As event manager at Applejack Hospitality, Vadawn Buhler is tasked with delivering “magic and memorable experiences”.

Spice’s sister publication A LIST Guide recently caught up with event pro to find out what she loves about working in events.

How long have you been in the events industry?

Oh a long time… you know you’re an old hand when you can say over 20 years!

Where did you start your career?

Bonnie Scotland, in the Crown Plaza Hotel.

What does your role involve?

End-to-end event sales and management for Applejack Hospitality venues Bopp & Tone and The Butler Potts Point. I work very closely with all departments including operations, kitchen, bar and marketing to ensure your event runs seamlessly – from group bookings to exclusive book outs. our aim is to deliver magic and memorable experiences.

What events are you working on at the moment?

We’re working on some very exciting top-secret product launches, customers are loving our Bopp & Tone Private Dining Room, and of course many end of year Christmas parties…watch this space!

What’s the best thing about your job?

The people – I am lucky to work within an amazing company that attracts fantastic customers.

What advice would you give to someone entering the field?

Be authentic and be yourself, people buy you as much as the product, if they like and trust you, that’s the battle won!

Have you had any major event disasters? What happened?

Once, when I worked agency side, we sent out an event invitation with the wrong date (a month early) on the confirmation email when people RSVP’d.

About 100 people rocked up a month early for an event…I don’t think it gets any worse than that! Luckily all was fixed quickly and we still had an amazing turn out to the actual event a month later!

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt during your career?

Be a swan, feet pedaling like crazy under water, and be elegant and calm on the outside. Stay calm, getting worked up and freaked out only slows the process.

What is the best event you have worked on and why?

I would have to say all the weddings! There is meticulous planning and endless attention to detail which I love, but more importantly there is a magical bond you have with the bride and groom.

On the day when it all goes off without a hitch, that is something special and something you never forget!

Applejack Hospitality operates several venues across Sydney, including:The Butler Potts Point, SoCal, Endeavour Tap Rooms and Bopp & Tone.