Getting to Know & Build Trust with your Events Team: Why it matters when choosing your Wedding & Events Venue.
Getting to Know & Build Trust with your Events Team:
Why it matters when choosing your Wedding & Events Venue.
Building Trust and Excellence at San Remo Ballroom
When it comes to planning your wedding or event, choosing the right venue is crucial. However, it’s not just about the aesthetics and location of the venue. The people behind the scenes— the event planners, coordinators, and staff— play a significant role in making your special day a truly memorable and successful event. As one of Melbourne’s renowned events venues, we strongly value the importance of getting to know our clients and their visions when agreeing to host their event, and for them, how crucial it is to learn about and build trust in the events team before choosing their venue.
The importance of knowing your Events Team
Trust and communication are the cornerstones of any successful relationship. By getting to know your event planners and coordinators, you can establish a strong foundation of trust, ensuring that your ideas are heard and your vision is brought to life without any misunderstandings. A team that listens and understands your needs will work tirelessly to make your event perfect.
Weddings and significant events are such special, personal and emotional experiences, which is why our team will always connect with our couples and clients on a deep level to make the entire planning process enjoyable and as seamless as possible. At SRB, we take pride in our friendly and approachable nature. We want you to feel comfortable and confident in our abilities to make your dream event a reality!
Meet the SRB Dream Team of Melbourne Events Experts
Cinzia Daskarolis – Event Planning Manager
With a lifetime of experience in the wedding and events industry, Cinzia’s happy place is standing in the middle of the ballroom, planning how to best execute our clients’ visions. Attentive, warm, and always ready to help, Cinzia is a consummate professional, guiding clients through their major life milestones.
Q. What do you love most about Melbourne & the hospitality and events industry? The culture mix, variety of food, endless things to do, etc.? Do you have a favourite venue, restaurant, bar, cafe?
A. “Definitely the food and restaurant scene. So many different multicultural offerings and amazing coffee! From the local cafes to the delicious restaurants in the CBD. Melbourne is full of vibrant and hidden treasures. Gimlet does not disappoint! Head to Apollo Inn for a great pre dinner experience. Scopri is also a local fave. Looking forward to trying their new venture Bar Orlo for pre dinners too.”
Q. What’s your favourite or dream holiday destination and why?
A. “Italy (Sicily) to see all my family who live there and spend time by the seaside where my parents were from.”
Q. How do you like to spend your weekends?
A.“My weekends are mainly spent with family – my two daughters, Ava and Sienna, and my husband, Louie. We like to spend a lot of time down on the mornington Peninsula. Carnival’s are go-to for us as we all have lots of fun together.”
Q. What do you love most about your role in events?
A. “The people! Being part of their special and most memorable milestones.”
Q. If you could plan a dream wedding for any celebrity, who would it be and why?
A. “A member of the Royal family. The history, traditions and cultural elements would be absolutely amazing! Not to mention how extravagant and elaborate every little single detail would be. An event of a lifetime!”
Vanessa Cross – Event Executive
For almost a decade, Vanessa has been inspiring SRB wedding couples with her attention to detail and creativity. People are her passion, and she truly listens to what clients want, helping to create magical memories with personal touches that exceed expectations.
Q. What do you love most about Melbourne & the hospitality and events industry? Do you have a favourite venue, restaurant, bar, cafe?
A. “I love the fast pace and variety the events industry throws at you – that no two days and no two events are the same. Could forever eat at Chin Chin, and live of their Kingfish Sashimi – washed down with their Lady Bunny Cocktails”
Q. What does your ideal day off look like?
A. “Mum of two sports obsessed boys, my days “off” are filled with Basketball, Soccer and Football – when I get a chance to hang with my husband, we are generally in the garden or at a restaurant – we’ve created Melbourne-esque kids who look a dinner out!”
