Meet The Team

We are a dedicated team of event professionals who love what we do. Drawing on our dynamic individual strengths and experience, we work together to create engaging event experiences.

 

Executive Directors

Planning for Mike’s first event started in 1989. Seems like only yesterday but now our company employs many people and we do many events. Mike is an industry leader, finding himself representing the event management industry on the Business Events Council of Australia and his peers on the Council of the Professional Conference Organisers Association. What a ride its been and what a satisfying field to be working in! His passion now is sharing his events experience and understanding with colleagues and clients as they work together to produce even better conferences.

Mike Pickford
Executive Chairman
Strengths: Honesty, Creativity, Gratitude

Tim’s previous business leadership experience in Australia and The United Kingdom, across industries such as Professional Development, Health and Fitness and Automotive, led him to the opportunity of joining Mike as part of the fabric of ASN Events. Tim has a drive and passion for enabling personal and professional growth within each team member at ASN Events and this ensures that his unflinching client service standards form the basis of the ASN Events approach to client delight and loyalty. Tim particularly enjoys staying at the sharp end of the conference and events industry and has grown a strong network with whom he regularly discusses the challenges and opportunities of the industry.

Tim Hancock
Managing Director
Strengths: Perspective, Hope, Zest
 

Project Team

 

Despite growing up alongside ASN Events, learning the ropes of the business from her father Mike, Hannah’s journey into the event industry wasn’t so predictable.

Driven to chase high pressure and dynamic environments, Hannah built her strong problem solving and leadership capabilities through work overseas, in immigration centres and with the police before joining ASN ‘officially’ in 2013.

Hannah has progressed from Project Officer to Director of Projects and Business Development, and leads the corporate division of the company – Nowadays. Her wish to deliver memorable, lasting event experiences for all stakeholders drives her client centric approach. She gains great motivation and passion in pushing the boundaries of excellence for every event – big or small and now with pride, contributes to ASN’s continued growth and profile as a leading event management firm.

Hannah Pickford
Director of Major Projects

Strengths: Leadership, Humility, Perseverance

Jim joined ASN in 2010 as an enthusiastic & ambitious Project Officer. Keen to take on new challenges, Jim worked on various projects, some of which he’s still associated with today. In Jim’s current role as Director of Projects and Operations, he’s dedicated to enhancing skills of all staff alongside delivering outstanding events.

Jim completed a dual diploma in Event Management and Hospitality in 2010. His main inspiration for joining the industry stems from attending an international conference in Sydney back in 2008 where he discovered the significance of scientific exchange.

Outside of ASN, Jim is heavily involved in community sports. Jim obtains enormous gratification from his involvement at the North Balwyn Cricket Club, of which he was presented Life Membership.

Jim Fawcett
Director of Domestic/NZ Projects

Strengths: Teamwork, Kindness, Perseverance

Antonia embarks on a thrilling new chapter with ASN Events, bringing over 12 years of industry experience in event management, sales, and marketing to this exciting new role within the team. Passionate and seasoned, she steps into the team hoping to elevate the business through her strategic acumen and keen eye for detail. Outside of work, you will find Antonia escaping the city on adventures with her husband and two young boys and catching up with friends over a good bottle of wine.

Antonia Beddoes
Business & Partnerships Manager

Strengths: Love, Honesty, Kindness

Jordyn first joined ASN as a junior Project Officer in 2015 and through her dedication to clients, enthusiasm and attention to detail she quickly developed into a Project Manager and became an integral part of our Sponsorship Team. Jordyn’s passion is to deliver world class events, while getting to work across the country in large cities or remote towns.

Jordyn Trolove
Senior Project Manager
Strengths: Love, Curiosity, Self-regulation

 

Aileen joined the ASN team in 2022 with over 10 years’ experience in conference and events management.  With a background in communications, her experience across large, international conferences and exhibitions means you are in good hands.  Never one to back down from a challenge and always keen to learn something new, she loves being a part of the events journey – from inception to completion and looks forward to helping you build your perfect event.  When she isn’t busy planning conferences, you can find her on the tennis court, watching Formula 1, reading a book or exploring all the amazing parts of Australia.

