline.
Tide Promotional Event, 2004
Co-produced a press and promotional event for a product launch of a new Tide Detergent product in conjunction with the New York and local office of Fleishman-Hillard International Communication Company. The event was billed as the “largest pajama party” in downtown Portland’s Pioneer Square.
Private Gala Parties, 2003 - 2007
In collaboration, produced gala parties that included large outdoor tenting structures for dinner, cocktails, and dancing for 300 people. Coordinated entertainment and performers, costumes, permits, and designed overall budgets for the events.
Young President’s Organization Family Weekend, 2003
Produced a family recreation weekend at Salishan Lodge for YPO. Developed theme, invitation package, coordinated food & beverage, and contracted with vendors to provide recreational activities.
Bob Gandolfi w Event Production
Event Production & Management (continued)
Garden Fever Opening, 2003
Produced an opening event for a new garden store in Portland. Developed press packages, invitations and resource list of local and regional prospective customers and industry people, and identified community non profit organizations for potential fund raising opportunities.
Portland Hilton Executive Tower Opening, 2002
Collaborated to produce a gala event for the opening of the Portland Hilton Executive Tower as a fund-
raising activity for United Way. Secured all permits with the City of Portland, coordinated security, and
managed all entertainment for the event which included a major outdoor aerial performance by national
dance company Project Bandaloop.
Illuminata Parade of Light & RiverCity Celebration, 2002
Co-produced the 2nd annual festival and lantern parade as a benefit for Portland Parks & Recreation with
over 12,000 people in attendance. Responsibilities included vendor contracts and artists booths, sponsorship and partnership development, securing parade and event permits, site logistics, coordinating entertainment.
1000 Friends of Oregon Plant and Garden Art Sale, 2001-2004
Produced the annual plant sale as a fund-raiser for 1000 Friends of Oregon. Secured donations, recruited and coordinated volunteers, recruited fund raising partners, developed marketing plan & budgets, site plan, vendor booths, and sale logistics.
Eastbank Esplanade Opening, 2001
Collaborated to design opening events, on-going summer programs and a large festival event for a new $30
million waterfront esplanade in downtown Portland, Oregon. Assisted in developing sponsorship packages.
Co-produced the Illuminata and Urban Fair Festival, that attracted over 10,000 participants in day-long activities, vendor booths ,entertainment and the Illuminata Parade of Light.
Director of Outdoor Recreation, Portland Parks and Recreation 1983 - 2000
Managed year-round, fee-supported, Outdoor Recreation and Education program for over 6,000 people a year. Designed outdoor recreation programs that ranged from two-hour workshops to seven-day adventure trips. Managed all contracts with private outfitters and vendors. Developed business relationships with over 45 private businesses, governmental agencies and non-profits. Supervised all aspects of customer service, fiscal operations, program safety and quality control, evaluation, and marketing. Recruited, supervised, trained and evaluated leaders, instructors, and volunteers. Designed public presentations and instituted weekly radio spots for a local station on outdoor recreation activities. Served as an information source for state wide outdoor recreation programs and resources. Produced a number of walks and special events in collaboration with “Friends Groups” associated with Portland Parks.
Education
MS, Recreation and Park Management, University of Oregon
Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Oregon
BS, Recreation and Park Administration, University of Illinois