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Humans of Applejack: The Events Managers

We sat down for a chat with our Applejack Hospitality Events Team

Introducing the amazing Managers behind all things events at Applejack.

Meet Vadawn Buhler from RAFI URBNSURF, Sam Devonport from RAFI North Sydney & The Botanist Kirribilli, Sarah Cheney from Forrester’s Surry Hills & SoCal Neutral Bay, Jane Hacquoil from Bopp & Tone, Roxy Anderson from The Butler Potts Point and Achilleas Symeonidis from Taphouse Darlinghurst.

We are so excited to showcase our Event teams as we approach the busy end of year period! From Melbourne Cup, corporate events, social gatherings, and even Weddings, our Events team is in charge of leading events at their respective venues.

Keep reading to discover more about their experience, why Applejack and events at each of their respective venues.

Let’s Chat…

Vadawn Buhler - RAFI URBNSURF

Events Experience: “I’ve worked in Events for over 20 years! OMG! I joined Applejack in March 2019 as Events Manager for both Bopp & Tone and The Butler, I took a short break in 2021 to have my daughter and returned to a group role in Base Camp in 2022. Most recently I have joined the leadership team at Applejack URBNSURF heading up the Sales and Events team of our most exciting new venues”!

Events At Your Venue: “RAFI URBNSURF offers several incredible events spaces in our sprawling venue. From work celebrations and hens parties to corporate meetings, we do it all. Our venue is perfect for life’s milestones—baptisms, christenings, birthdays, and weddings. We even host recovery brunches. Whatever the occasion, we’re here to make it memorable”.

Why Applejack: “Applejack is always looking for innovative new ways to wow our guests and make every visit memorable, events are at the forefront of this and we get to collaborate on so many exciting elements of what we offer. The teams passion, positivity and can do attitude makes it hard to not love your job!”

Find out more about RAFI URBSURF Events >

Connect with Vadawn on LinkedIn >

Sam Devonport - RAFI North Sydney & The Botanist Kirribilli

Events Experience: “I’ve been working in events my whole life! I started as a waiter that could barely carry three plates for member events at a golf club on Sydney’s Northern Beaches when I was 16. From that day I fell in love with events and I’ve been at it since (for the last 14 years)!
I’ve managed all styles of events from large scale and intimate weddings, to nightclubs, fine dining, large scale music festivals, travelling theatre shows and corporate hospitality, you name it I’ve been behind the scenes orchestrating it making sure the event runs flawlessly!
I joined the Applejack family in 2022 and was lucky enough to be part of the opening team of RAFI North Sydney, RAFI has been my baby since day one. I know what it takes to make your event the event of your dreams. Since the start of 2024, I’ve joined the team at The Botanist Kirribilli looking after their events alongside RAFI”.

Events At Your Venues: “From the start RAFI North Sydney has always been about having fun, it is the perfect venue for long lunches in the sun in The Arbour, cocktail parties on the terrace, Chef’s Table experiences in our Chef’s Kitchen. With capacity for cocktail events up to 300 people we’re all about the fun times.

If you’re looking for something a little more intimate, The Botanist Kirribilli is the venue for you, nestled in the jacaranda lined streets of Kirribilli with capacity for up to 70 guests seated or 90 standing, it has provided the cozy vibes with great food for the last 12 years.”

Why Applejack: “I’ve loved Applejack before I even started working for them, I’d been to The Butler more times than I could count before I started and have even celebrated my birthday there, so when the opportunity came up to work with Applejack it was no brainer! Applejack provides an inclusive working environment that fosters and encourages creativity. We call it the Applejack Family and it truly feels like one.”

Find out more about RAFI North Sydney Events >

Find out more about Botanist Events >

Connect with Sam on LinkedIn >

Sarah Cheney - Forrester's Surry Hills & SoCal Neutral Bay

Events Experience: “I began my journey in hospitality while still in high school, gaining experience in everything from casual, family-run ice cream and burger shops to high-end Mexican restaurants in downtown Chicago. In late 2019, after a two-year stint as a tax professional in New York City, I decided to return to my true passion and moved to Australia to reignite my hospitality career. I joined the Applejack team as Forrester’s Events Manager in November 2022, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to watch the events program flourish. As of June 2024, I’ve also taken on the responsibility of overseeing events at SoCal in Neutral Bay, which has been an exciting new challenge!”

