Leslie Delworth
VP of Events | Experiential Marketing Leader | Strategic Brand Experiences | Sponsorships | Chicago-Based
- Role
- VP of Special Events at Illinois Restaurant Association
- Location
- Chicago, IL, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Leslie Delworth
Strategic, results-driven event executive with 15 years of experience leading large-scale brand experiences, VIP events, and high-profile activations across the consumer, hospitality, and lifestyle sectors. I specialize in experiential marketing, event strategy, and sponsorship integration that drives engagement and delivers measurable ROI.Known for blending big-picture thinking with flawless execution, I’ve led cross-functional teams, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, and partnered with C-suite leaders, Fortune 500 brands, and top-tier venues. Whether it’s a culinary festival, executive summit, or immersive consumer event, I bring bold ideas to life with precision and impact.Core strengths: Experiential Strategy • Executive Events • Brand Activations • Sponsorship Management • Budget Oversight • Team Leadership • Vendor & Venue Negotiation • C-Suite Collaboration • Chicago Market Expertise
Experience
VP of Special Events
Illinois Restaurant Association
Aug 2023 — Present · Chicago, IL, US
Manage all aspects of the Chicago Gourmet food and wine festival, overseeing team operations, budget development, sponsorship procurement, internal event coordination, and vendor relationships. I work closely with board members, executive leadership, local and national talent, and sponsors to enhance event quality and drive year-round strategic initiatives.
Education
Columbia College Chicago
Graphic Design
2005 — 2009
Skills
- Event Planning
- Sales
- Event Management
- Marketing
- Graphic Design
- Social Networking
- Social Media Marketing
- Marketing Communications
- Illustrator
- Finance
- Hospitality
- Photoshop
- Customer Service
- Social Media
- Indesign
- Microsoft Excel
- Advertising
- Public Relations
- Loan Servicing
- Management
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