Aileen Lozie
Project Manager

Strengths: Bravery, Perspective, Leadership
 

Claire is a seasoned relationship manager with expertise in client relations, and event coordination. Her background spans industries such as hotels, associations and private member clubs. Claire excels at stakeholder engagement, strategic account management, and event execution. With a strong focus on achieving client satisfaction, Claire is known for her leadership, communication skills, and ability to foster lasting client relationships. She holds a Diploma of Business and has received multiple awards for her achievements.

In her spare time, Claire loves cheering on the Richmond Football Club, dining out with friends, and planning her next holiday.

Claire McParland
Project Manager

Strengths: Humour, Honesty, Judgement
 

Lianna completed her diploma in event management in 2018. Since she has worked as a Business Development Manager for one of the largest multidisciplinary pain clinics in Australia, planning and running events for medical professionals across Australia. She has also worked for a not-for-profit association in the Electrical Industry. She enjoys building strong, trustworthy relationships with her colleagues and sponsors and enjoys seeing all the hard work put into events come to life.

Lianna-Danielle Rizk
Senior Project Officer

Strengths: Honesty, Teamwork, Kindness

 

Sally joined ASN Events in 2022. With over 25 years in the Events Industry, she brings to ASN a wide range of experiences and expertise in areas such as major sporting events, trade shows, conferences, gala dinners, event openings, exhibitions and more. At ASN Events, Sally will be continuing to strengthen her knowledge and will continue to build strong client relationships. Outside of work Sally enjoys spending time with family and friends, keeping fit, cooking and reading.

Sally Wills
Senior Project Officer

Strengths: Honesty, Kindness, Fairness
 

Jeffrey has over a decade of experience working in the events industry, with a strong foundation in UX design, marketing, and visual content creation.

He has extensive international experience, particularly in the APAC region and Greater China area, where he has managed the full lifecycle of events, from logistics and coordination to content creation and post-event analysis.

His background in UX allows him to bring a user-centred approach to event planning, ensuring seamless experiences for clients and attendees alike. Jeffrey’s expertise in marketing and design further enhances his ability to deliver engaging and impactful events across diverse markets.

Jeffrey Chiu
Project Officer

Strengths: Love, Creativity, Curiosity

Embarking on a career shift from software development in 2001, Chris has amassed a wealth of event management experience. This journey has equipped them with a comprehensive set of skills applicable across diverse sectors, including corporate, community, charity, and private events.

Fuelled by an unwavering work ethic, Chris is dedicated to delivering a professional end product that not only meets expectations but surpasses them, thereby enriching the lives of participants and beneficiaries. Their approach to every project involves a harmonious blend of knowledge, enthusiasm, and professionalism, coupled with effective communication skills that resonate across all levels.

Looking towards the future, Chris' career objective is to lead a small to mid-sized team, leveraging their expertise to orchestrate professionally run events. The focus remains on creating experiences that not only meet logistical standards but also leave a lasting impact on individuals, both personally and professionally. With a trajectory aimed at enriching lives through the art of event management, Chris is committed to steering the course towards innovative and meaningful experiences.

Chris Dayson
Senior Project Manager

Strengths: Fairness, Honesty, Humour
 

Lottie joined the ASN team in 2022 and comes from a background of working in events and hospitality.  Originally from the UK, Lottie has managed in London and internationally large-scale conferences and exhibitions ranging from 500 – 4000 delegates. She also has experience working closely with charities and managing their outdoor mass participation events. Lottie enjoys being on site and seeing the event come together and loves that her job takes her to different sites across the country and internationally.

