Our team

Lidia Dalton
Founder and Managing Director

With over 30 years of experience in the meetings and events industry, Lidia is the Founder and Managing Director of Expert Events. Known for her ability to create unforgettable events of any scale, Lidia is committed to delivering the best possible experience and outcome for every client. Her reputation in the industry is unparalleled, and her accreditation from the Professional Conference Organisers Association (PCOA) makes her a highly sought-after event professional. When she’s not working, you can find Lidia in the kitchen whipping up a delicious meal or cheering on her son from the sidelines at his soccer matches. 

Michele Zavaglia
Operations Manager

Michele is responsible for overseeing the daily operations at Expert Events and providing clients with strategic business and marketing support. Her extensive experience in marketing, strategic planning, and event management spans over 25 years, backed by her degree in Economics and Marketing. Prior to joining Expert Events, Michele had the privilege of working with renowned companies such as Sony Australia, Flight Centre Travel Group, Albatross Tours and Allianz Partners. She is highly respected for her innovative ideas that bring value to clients and her exceptional ability to handle multiple projects. During her leisure time, Michele loves to explore new places, go hiking, and spend quality time with her family. 

Simone Disborough
Association Manager

Simone is the Executive Officer for one of our esteemed clients and is responsible for all aspects of secretariat management and governance. With over 25 years of management experience and a Master of Business Administration degree, she has an impressive work history having worked for Ansett, Qantas and Tourism Holdings in various management, board and strategic advisory roles. Simone is highly valued for her exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, making her the ultimate professional. Outside of work, Simone enjoys socialising with family and friends, running and travelling to the US and NZ to visit family.

Lisa Bentley
Finance Administrator

As our Finance Administrator, Lisa’s meticulous attention to detail and unwavering accuracy are essential. Her duties involve overseeing the daily accounting transactions and maintaining the financial records of both our clients and Expert Events. Boasting a professional career that spans over 25 years, Lisa has honed her financial, administrative, and clerical skills by working with a diverse range of companies and government organisations. Her expertise is invaluable in providing support to the Expert Events team and our clients. Outside of the Expert Events office, Lisa enjoys various forms of art, reading, travelling, socialising with family and friends, and she is a fanatical soccer fan.

Marko Delinac
Lead Designer and Marketing Coordinator

Marko is the creative force of our team, working closely with our clients to produce exceptional online and offline marketing collateral that is engaging and of the highest quality. He holds degrees in Multimedia and Graphic Design and has worked in a variety of industries. He understands the importance of brand consistency and provides insightful feedback and recommendations. Marko’s innovative and divergent approach, coupled with his attention to detail, makes him an asset to our team and our clients. Outside of work, you will find Marko outdoors on a hike or a mountain bike and spending time with his family.

Vanessa Knight
Event Manager

Vanessa oversees the management of many of our national and international conferences and events and has been working with associations since 2015. With nearly two decades of experience in event management and administration, Vanessa holds a Diploma in the field and has worked in various event roles in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. One of her career highlights was managing a variety of outdoor public events for the Calgary Downtown Association in Canada, including their annual Canada Day celebration, which attracted over 10,000 attendees. Vanessa’s ability to remain calm under pressure, her exceptional work ethic and her keen attention to detail has contributed to her success in delivering highly acclaimed events for our clients. In her free time, Vanessa enjoys going to musicals, online shopping, travelling and spending quality time with her daughter.

Barbara (Barb) Lawless
Event Manager

Barb is passionate about organising events and bringing people together to share ideas. Her dedication plays a crucial role in the success of the events she manages. She holds a degree in Hotel, Tourism and Event Management and has worked with renowned organisations, including rural health agencies and five-star hotels including the Hilton and InterContinental. Barb is known for her exceptional communication skills, attention to detail and enthusiasm, which make our clients’ events unforgettable. When not managing conferences, Barb enjoys running, reading and travelling to new destinations.