Events At Your Venues: “Forrester’s is a fantastic venue for all types of events, offering unmatched flexibility in our spaces. The upstairs area is ideal for large birthday parties and corporate team-building activities like trivia or bingo, thanks to its excellent AV capabilities and private setting. Phylli’s offers a range of spaces perfect for hens’ lunches, baby showers, and casual birthday celebrations. The entire Phylli’s area can even be booked as one expansive party space! With its stylish decor and abundant natural light, Phylli’s is especially great for daytime events like engagement parties and post-wedding recoveries”.

SoCal’s Terrace is the go-to outdoor space for hens’ lunches, birthday dinners, or larger celebrations. Meanwhile, the Main Dining Room comfortably accommodates large group lunches or dinners, with seating for up to 60 guests at long banquet-style tables.”

Why Applejack: “Applejack is renowned in the industry for its commitment to fostering a positive culture, encouraging growth among employees, and delivering exceptional products and service. Joining the Applejack team was an easy decision, and my experience here has been nothing short of incredible! My colleagues have become like family and I’ve constantly felt supported in my goals and rewarded for my accomplishments.”

Find out more about Forrester’s Events >

Find out more about SoCal Neutral Bay Events >

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn >

Jane Hacquoil - Bopp & Tone

Events Experience: “I had previously worked in restaurant/venue management roles before beginning my position in events at Bopp and Tone, just over 2 years ago. Applejack has helped me progress within this role and allowed me many opportunities to expand my network and skill set.”

Events At Your Venue: “Bopp and Tone is a stunning venue located in the heart of the CBD. We predominantly accommodate corporate events through the week and social events over the weekend. With spaces available to accommodate cocktail events, private dining and full venue exclusive events, we can cater to almost anything.”

Why Applejack: “Applejack is a company that encourages and supports both personal and professional growth. I am lucky enough to work with a great team of hard working hospitality professionals, in a position that allows me to have an ‘office job’ lifestyle and still be involved in madness of hospitality, which I love!”

Find out more about Bopp & Tone Events >

Connect with Jane on Linkedin >

Roxy Anderson - The Butler Potts Point

Events Experience: “When I was younger my dad used to take me to the newsagent on a Sunday to get the papers and I would beg him to buy me bridal magazines, that’s when I knew I wanted to work in events and plan weddings. I’ve worked in events for about 12 years, eight of those dedicated to weddings which is where my heart lies but I was ready for a change and that’s when I came to Applejack. I have looked after events at The Butler, Potts Point for almost 4 years now and offers me an array of different event types to manage.”

Events At Your Venue: “The Butler is a unique venue space, heavily dressed in a lush green and neutral décor, perfect for breakfast & lunch events. At night when the sun sets the space transforms into an intimate setting. We have both inside and outside spaces. Our beautiful outdoor Terrace has spectacular views of the city skyline and can accommodate both seated and cocktail style events. The Main section of the inside dining room seats up to 50 in a semi-private setting – perfect for networking dinners or long social lunches. The full venue can be booked for exclusive use, the adjoining glass doors can all be opened to create a free flow affect between both spaces. Whether you’re hosting a chic cocktail party, product launch, or social corporate event, The Butler provides an unforgettable backdrop that elevates every occasion.”

Why Applejack: “Applejack is like a big family, everyone works together and supports each other, outside of my day-to-day work there are many opportunities the company allows me to indulge in my creative side and work on special events and projects.”

Find out more about Butler Events >

Achilleas Symeonidis - Taphouse Darlinghurst

Events Experience: “My journey in events began in Greece in 2009, where I had the opportunity to plan and manage performing arts events. In 2011, I moved to London and transitioned into hospitality, focusing on operations and event management across a variety of venues. My experience ranged from coordinating live music nights, to intimate private functions. After moving to Sydney in 2020, I joined the Applejack family, working at venues like Boop & Tone and RAFI in North Sydney. Last year, I became part of the Taphouse team as an Events Manager”.

Events At Your Venue: “The success of Taphouse events lies in the versatility of our spaces. As a heritage building spread over three levels, Taphouse offers a range of unique spaces perfect for any occasion. We have carefully preserved the historic charm while introducing the distinctive Applejack touch throughout. Whether it’s an intimate private dinner on Level 1 or an exclusive Rooftop party, we are here to look after you”.

Why Applejack: “From day 1 one thing was clear to me about Applejack, everyone is truly welcome—guests and staff alike. I have been welcomed and supported by the Applejack team every step of the way”.

Find out more about Taphouse Events >

Connect with Achilleas on Linkedin >

Catch our Events Managers in their venues organising and running events. Get in touch to book in your next magical event with Applejack!

Explore career opportunities to work with our Events team or at our other venues across Sydney.