Lottie Moore
Project Manager

Strengths: Fairness, Honestly, Kindness
 
Chloe Armstrong
Project Manager

Strengths:
 

Zoe found her love for event management when she first organised product launches in the Tasmanian the hospitality industry, this is where she discovered her passion for creating engaging and memorable events. She transitioned to managing major award ceremonies and training programs, driven by her commitment to crafting extraordinary experiences.

She joined ASN in 2023 after realising the potential for further development and many exciting opportunities in Melbourne. Zoe is excited to keep transforming events into unforgettable moments, leaving a lasting impression on all who attend.

Zoe Bailey-Drake
Senior Project Officer

Strengths: Fairness, Forgiveness, Honesty

 

Sarah joined ASN Events in November 2023, bringing with her six years of rich experience in the Hospitality industry. During her time in hospitality, Sarah discovered her passion for orchestrating memorable events, which inspired her to transition into the field of Event Management. With her dynamic energy and unwavering commitment to exceptional service, she consistently strives to exceed client expectations. Sarah is eager to embrace this new chapter with ASN Events and looks forward to creating unforgettable experiences through events.

Sarah Dart
Project Officer

Strengths: Kindness, Humour, Fairness

Mia joined ASN in September 2023 with over 15 years events experience spanning across multiple aspects of the industry. Starting her career in corporate venue sales, she’s since worked in furniture and catering equipment hire, offsite catering from small to large scale events, association member events and conferences (including international) as well as volunteering her time at charity fundraisers. She is dedicated and passionate about all things events and enjoys seeing them through from inception to completion. In her spare time if she’s not planning a group outing with friends, she enjoys trying new restaurants, going to the football or planning her next global adventure.

Mia Tobing
Senior Project Manager

Strengths: Honesty, Humour, Fairness
 

Prior to joining ASN in 2023, Jess has been honing her event management skills since 2006, when she opted out of schoolies to pursue a career in events. She quickly made her mark by organizing triathlons across Australia, demonstrating her keen eye for detail and strong logistical abilities.

After her success in the triathlon industry, Jess landed a role at one of Australia's oldest and largest music festivals. A true career highlight. Her diverse background as an Event Manager sees Jess take pride in delivering seamless, fun and structured events across a variety of fields.  

When she's not organizing events, she loves nothing more than to go camping with her husband and two kids and hopes by the end of 2023 to have “caravan owner” on her resume!

Jess Young
Project Manager

Strengths: Humour, Fairness, Leadership
 

Manisha is a seasoned professional with eight years of experience within industry associations managing events and strategic partnerships. Known for fostering collaboration and driving impactful initiatives, she excels at creating engaging experiences that connect people and ideas. In her free time, Manisha enjoys traveling, exploring new cultures and cuisines, and spending time with her young son.

Manisha Prakash
Project Manager

Strengths: Honesty, Kindness, Teamwork
 

Stephanie joined ASN in 2023. She spent her childhood overseas and was lucky enough to live in 3 different countries in 3 different continents. She returned to Australia in 2008 with a wealth of experiences from her travels. After years of working on the fringe of events in the hospitality sector (mostly in cinemas), she decided to dive into events properly. Stephanie completed her Diploma of Event Management in 2016 and graduated as an award-winning student. Since then, she's worked on events ranging in size from 200-2000 attendees and loves the energy that comes with being onsite in the thick of events. In her personal life, she loves watching movies, playing games and spending time with her family, friends, and her Finnish Lapphund puppy.

Stephanie Puckridge
Senior Project Officer

Strengths: Perspective, Perseverance, Teamwork

 

Marie comes from a diverse professional background, ranging from childcare, aviation, and now events. Her career began in the Early Years Childhood Education sector, where she honed her skills in managing, and creating engaging and captivating marketing strategies, that resonated with families for 5 years. Transitioning into the Aviation Industry, Marie applied her organisational and administration skills, alongside with her creativity, to enhance brand visibility and customer experience in a fast-paced, global environment.

