Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Additional Information
References
Timeline
Generic
Laura Carey

Laura Carey

Niagara Park,NSW

Summary

Dynamic Events and Hospitality Specialist dedicated to making guests feel welcome and appreciated. Exceptional people skills and an outgoing personality, with years of experience in all areas of events and hospitality, make me flexible and adaptable. I thrive under pressure and in busy environments, and I have a calm demeanor during moments when quick decisions need to be made.

Currently, I'm the National Events Project Executive for Starlight Children's Foundation, and lead our signature Five Chefs Dinners Australia-wide. Although I love my role, the constant travel is getting a bit tiresome, so I'm starting to look for something closer to home.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

National Events Project Executive

Starlight Children's Foundation
North Sydney , NSW
08.2023 - Current
  • Currently, the National Lead for Starlight's signature fundraising events, our Five Chef Dinners, across four states. Guest numbers exceed 400 at each event.
  • Attend menu tastings and work with our celebrity chefs and wineries to curate a five-course degustation for each event.
  • Relationship manager for all venues, including major hotels and convention centers, to manage the logistics of event rollout.
  • Drive event content and theming, including entertainment, the look and feel of the room, scripts, speeches, all collateral, and fundraising initiatives.
  • Created and managed project timelines in Monday.com for all internal cross-functional teams, including Partnerships, Philanthropy, Marketing and Communication, Finance, and project teams in each state.
  • Facilitated regular meetings with upward of 15 internal teams to discuss project status and address team concerns.
  • Managed vendor relationships to ensure the timely delivery of project materials and services.
  • Implemented process improvements to enhance efficiency within the project workflow.
  • Supported budget management by tracking expenses and ensuring resource allocation compliance.
  • Drafted reports for senior management outlining project status and progress.
  • Created detailed work breakdown structures that identified tasks, milestones, durations, dependencies, resources required.
  • Floor plans and run sheets run by me for approval or adjustments.
  • Conducted post-project reviews to assess success or failure of each initiative.

Venue and Event Coordinator

Glenworth Valley
Glenworth Valley, NSW
09.2022 - 08.2023
  • Oversaw event logistics, venue scheduling, and accommodations.
  • Coordinated vendors, timelines, and budgets for events.
  • Organized event facility, food and beverage selections, and audio-visual arrangements.
  • Developed detailed event schedules to streamline operations on-site.
  • Managed vendor relationships to ensure timely delivery of services.
  • Created detailed reports outlining event planning progress, timelines, budgets, and other relevant information.
  • Worked in tandem with department heads to coordinate the logistics of all calendar events.
  • Created program activities, agendas, and budgets based on client requirements.
  • Chose facilities, inspected spaces, and planned setup and execution to exceed client expectations.
  • Conferred with customers to gather event requirements, and explore opportunities.

Assistant Manager

Terrigal Beach House
Terrigal, NSW
03.2022 - 08.2023
  • Mentored staff to enhance skills and achieve daily targets, using hands-on and motivational leadership.
  • Directed and led employees, supervising activities to drive productivity and efficiency.
  • Organized schedules, workflows and shift coverage to meet expected business demands.
  • Maintained inventory accuracy by counting stock-on-hand and reconciling discrepancies.
  • Completed inventory audits to identify losses and project demand.
  • Delegated assignments based on team strengths to optimize floor coverage and service levels.
  • Worked closely with customers to understand needs and resolve diverse issues.
  • Collaborated closely with management team to roll out functional and strategic initiatives.
  • Managed and motivated 40+ employees.
  • Executed many strategies to foster better customer service and promote positive and engaging environment for employees.
  • Implemented training processes for newly hired employees and supervised department managers, shift leads and production personnel.
  • Secured revenue, accurately monitoring transactions and deposits to eliminate discrepancies.
  • Led employee performance evaluations and rewarded top performers to retain quality personnel.

Front of House Manager

Shady Palms and Drifters Wharf
Gosford, New South Wales
August - 02.2022
  • Delivered high level of quality service to each patron, resulting in consistent, positive feedback from guests.
  • Built strong, respectful employee relationships to drive employee satisfaction in high turnover industry.
  • Interviewed, hired and trained new employees.
  • Improved customer service by setting expectations and coaching employees on proper service etiquette.
  • Handled guest complaints quickly to maintain positive dining experience for patrons.
  • Facilitated daily team meetings to discuss promotions, issues, service standards and team collaboration.
  • Managed day-to-day restaurant operations with focus on quality and meeting customer expectations.

