12 years of event planning for my community, school and church in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

12 years of choosing the best "edutainment" for families and children in team building events, family carnivals and Sunday School

As I've been living in Dubai, UAE since 2004, I've watched the city grow and change from a desert plane to a thriving pulsating metropolitan center. I have a wealth of knowledge about where to get a good bargain, hidden gems to visit, and all the best children's entertainment options. I can save you a whole lot of research whether you're a new resident or just planning to visit Dubai.

Dubai American Academy Parents Association
Dubai
September 1, 2015 -
Executive Board Member Sept. 2010 – Current Actively participate in executive decisions on daily management of the community common spaces Offer valuable suggestions for improved community policies, procedures, park designs and tenders Submit event financial reports with recommendations for improvement Present financial reports of previous events and upcoming event budgets Provide input for community initiatives and expenses (e.g. community center with AED 2.5 million budget) Head of Community Development & Recreation Committee Sept. 2014 - Current Act as lead consultant in all matters related to community events and activities Produce a full annual community events calendar for 1500-villa compound Manage the budget, spending and all event financials Establish and expand 2 annual community events from 150 to 1000 visitors in each Negotiate event sponsorship deals with 12 to 16 partners Design and manufacture a 15,000 dirham Haunted House with a 9 room maze for a Halloween event Design and implement a community service program for high school students Brief the security team on venue access, emergency plan, set up and dismantling logistics Esmeralda Village Coordinator Sept. 2010 - June 2014 Spear-headed VHOA’s efforts to complete all pending village civil works, and fence the village Created a brief for contractors on village park specs according to international standards Negotiated deal with master developer to allocate largest space in Victory Heights for village park Noticeably reduced speeding by choosing best locations for additional speed bumps, signs, and lighting

Victory Heights Owners Association
Dubai
June 1, 2010 -
Sunday School Events Coordinator Sept. 2014 - Current Plan and organize annual Christmas & Easter carnivals for Grades Pre-KG to Grade 4 Create annual Easter Team Building Day for Grades 5 to 10 and manage 4 committees, team 30 volunteers Organize and manage all logistics of Sunday school class trips for 900 children, and 50 volunteers Sunday School Arts & Crafts Coordinator Sept. 2012 – June 2014 Created weekly crafts and samples for grades Pre-KG to Grade 2 to enhance children’s lesson uptake Redecorated 7 classrooms and upgraded flooring, paint and furniture Sunday School Pre-KG Teacher Sept. 2005 – Jan 2009 Managed team of 8 teachers and assistants, responsible for 52 children in weekly lessons Upgraded assistants’ class discipline tactics and class management skills Enhanced curriculum to engage children with music, interactive story telling, and edutainment games

Saint Mina Coptic Orthodox Church, Dubai
Dubai
September 1, 2005 -
F&B Coordinator Sept. 2016 – Current Facilitate F&B sponsors for DAAPA full year events calendar Engage new potential sponsors at Gulf Food Expo and forge new sampling deals Follow up on existing sponsors, and engage them in marketing and sampling opportunities in school events Chairwoman of Spring Family Festival Sept. 2016 – June 2017 Overhaul existing annual DAAPA fundraiser with a new format, decreasing heavy dependency on volunteers Plan festival to generate 50,000 AED for DAAPA projects in upcoming school year (2017/18) Delegate duties to 6 committees to ensure focused and well timed action plan Negotiate all F&B contracts to secure DAAPA funding Oversee all logistics, promotional campaign, ticket sales, sponsors and venue layout plan VP of Primary School Division Sept. 2015 - June 2016 Oversaw and supervised 16 DAAPA projects and events during the school year Negotiated better deals with new suppliers and upgraded service for 5 pizza day events. Collaborated with Elementary School VP to rally volunteers for school seasonal decorating days Co-organized the highly anticipated annual Winter Carnival for 1500 students Meticulously time managed Winter Carnival activity sequence of 57 classes, 7 daily sessions, each 75 students.

American University in Cairo
1997