devaki ananda murch
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“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Maya Angelou Growing up on Kauai, Hawaii, Devaki Murch was raised in a small island community with a strong relationship with the people and the land. She has the keen ability to understand and process details to and deliver potential opportunities, challenges and plan to make visions a reality. She recently resigned from her Director of Events position to be able to commit herself to organizations and communities that serve our people and our land. She has a strong network of brilliant, wacky, highly talented and committed creatives that she calls into to make the magic happen. SKILLZ
WHAT I DO
I create space for magic to happen. I bring years of successes and failures to produce exceptional experiences. Deliberate attention to the details and all of the contributing variables and elements are the secret sauce to creating an engaging, productive and memorable experience. EXPERIENCE Trade Show Director, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance — 2016-2023 Trade show director for Grassroots Connect, a bi-annual association member trade show (4+ days, 100+vendors, 250,000+ sf). Developed, produced and operated trade show from site selection and contracts to onsite show experience. Connect has grown to be the most influential and repeatedly attending trade show for independent specialty retailers in the outdoor industry. I managed a $750,000 show budget. I created and developed the Discovery Marketplace, a unique 3 hour, single night that offered a new brand experience that extended the buying opportunities for the retailers. The Discovery Marketplace generated $70+K, inaugural show in Fall 2022 and $100+K in the Spring 2023 show. Responsibilities included but not limited to: Site selection, negotiation and contracting and managing show venue, hotel rooms & blocks, event venues. Vendor Management: Managed vendors starting from seasonal show contract confirmation: including booth design, layout, specifications, booth guideline compliance, signage, graphics, rentals, meeting guidelines, onsite show process and details. Mitigated booth / product issues and problems. (This has included in-booth meeting room design, graphics concerns, issues as well as onsite theft, rain leaks resulting in booth flooding, heart attacks, full facility evacuations, power outages, missing freight, missing booth/crate, no-show vendors etc. Show services: Event space management, design and flow, Tradeshow floor development and design and vendor layout. Coordinated internet, electrical and special services. Decorator Services: Worked with decorator for show floor plan, layout, design, full floor pipe and drape set up and individual booth design. Oversight on freight communication and processes. Food and Beverage: Menu development and selection, program coordination and F&B planning and oversight. Contractor / Partner Services: Selected and hired contractors for all extra services for Connect: included but not limited to: scheduling, managed services and payment (Audio Visual, Security, In-House venue services, EMT services, Registration Services, Show rentals, transportation, volunteers and onsite staffing, Pandemic Response services etc). Survived last minute “co-location” cancellation by Outdoor Retailer in 2019, resulting in the loss of venue, Colorado Convention Center and hotels- 2 months pre-show. Made it through the pandemic layoff and 30% attrition of attendees in Fall 2021 and Spring 2023 due to strict board and organization supported vaccine and mask mandates. Program and Added Value Services: Developed and coordinated vendor Sponsorship opportunities, scheduled and managed education sessions, programming, schedules and AV-presentation requirements. Developed and implemented special programing each season to bring surprise and delight to the show: Coffee carts, non-traditional vendors and experiences. Organization and Board Support: Coordinated, implemented Board Meetings (multi-day, offsite) and gathering year round and onsite and Connect. Team coordination with the Grassroots team for all aspects of show development. Race Director, Marketing Director, Salt Lake Running Company - 2015-201 Established Park City Trail Series, a 4 event running race series - 5k, 10k, 15k and 1/2 marathon over the course of 4 consecutive months. Developed relationships with Park City Mountain Trails to develop awareness of impact on event areas. Also produced RUN SLC, 4 series in-town running events - 5k, 10k, 15k and 1/2 marathon, over the course of 4 consecutive months. Responsible for in-store consumer marketing digital and social communications and inshore branding and partnerships for POP and branded activations with key vendors. Community Relations Manager, Outdoor Retailer — 2007-2014 Mitigated housing and registration issues for Outdoor Retailer in its peak years, 27k attendees: summer show. Managed activation zones onsite at each show: New Product Zone, Climbing, Paddle, Yoga, Fly Fishing. Special Projects: OR Art Gallery, Park N Peda Community Manager, Prana — 2003-2005 Brand manager for Prana events and tradeshows. Advocacy liaison and coordinator, athlete team manager, marketing coordinator. EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
SKILLS Highly organized, detail oriented, process driven individual. Extremely resourceful and creative. Innovative thinker. Special attention to individuals and recognizing nuances that quietly accommodate for differences and allowing people to be heard and seen. Excellent efficient and productive time management skills and workflow. Works well with others, works excellent when allowed to work independently within a team structure. Non Profit Experience Boulder Wellness Network, Founder, Director 2020-present Music Farming, Admin, 2023-present Paradox Sports, Program and brand Development during start up period - 2006-2008 PROJECTS & INTERNSHIPS 2020 International Dark Sky Association, Board Member 2020 Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Leadership Training, Regional Broadband Leader 2019 Southeastern Utah Night Sky Reserve, Project Manager 2019 Boulder Night Sky, Director 2019 Utah Outdoor Association, Industry Development Committee 2016 New Mexico Outdoor Economics Summit, Panelist 2006 Conservation Alliance, Lobbying efforts, Joshua Tree 2005 Conservation Alliance, Lobbying efforts, Joshua Tree |
