Getting to know Paisley Ross

Meet Paisley Ross. Currently the Events & Functions Coordinator at Sydney Restaurant Group, Paisley manages events in some of Sydney’s most beautiful venues. With a degree in Criminology, you can be assured attention to detail is one of her strong points! She loves a G&T and will happily get on the dance floor, and although she is a Brit who still loves Marmite we are happy to call her one of ours. Join us as we get to know another fabulous Event Pro, Paisley Ross…

Give us a snap shot of your career to date

After graduating with a degree in Criminology, my career began in London working as an Executive Assistant for a female managing partner in a high end real estate company. This provided me with excellent client facing skills and taught me a great deal in terms of organisation and being able to multi-task.
When I moved to Sydney I knew I wanted to work for an events company and I knew I wanted to be working across multiple venues which are iconic to this city. I have been with Sydney Restaurant Group for two and a half years starting out as a Marketing and Events Assistant but quickly progressed to Event Coordination. I now spend my day to day life organising wedding receptions, meeting corporate clients and selling private functions at a variety of venues across Sydney.

What is the most memorable event you have worked on and why?

I have had the honour to assist organising our Spring Series breakfast events for the past three years.
Over the last 10 years Sydney Restaurant Group has worked with Cancer Council NSW to host a series of annual breakfast events across a number of our waterfront venues. The business owner Bill Drakopoulos generously donates everything for the breakfast events and 100% of the ticket sales and money raised goes towards Cancer Council NSW. In total, these events have raised over $700,000 for Cancer Council NSW. The events have been a huge success and I am proud to be a part of them.

What did you ‘learn the hard way’ when planning an event?

Don’t assume or guess to cut corners. Always ask if you don’t know the answers, and don’t be embarrassed to speak up if you need help.

What are three personality traits that you think are required to succeed in the events industry?

Attention to detail
Patience
Sense of humour

If you could share one piece of advice to those starting out in the industry what would it be?

Take opportunities when they arise even if this means a step back or sideways as in the long run it will help you go further. Be conscientious and treat everyone the way you would want to be treated, sometimes it’s who you know not what you know. Also being adaptable and able to think on your feet.

What song always gets you on the dance floor?

Any song…after three glasses of wine!

Favourite type of food?

Marmite (I’m British!) No one has managed to convert me to Vegemite yet.

Describe yourself in two words?

Approachable
Systematic

Words to live by?

Live in the present and don’t sweat the small stuff

Where do you go for creative inspiration?

I love using Pinterest, I can spend hours and hours scrolling

When entertaining at home what do you cook?

I don’t. I’m usually taking care of the table styling and keeping the glasses topped up!

What do you prefer, cocktail party or sit-down dinner?

Cocktail party as I prefer being able to mingle with guests as well as trying ALL the canapes! We recently introduced a range of grazing stations at our venues and these are my current obsession for this style of event!

What’s your drink of choice at an event?

Gin & tonic

Favourite party theme?

One where you can style the venue, but also match the food and drink in line with the theme. I hosted a Murder Mystery dinner party at home for my 19th birthday and it was so much fun, everyone got into character, played the game and the one I bought was set in France so we had French onion soup and Beouf Bourginon, with a lot of red wine!

Best event styling tip?

Less is more with quality over quantity

Why do you love your job?

I love being part of a small team, with colleagues I can genuinely call my friends. Being part of a passionate and growing group of venues, I am proud to be associated with such stunning venues in Sydney and I love being able to recommend restaurants to friends and family, especially when they are visiting from the UK.

If you weren’t working in events what would you do?

Travel the world!