Q. What’s your go-to comfort food after a long day of planning and coordinating events?
A. “A go to recipe in our home is a no fuss salmon laksa tray bake – sounds fancy but is so simple!”
Q. What’s your favourite or dream holiday destination and why?
A. “I’m fortunate enough to have a travelled around the world a lot over the years, my favourite place is still under the willow tree in Mulwala” (photo added)
Q. If you could plan an event anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
A. “I would never say no to a wedding under the Tuscan sun – but happy to travel anywhere with sunshine!”
Q. If you could plan a dream wedding for any celebrity, who would it be and why?
A. “BEYONCE … need I say more?”
Laura Ciantar – Event Coordinator
Combining a naturally sweet and friendly demeanour with a solid foundation in the food and beverage industry, Laura brings energy, expertise, and flair to every event. She is passionate about transforming our couples’ visions into tangible, unforgettable experiences.
Q.What does your ideal day off look like? Are you a relaxing (with a book, watching a movie) kind of person, or more of an outdoors adventurist?
A. “My ideal day off would consist of going out for brunch for a good avocado smash in the morning with some friends and then ending the afternoon with a walk with my dog around the park followed by relaxing on the couch and watching a good drama movie.”
Q. What’s your favourite or dream holiday destination and why?
A. “A dream holiday destination would be going to see the Northern lights in winter, this has been a dream of mine to see as it would be such a beautiful natural sight to witness.”
Q. What do you love most about your role in events?
A. “Planning and building connections with clients throughout the planning process. I love meeting with them all to ensure their vision comes to life and plan an event they will remember forever. It is so lovely to see the event all set ready to go on the day and to see the couples/clients reactions on the day after all the planning during the last few months.”
Q. What’s the best piece of advice you would give to someone planning their event for the first time?
A. “Create a checklist and use this as a guide throughout the whole planning process. This will allow you to keep track of what details need to be either booked in or confirmed, this will allow for a smooth planning process until the day of the event”
Rachel Fletcher – A warm welcome to our new Sales Executive
Q.What does your ideal day off look like? Are you a relaxing (with a book, watching a movie) kind of person, or more of an outdoors adventurist?
A.“My ideal day off involves going for a long walk with my girlfriend, perhaps some sewing and then relaxing watching my latest drama.”
Q. What’s your favourite or dream holiday destination and why?
A. “I don’t have a dream destination as I enjoy exploring somewhere new each time. I do often try to return to Japan as I lived there for 6 years teaching English.”
Q. What do you love most about your role in events?
A. “I love the excitement of meeting potential clients, seeing their reaction when they see our stunning ballroom and being part of their journey to find their ideal event space.”
Q. What’s the most unique or creative event theme you’ve ever worked on?
A. “I assisted with a wedding that had a Great Gatsby theme.”
Lauren Samuels – Sales & Marketing Manager
With over 15 years in the industry, Lauren is a dynamic blend of creativity and passion. She has fueled SRB’s marketing campaigns for more than six years, ensuring that SRB always sparkles in the spotlight.
Q. What do you love most about Melbourne & the hospitality and events industry? Do you have a favourite spot or favourite thing to do?
A. “We are so lucky in Melbourne to have so many incredible options for food, events, theatre and more. I love the vibe, the excitement of trying a new restaurant, experiencing incredible hospitality and being out and about in Melbourne. Some of my faves are Maha, Donovans, Lucia (new), plus I’m a big musical theatre girl so I love being at the beautiful old theatres we have in town.”
Q. What does your ideal day off look like?
A. “A day off for me is being with my hubby and 3 kids. I love being able to spend time just chilling out, letting them enjoy the backyard with their monkey bars, chasing the dog and sitting round roasting marshmallows on the fire pit. However if it is a kid free day (rare lol) massages and lunch with friends would look pretty good to me.”
Q. What do you love most about your role in events?
A. “With my role in marketing and sales I get to dive into the trends, the industry and our amazing clients so I can understand how to best position our brand and venue so more amazing couples and businesses trust and love us, to bring to life their events.”