Now, she has begun her new journey, stepping into the exciting world of Events. Known for her dedication and commitment to excellence, she is always eager to learn and grow. Continuously seeking out new ways to refine her skills and stay ahead of industry trends. Marie's journey reflects her adaptability and enthusiasm, to contribute and drive success in various fields.

Marie Sidoroski
Project Officer

Strengths: Honesty, Kindness, Humour

Danae joined the ASN team in Feb 2024 as a Senior Project Manager and People Lead. Danae originally started her corporate career in the magazine distribution and retail industry in Category and Account Management. After a few years overseas, she returned and commenced her work in events. Danae has worked in pharmaceutical events for over 15 years managing everything from training events, product launches, sales conferences and sales incentive trips. After 12 years on the client side, Danae made the switch and began her time with a PCO. 3 years later, Danae is now continuing to her expand her knowledge even further by joining the ASN team. She has a passion for the industry and loves seeing how understanding a clients' needs can help deliver a well executed event - with a smile.

Danae Maniatakis
Senior Project Manager

Strengths: Kindness, Humour, Honesty
 

Marlee, a seasoned events manager originally from Canada, has found her calling in Australia's vibrant events industry. With over six years dedicated to associations, she thrives on curating memorable experiences and building strong client relationships. Outside the office, she channels her energy into boxing and indulges her passion for Melbourne's culinary scene, constantly exploring its diverse array of restaurants and bars.

Marlee Patoka
Project Manager

Strengths: Social Intelligence, Honesty, Humour
 

Rebecca joined the ASN team in July 2023. Rebecca has a Degree in Business Event Management and has over 10 years’ experience in not-for-profit and association event management. With a strong focus on stakeholder engagement Rebecca loves bringing people together to connect, learn and grow. When not planning a conference, Rebecca is researching her next travel destination.

Rebecca Bourchier
Senior Project Officer

Strengths: Honesty, Kindness, Teamwork
 

Although Joy’s background is primarily in education, training and development, Joy found that the values and core strengths of a successful event align with her own. A successful event brings people together to share experiences, fosters a sense of connection between people and opens a door for fruitful collaboration. These reasons grow Joy’s passion for events. They compel Joy to deliver excellent events that elevate all stakeholders, moving them one step closer to both their personal and business goals.

Joy Sangchuj
Senior Project Officer

Strengths: Honesty, Fairness, Perseverance
 

Joining ASN Events in 2023, Adelle has a background in writing, admin, and marketing. She is completing a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communications, and enjoys helping everyone, in office and out. In her own time, Adelle loves to grab her camera and try new things, from food to fun.

Adelle Xue
Project Officer

Strengths: Fairness, Honesty, Humour
 

Sponsorship Team

 

Chad joined the ASN team as a Sponsorship Manager in June 2018. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Central Michigan University, Chad has worked in sales for nearly a decade. Through his experience and support from a great team, Chad has achieved and exceeded sponsorship targets as well as built long lasting relationships with many clients.

Chad Murphy
Director of Sponsorship

Strengths: Fairness, Forgiveness, Kindness

Angela has over 15 years’ experience in event management. She has managed various types of events including large scale exhibitions (1000+ exhibitors) and conferences (200-1500 delegates) around Australia and overseas. With 5.5 years in association/NFP, Angela has passion for excellence and enjoys building strong lasting relationships with clients.

Outside of work Angela is a passionate photographer, a huge foodie who is always exploring new eateries. Loves fashion and all things beauty. Enjoys yoga, hiking and travelling. Adding to her achievement was hiking Table Top Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa! So amazing~~

Angela Tang
Sponsorship & Exhibition Manager

Strengths: Kindness, Honesty, Social Intelligence

Atit relocated from India in 2020 in search of a new lifestyle and adventures. Atit has completed three master’s degrees in Business and Accounts. Atit has over 8 years’ experience in Exhibitions and Events, specialising in booth sales and sponsorship. Atit is ready and willing to tackle new opportunities and challenges.

