Getting to know Lauren Goydych

Meet Lauren Goydych. Currently the Events Manager at Roundhouse, Lauren has spent the last seven years organising everything from conferences and concerts to toga parties and zombie nerf gun wars. She describes herself as energetic and loud with a passion for music and will bend over backwards for her clients and team. Join us as we get to know another brilliant Event Pro, Lauren Goydych…

Give us a snap shot of your career to date.

I started in my events journey in 2012, where I worked mostly corporate events and the one-off wedding. In 2016, I started working at Arc@UNSW (the organisation that runs the Roundhouse) where I was the Events and Activities Coordinator. As the student organisation at UNSW, we ran all the fun events like zombie nerf gun wars, parties, band comps, night markets, silent discos and gigs for students. Throughout this period, the Roundhouse was undergoing renovations, so we built two pop-up venues on campus – I was the licensee of the bar and helped build it from the ground up. We had a shipping container as a bar, and our furniture was made out of recycled timbers, pallets and milk crates! It was crazy! During this time I was involved with the re-development plans of the Roundhouse. Re-launching the venue in February 2018 has been my most rewarding and stressful experience so far.

In 2018 I was promoted to Events Manager where I took on more corporate clients and commercial concerts (my pride and joy!)

The most memorable event you have worked on and why?

Our official re-opening event was headlined by San Cisco and this was by far the most rewarding event to be a part of. We had a VIP event at the gig where we saw our whole team, promoters, clients, builders and friends come together to celebrate having the venue back. It was truly one of those “guys we did it” moments and it still gets me today!

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

Never say that an event will be easy. It will more than likely come back to bite you! Always plan for the unexpected. And then plan some more.

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

Confidence is key when dealing with anyone in the events industry. From clients, to patrons, to staff, if you aren’t confident in what you are presenting and organising you will have nothing but trouble.

Flexiblity – be ready to bend over backwards, physically and metaphorically. Going out of your way to help your clients is always going to pay off. But I believe that team work makes the dream work and putting your hand up to learn how to rig that PA or make that cocktail to help your team always pays off. It also helps decrease stress amongst your team and build working relationships!

Have an eye for detail! Learn to pick up on the small things and build on those. I’m a stickler for making things perfect and that one tiny detail IS important!

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

Be confident in what you want in your workplace. As an event organiser you spend the majority of your time at work. If you aren’t loving what you’re doing you are probably in the wrong job!

What song always gets you on the dance floor?

Horses by Daryl Braithwaite

How would your friends describe your job?

Time consuming and stressful

Describe yourself in two words?

Energetic and loud

How do you unwind after a big event?

After a late night finish our team always has a beer in our leafy beer garden to discuss the night! It’s so good to hear how everyone else’s night went from our production, events and bar team.

Words to live by?

We aren’t saving lives

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

Cocktail party

What is your ideal holiday destination?

Italy

What’s your drink of choice at an event?

Shiraz

Favourite party theme?

Toga

It’s event day – heels or flats?

Flats for sure!

What is the craziest request you have ever had when planning an event?

Boiled eggs for an artists rider was pretty out there!

Why do you love your job?

I love music, always have always will. Putting on gigs for people and seeing how happy they are walking out always gets me through the day!

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

I would probably try my hand at paramedics or law enforcement. I love to help people!