Kari Parkinson
About Kari Parkinson
Kari Parkinson is a Project Manager in Professional Services at Cvent and a Yoga Instructor at EXOS and Santosha Yoga Bethany. With extensive experience in event management and fitness instruction, she has worked in various roles across multiple organizations since 2000.
Work at Cvent
Kari Parkinson has served as Project Manager in the Professional Services department at Cvent since 2022. In this role, she manages various projects related to event management and client services. Her experience in overseeing over 150 events annually and collaborating with more than 100 vendor partners contributes to her effectiveness in this position. Cvent is known for its event management software, and Parkinson's background in event management and vendor relations supports her responsibilities in this role.
Current Roles in Fitness and Yoga Instruction
In addition to her project management role at Cvent, Kari Parkinson has been actively involved in the fitness industry. She has worked as a Yoga Instructor at EXOS since 2014 and at Santosha Yoga Bethany since 2021. Furthermore, she has been a Group Fitness Instructor at both Hawthorn Farm Athletic Club and Bethany Athletic Club since 2005. Her extensive experience in fitness and yoga instruction complements her professional background in event management.
Previous Experience in Event Management
Before her current role at Cvent, Kari Parkinson held significant positions in event management. She worked at CompView as Event Manager & Vendor Relations for 13 years, where she developed her skills in managing events and vendor partnerships. Following that, she served as Director of Global Events & Vendor Relations at Diversified for five years. In these roles, she managed numerous events and fostered relationships with various vendors, enhancing her expertise in the field.
Education and Expertise
Kari Parkinson earned her Bachelor's degree in Communication from Oregon State University, where she studied from 1986 to 1990. This educational background laid the foundation for her career, transitioning from fitness and software training to marketing and event management. Her broad knowledge of software applications enhances her ability to learn new tools and technologies, which is essential in her current roles.
Career Transition and Passion for Event Management
Kari Parkinson transitioned from a career focused on fitness and software training into marketing, where she discovered a passion for event management. This shift allowed her to leverage her skills in managing events and vendor relations. She played a key role in marketing for a startup medical division that specialized in audio-visual integration for minimally invasive operating rooms, further demonstrating her versatility and commitment to the field.