Middle School Teacher

Central Coast Sports College
Kariong, NSW
01.2021 - 08.2021
  • Adapted teaching methods and instructional strategies to promote learning in students of differing skill levels.
  • Managed consistent, learning-focused classroom environments by establishing and communicating clear objectives for students.
  • Administered tests, quizzes and other assignments to gauge students' learning and knowledge of course materials.
  • Attended variety of professional development workshops centered on learning goals, classroom management, student motivation and engaging learning activities.
  • Used positive reinforcement method to redirect poor behavior.
  • Assessed student progress with course material through routine quizzes, final examinations and standardized assessments.
  • Facilitated activities that developed students' physical, emotional and social growth.

Bar Supervisor

The Grange Hotel
Wyoming, NSW
01.2011 - 01.2017
  • Motivated team by giving constructive feedback to deliver exceptional patron experiences to all clientele.
  • Monitored daily checklists and side worksheets to keep other bar staff members on task.
  • Managed daily administration and operations of beverage department, answering questions, monitoring task prioritization and handling customer queries.
  • Managed bar area, cocktail design and menu and handled inventory, regulation compliance and customer relationships.
  • Balanced daily registers and generated sales reports for management.
  • Trained new bartenders on drink preparation and upselling techniques.
  • Collected and organized daily till totals and tips.

Bar Manager

Bambini Wine Room
Sydney, NSW
06.2009 - 12.2011
  • Interviewed, hired and trained staff to improve customer retention and bolster sales.
  • Monitored cash intake to reduce discrepancies.
  • Resolved escalated customer complaints to maximize satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Recommended food and drinks to patrons based on preference, pairings and special promotions.
  • Prepared specialty drinks to support servers.
  • Reorganized bar stations to streamline service flow.
  • Stayed up-to-date on latest mixology trends, bar equipment and sanitation standards.
  • Pursued training opportunities to advance mixology knowledge and refine understanding of beer, wine and liquor.
  • Oversaw drink service at busy establishment serving over 400 guests nightly.
  • Planned and managed many high profile events for celebrities and press including James Packer's birthday celebrations.

Cocktail Bartender and Event Manager

Pier 26
Cockle Bay, NSW
01.2007 - 05.2009
  • Maintained adherence to client-event requirements through effective delegation, prioritizing and management of all production phases, from concept to execution.
  • Prepared, monitored, and maintained event budgets.
  • Maintained close communication with clients to mitigate service issues.
  • Organized venues, budgets, guest lists, catering and event timelines.
  • Hired and trained staff for cross-functional assignments and verified employee knowledge of specific procedures related to each event type.
  • Attended and participated in industry events.
  • Planned menus to align with event theme or budget, coordinated catering services and selected appropriate entertainment.

Education

Bachelor of Primary Education - Primary Education

Curtin University
Perth
12.2016

Wine Appreciation Bronze, Silver And Gold

Australian Hotel Association
2010

Skills

  • Event project management
  • Customer relationship management
  • Team leadership
  • Strategic planning
  • Effective communication
  • Problem resolution
  • Time management
  • Attention to detail
  • Contract management
  • Staff management
  • Innovation and creativity
  • Documentation management
  • Problem-solving aptitude
  • Adaptability

Additional Information

I have extensive Deputy, Monday.com, Asana, Microsoft Excel, Word, One Drive, all Google applications, Givergy, Dynamics 365 experience.

References

References available on request.

Timeline

National Events Project Executive

Starlight Children's Foundation
08.2023 - Current

Venue and Event Coordinator

Glenworth Valley
09.2022 - 08.2023

Assistant Manager

Terrigal Beach House
03.2022 - 08.2023

Middle School Teacher

Central Coast Sports College
01.2021 - 08.2021

Bar Supervisor

The Grange Hotel
01.2011 - 01.2017

Bar Manager

Bambini Wine Room
06.2009 - 12.2011

Cocktail Bartender and Event Manager

Pier 26
01.2007 - 05.2009

Front of House Manager

Shady Palms and Drifters Wharf
August - 02.2022

Bachelor of Primary Education - Primary Education

Curtin University

Wine Appreciation Bronze, Silver And Gold

Australian Hotel Association

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Laura Carey