Stephanie (Steph) McMahon
Event Manager

Steph is a highly skilled Event Manager with a wealth of experience in events. She first began at Expert Events as an Event Coordinator, before taking a bold step in her career by moving to Europe. Steph spent over three years as an Event Manager for a Copenhagen-based organisation that supports the Nordic start-up ecosystem. The pinnacle of her role was delivering their annual flagship summit, which grew to have an impressive 6,000 attendees. Steph holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of International Hotel and Tourism Management degrees from The University of Queensland. In her free time, she enjoys exploring nature, listening to music and travelling. Her favourite travel destination is Rome. 

Katrina Woods
Event Manager

Katrina is a dedicated and passionate event professional, bringing over 20 years of experience in event planning, management, and operations. Her extensive background includes the successful orchestration of a wide range of events, spanning from intimate gatherings to large-scale international conferences, with delegate numbers ranging from 10 to over 8,000. Having held key positions at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hilton Hotel and Crowne Plaza, Katrina has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence. Her track record is characterised by meticulous planning, efficient execution, and a keen eye for detail. Outside of her professional pursuits, Katrina finds joy in spending time with her family, listening to music and cooking.

Sarah Hargreaves
Program and Association Coordinator

Sarah’s extensive experience coordinating events and working closely with associations makes her an invaluable Program and Association Coordinator. In her role, Sarah works closely with the Event Managers in the development and management of conference programs. She also assists the Association Manager in supporting our association clients with their secretariat requirements. With a Bachelor’s degree in Business, with a major in Event Management and Marketing, Sarah has assisted with the organisation of many successful Expert Events conferences. As a certified user of EventsAir OnAir, Sarah is highly proficient in our event management and membership software and is well-regarded for her meticulous attention to detail and optimistic attitude. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys relaxing with a good book, spending time with family and friends, shopping and camping.

Kelly Raines
Event Coordinator

Kelly works closely with our Event Managers to ensure the successful execution of every event. Her responsibilities include managing event registrations, marketing and communications, sponsorship, accommodation and travel bookings, and other administrative tasks. Kelly holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Griffith University, with a major in Event Management and Marketing. She has experience working on conferences of various sizes and is highly regarded for her exceptional communication skills and meticulous attention to detail. On weekends, Kelly enjoys playing football, socialising with family, and exploring new places 

Georgia O'Keefe
Event Coordinator

Georgia collaborates closely with our Event Managers to ensure the smooth operation of our events. Her duties include overseeing event registrations, coordinating marketing, communications, and sponsorship, handling accommodation and travel bookings, and other administrative tasks. Georgia has a Bachelor’s degree in Business and International Tourism and Hotel Management from Griffith University and has a background in customer service and hospitality. Georgia’s enthusiasm and cheerful disposition make her a valuable member of the Expert Events team. In her free time, she enjoys socialising with friends and family, camping and boxing. Georgia is currently on leave travelling overseas.

Jessica Guild
Association and Event Coordinator

Jess works closely with our Association Manager catering to all aspects of our association secretariat services including membership management and communications and association administration. She also works closely with our Event Managers to assist with the seamless coordination of our events. Jess has a Bachelor of Business degree, majoring in Tourism, Leisure and Event Management, and has diverse experience in customer service, administration, event management and sales. In her free time, Jess enjoys staying active at the gym, photography and travelling to new destinations.

Emalee Stanton
Event Coordinator

As an Event Coordinator, Emalee works closely with our Event Managers to ensure the success of every event. Her responsibilities encompass coordinating event registrations, marketing and communications, arranging accommodation and travel bookings, and overseeing various administrative tasks. With a Bachelor’s degree in Business, specialising in event management and marketing, her previous experience in customer service and hospitality bolsters her ability to provide exceptional service to our clients and attendees. In her free time, Emalee enjoys immersing herself in music, exploring new travel destinations and playing netball.