Arika Johnson

About Arika Johnson

I am a strategic event and experience leader with more than 15 years of driving business impact through high-level conference strategy, stakeholder engagement, and revenue-focused program design within association environments.As Senior Conferences & Events Manager at the Nuclear Energy Institute, I lead the planning and strategic direction of many of our large-scale industry events attended by senior leaders across the nuclear sector. I partner across departments to ensure our events reflect organizational priorities, operate efficiently, and create meaningful engagement that strengthens member value and sponsor relationships.I specialize in aligning event strategy with broader business and membership objectives, using data to inform contracting decisions, optimize portfolio performance, and enhance sponsorship and revenue models. I approach events not as standalone programs, but as critical touchpoints within the member journey — opportunities to deepen engagement, reinforce industry alignment, and support long-term retention.My leadership approach centers on cross-functional collaboration, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. As a Certified Meeting Manager (CMM), I bring a strategic lens to experience design, financial performance, and sustainable program growth.I am committed to building experiences — and teams — that advance organizational strategy, strengthen member communities, and drive measurable impact.

Experience

1. Senior Conferences and Events Manager

   Nuclear Energy Institute

   Jan 2017 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   Event ManagementSpearheaded the strategic planning and execution of over 100 high-impact conferences and events, driving significant revenue growth and enhancing attendee experiences.Develop and manage program content in collaboration with senior leadership, designing educational and sessions that aligned with organizational goals, enhancing attendee engagement.Led the production logistics as the technical liaison, managing all facets of production schedules, asset management, and onsite execution.Directed the hiring and management of vendors, including production companies and catering services, optimizing event quality and operational efficiency.Conference LogisticsCreate and execute logistics for venue sourcing, contract negotiations, food and beverage selections, audio/visual, general service contractors, room block management, sponsorship, vendor sourcing, risk management, budget development, and post event reconciliation.Leadership and ManagementSpearheaded the strategic direction of a high-performing team of conference managers and registrars, cultivating a culture of innovation and excellence. This leadership led to the development and execution of a forward-thinking fee model, driving a 20% increase in non-dues revenue and ensuring financial growth.Designed and implemented comprehensive standard operating procedures, integrating best practices, key considerations, and strategic timeframes. These initiatives streamlined conference policies, optimized production schedules, and clarified roles and responsibilities, driving operational efficiency.Project and Systems ManagementDeveloped and implemented a comprehensive strategic plan for the registration team, including best practices for importing existing registrations and creating new events within the AMS.Work collaboratively and cross-departmentally to create seamless business operations within our technology platforms and AMS to enhance the attendee registration experience.

Education

• University of Maryland Eastern Shore

  Computer Science

Skills

• Program Management
• Event Planning
• Social Media
• Public Relations
• Nonprofits