Q. What’s the best piece of advice you would give to someone planning their event for the first time?
A. “Once it gets to the night of your event, breathe and just enjoy. Trust in the amazing team who totally have your back and have such a wealth of knowledge. There is nothing they can’t manage so honestly just take your time to soak it up and live in the moment!”
Naomi Mason – Event Supervisor
With her bubbly and outgoing nature, Naomi supervises events and fills the room with infectious enthusiasm. With a decade of experience in the hospitality sector, her organised approach and passion for events ensure that every event is executed flawlessly.
Q. What does your ideal day off look like?
A. “My ideal day off would consist of any outdoor adventures. From a good road trip with my boyfriend or friends for a waterfall hike, practising my photography, or something as simple as catching up with friends or family. However, I would love to say that my normal day off looks exactly like that but to be honest my typical day off starts with a good sleep in, and for the people who know me well, my bed is one of my true loves. Followed by a good house reset and reorganising my living spaces to help my mind relax. Whether it is my ideal or typical day, it will always end with watching either a true crime or romance movie and a good book.”
Q.What’s your favourite or dream holiday destination and why?
A. My favourite holiday destination is my family’s 15 year tradition of coming together for a fortnight in Bright, Australia. It is the perfect place for day trips, waterfall hikes, waterhole swims and lazy days at the camp sites opening a book or playing some friendly competitive board games. My ultimate holiday bucket list though is to tick off the Greek Islands, Swiss Alps, Grand Canyon and the Northern Lights. To see these wonders up close and personal would be amazing because I know the photos and stories I hear do not do it justice.
Q. What’s the most memorable event you’ve ever planned or been involved in?
A. “The most memorable event I have ever done has been with San Remo Ballroom. It was a 1920’s Great Gatsby themed Gala Ball. Every inch of San Remo was decorated with shimmery tablecloths, gold backdrops, big gold and black floral centrepieces, a grand entrance with red carpet and gold draping. It even had themed performances. It was absolutely amazing! Feel Good Events absolutely nailed the brief of the client and set the vibe of the night with terrific songs one after another.
Q. What’s the best piece of advice you would give to someone planning their event for the first time?
A. “My advice would be to find a venue that has that wow factor you are searching for. Focus more on what can heighten your guest’s memories of your special day. Decorations look amazing on the first appearance but the memory of what it looked like fades overtime. It is the memories that you make with your loved ones that capture the night perfectly. Think about your entertainment from DJs or Bands, photo booths or even a gelato cart or a cannoli cart. It is these wow factors that will last a lifetime, that will stand out from the rest.”
Maria Cadoni – Director
Boasting 25 years of hospitality experience, Maria’s passion is to work with her talented team to bring epic events to life. As Director, her goal is to ensure SRB continues to leave a lasting impression as one of Melbourne’s leading event venues. Maria loves leading her team of event enthusiasts to make our clients’ dreams come true every time.
Jessica Arimatea – Operations Manager
Jessica is the point of contact on the day of our events, ensuring that all clients, guests, team members, and suppliers are well taken care of. Her calm nature, enthusiasm for people, attention to detail, and focus on the overall experience ensure that all events are unforgettable and flawlessly managed.
Rob Cadoni – Director
Rob’s passion for events stems from a love of food and bringing people together to celebrate. As Director, he focuses on customer service and overall experience, ensuring that every event is memorable and full of love and laughter.
Whether you’re hosting an upcoming corporate event, celebrating a milestone or at the beginning of your wedding planning journey, our dedicated and passionate team at SRB are here to listen, understand, and work closely with you to bring your vision to life. With over 70 years of combined experience, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional customer service and some of the best events in Melbourne.
Book a consultation with one of our expert event executives and we will listen to your ideas, offer our guidance and expertise, and make a plan with you to make your event dreams come true! We can’t wait to get to know you and create something magical together!