Atit Shah
Senior Sponsorship & Exhibition Manager

Strengths: Kindness, Leadership, Fairness
Elizabeth Miller
Sponsorship & Exhibition Manager

Strengths:

Lydia has been in the events industry for more than 15 years. Starting her career in hotels and venues before moving into the corporate world specifically law, education, medical and not-for-profit organisations. Her experience in non-profit gave her the background to help secure and appreciate sponsors. Lydia is passionate about building relationships and connecting with people and brings a “can-do” attitude to everything she does to create a positive impact on those around her.

Being a mum to two young children has only honed her ability to juggle and organise multiple tasks and schedules, and her innate ability to remain calm through any issue. Lydia enjoys spending time with her family and friends, travelling, pilates, listening to music and trying new restaurants.

Lydia Lazar
Senior Sponsorship & Exhibition Manager

Strengths: Perseverance, Honesty, Humour
 
 

Finance & Association Team

 

Kerrie is a financial administration specialist with over two decades of experience in management accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, bookkeeping, taxation obligations, HR and IT. Kerrie commenced with ASN in 2009 after many years as an independent consultant in the Real Estate Development Industry. Kerrie’s experience with managing multiple joint ventures brought a solid work ethic to the Events Industry, where managing the finances of event and society financials is a challenge Kerrie enjoys every day. Kerrie regards transparency, effective and efficient financial management of client funds as a number one priority and is always available to assist colleagues and clients in gaining a better understanding of financial matters.

Kerrie Harris-Spencer
Finance Director
Regional Office Hastings

Strengths: Humour, Judgement, Honesty

Michelle began working at ASN Events in 2016 and has been continually learning new skills during her years at ASN. Michelle has a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping. Michelle manages all aspects of society management including membership; trade invoicing and collection of outstanding payments; as well as day to day / month to month financials.

Michelle Harris-Spencer
Accounts/Membership Officer
Regional Office Hastings

Strengths: Humour, Love, Honesty

Lily Collins
Office Co-Ordinator
Head Office

Strengths:

Shortly after graduating from University in Scotland, Sarah moved to Australia for a ‘Working Holiday’ in 2005 and Sarah loved it so much she never left.  Sarah studied Event Management in Melbourne and fast forward to 2022, Sarah is now an Australian Citizen living on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula.

Having worked in hospitality and events at venues such as Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, sports stadiums in Melbourne, to 5 Star Hotels and Private Member Clubs, Sarah has loved the variety and challenges that come with each role.

In Sarah’s downtime, you’ll find her exploring the great outdoors with her dog (Baxter) and partner (Aaron).

Sarah Aspinall
Association Manager
Regional Office Hastings

Strengths: Fairness, Honesty, Perseverance

Courtney joined the ASN Events finance team in 2017. Courtney has a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping. Courtney manages all aspects of society management including membership; and allocation/ reconciliation of all incoming funds, ensuring funds are allocated to the correct event/society. Assisting with management of ASN’s cloud resources and other administrative tasks keeps Courtney busy.

Courtney Harris-Spencer
Accounts/Membership Officer
Regional Office Hastings

Strengths: Kindness, Honesty, Teamwork

Kara started with ASN Events in 2011 after completing her final placement for her Bachelor degree in Event Management and Sports Administration. Since then, Kara has expanded her knowledge of the events industry and is now a Project Manager. Her passion is following the journey of an event – building it from scratch, seeing it grow, and being there as it unfolds.

Kara Barker
Association Manager
Head Office/Regional Office Hastings

Strengths: Kindness, Leadership, Love

Hayley has recently joined the ASN Finance team at our regional office. She has worked in the Environmental Management field, mainly in Landcare and native vegetation management, in the Wimmera for over 20 years. Due to family circumstances, she had a career change into Accounting and is now happily working and living on the Mornington Peninsula. Hayley’s role with ASN Events is a great combination of her background in environmental, work which included event organisation, and finance.

Hayley Malloy
Accounts Officer
Regional Office Hastings

Strengths: Honesty, Judgement, Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence