How we work
One lead. A whole collective of brilliance.
At Sweet Mango, we keep things seamless on the surface — and strategically custom-built underneath.
We’re not a traditional agency with a fixed in-house team. We’re a curated collective, led by seasoned project manager and event director Rebecca Smith, who handpicks the perfect team for every project.
That means you get:
One point of contact from brief to bump-out.
A bespoke team tailored to your needs and budget.
The confidence of working with top-tier suppliers — all trusted, aligned and managed under one roof.
You deal with us. We deal with the rest.
Our process
1. We Listen First
Every great event starts with a great brief. We ask the right questions, identify the goals and dig deep into what will make the moment meaningful, memorable and on-brand.
2. We Curate the Team
We assemble your dream team from our community of collaborators — designers, builders, marketing leads, stylists, fabricators, AV pros, content creators, signage experts, guest experience specialists and more.
3. We Lead Every Step
You have one consistent lead managing timelines, suppliers, budgets and communications. We run the meetings. We keep the momentum so you can stay focused on your role.
4. We Deliver the Magic
From the first site visit to the final applause, we’re on the ground making sure your event feels effortless — for you and everyone attending.
Why it works
This hybrid model gives you the best of all worlds:
Strategic leadership with creative flair
Custom-built teams for every project
Streamlined communication with one lead
Flexible scale and cost-effectiveness
Polished, professional delivery with warmth and care
Whether you’re planning a conference, internal milestone, brand activation or a launch with impact — this is how events should feel. We have some of the most passionate, skilled and talented people in the industry, each bringing a unique background and area of expertise in planning, producing and managing events.
Rebecca Smith - Founder and Director
Sweet Mango
Rebecca Smith is the creative lead and founder of Sweet Mango, a full-service event and activations agency known for delivering high-impact, brand-building experiences with warmth, clarity and care.
With over 20 years of experience across both government and private sectors, Rebecca has built a reputation for making ambitious ideas feel seamless. She’s led major event programs for organisations like Jobs Victoria, WorkSafe Victoria, Consumer Affairs, and the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority— managing everything from conferences and community activations to media launches, brand activations and stakeholder engagements.
Before founding Sweet Mango, Rebecca held senior roles in government, including seven years as Events and Sponsorship Manager for the Department of Infrastructure/Transport. Her grounding in public sector work sharpened her project management skills and taught her how to navigate tight timelines, shifting priorities and complex stakeholder environments — all without losing sight of the big picture.
But it was the pressure behind the scenes — the juggling, the expectations, the invisible load — that inspired her to create something different. Sweet Mango was born from Rebecca’s desire to offer more than just beautiful events. She wanted to create a service that felt like a true extension of her clients’ teams: collaborative, strategic, and supportive.
Today, Rebecca leads a passionate, solutions-focused team delivering thoughtful, end-to-end event execution. From concept to completion, she brings a calm, creative presence to every project — helping clients feel confident, in control and proud of the results.
Whether it’s launching a product, building brand awareness, or celebrating a milestone, Rebecca’s approach is grounded in care and connection — because the best events don’t just impress; they resonate.
Lisa Hook - Events Coordinator
Sweet Mango
Lisa Hook is an integral part of the Sweet Mango team, bringing over a decade of diverse experience in event coordination, administration, and executive support. With a calm, grounded presence and an eye for detail, Lisa helps ensure every event runs smoothly behind the scenes — keeping timelines on track, logistics in order and teams well supported.
Before joining Sweet Mango, Lisa worked as Executive Assistant to the Managing Director at Ctrack Australia, where she was responsible for managing high-level administration, coordinating national and international conferences and keeping complex schedules humming. Her background also includes roles in office management and customer service, giving her a well-rounded skill set that blends operational precision with genuine warmth.
Lisa has been with Sweet Mango for over eight years and is known for her steady, solutions-focused approach — a true safe pair of hands in fast-paced environments.
She supports all aspects of project delivery, from managing staffing and logistics to maintaining project timelines and coordinating team efforts.
Whether she’s liaising with suppliers, supporting the events team, or making sure no detail is overlooked, Lisa brings a quiet confidence and dependable energy to every event — helping bring Sweet Mango’s signature sense of calm and care to life.
Francene (Fran) Collings - Creative Director, OU Design
Graphic Designer, Sweet Mango Collective
Fran is a senior graphic designer, creative director and co-founder of OU Design.
She brings with her 25+ years of design experience, including a background of print production, working for boutique studios, advertising agencies, design freelancing and has held design and brand management positions in both state and local governments.
Fran is the main contact for OU Design and can be relied upon to clearly communicate and help articulate the needs and expectations of clients. After many years of managing and designing successful brands, her strengths lie in critical thinking, deadline management, decisive design strategy, organizational skills, analytical skills and creative problem-solving. These qualities are key to the creation, development and management of any project.
Samantha (Sam) Kahl - Creative Director, OU Design
Graphic Designer, Sweet Mango Collective
Sam is a senior graphic designer, creative director and co-founder of OU Design.
Her design career spans 23+ years in the design industry, including a grounding in fine art and illustration. She has worked for boutique studios, advertising agencies and within state government.
Evidenced by the design of many strong brands, Sam’s strengths lie in critical thinking, creative problem-solving, visual representation of ideas, understanding client’s artistic preferences and producing high-end graphic solutions. These qualities lead to successful, creative and appropriate solutions for our client’s projects.
Lucy Bade – Founder & Creative Director, Studio Blooms
Floral Styling Partner, Sweet Mango CollectiveLucy Bade is the creative force behind Studio Blooms, a boutique floral studio based in Bayside, Melbourne — and Sweet Mango’s trusted partner for floral styling that feels effortless, elevated and deeply connected to nature.
With over 20 years of experience designing for weddings, events and corporate spaces, Lucy brings a rare combination of creativity, precision and deep respect for the natural world to every project. Her work is inspired by the seasons, celebrating the unique beauty, colour and texture of each bloom with an emphasis on locally grown, high-quality flowers.
Lucy’s style is elegant yet grounded, with an unwavering focus on craftsmanship, minimal waste, and the kind of thoughtful detail that turns floral arrangements into unforgettable experiences. From simple, heartfelt bouquets to large-scale event installations, she designs with both artistry and intention — always letting the natural beauty of each stem lead the way.
At Sweet Mango, Lucy is our go-to collaborator for floral styling that feels fresh, authentic and deeply aligned to each brand’s story. She works closely with local growers and suppliers to ensure every creation is as sustainable as it is spectacular.
Whether she’s crafting a statement installation or an intimate floral moment, Lucy brings a warm, collaborative spirit and a meticulous eye for detail — finding beauty and inspiration in every project, big or small.
Victor Ip – Founder & Director, Event Equipment
AV Partner & Technical Lead, Sweet Mango Collective
With over 27 years’ experience in technical production and project management, Victor Ip is the calm, strategic force behind some of Australia’s most complex and high-profile public events. He’s also the Founder and Director of Event Equipment — a full-service AV company trusted by Sweet Mango for its seamless delivery, rock-solid reliability and collaborative, no-fuss approach.
Victor has led Event Equipment since 2008, growing it from a boutique startup into a national leader in audio, lighting, vision and large-scale event logistics. His team has delivered major event infrastructure for everything from corporate launches to the largest IT trade show in the Southern Hemisphere — always with an eye for detail, safety and the end-user experience.
Victor is hands-on, highly strategic and refreshingly easy to work with. He understands the pressure brand and comms leads are under — and knows how to take the weight off their shoulders by anticipating needs before they arise.
Whether he’s overseeing an activation build or managing complex AV timelines, Victor brings calm leadership, a deep understanding of WH&S, and a genuine partnership mindset to every project. He doesn’t just “do AV” — he helps bring creative concepts to life, seamlessly and safely.
Stephen Smith – CEO, Event Equipment
Senior Leadership & Client Strategy Partner, Sweet Mango Collective
Stephen Smith brings a wealth of senior leadership and live event expertise to the Sweet Mango Collective through his role as CEO of Event Equipment — one of Australia’s trusted names in technical production and end-to-end event delivery.
With decades of experience leading major AV and event management projects, Stephen’s career has spanned high-budget arena shows, complex corporate activations and global brand experiences. As a former General Manager of a leading creative events agency, he’s overseen teams delivering for some of the world’s most recognisable brands — always balancing creativity, logistics and stakeholder management with calm precision.
Today, Stephen’s focus is empowering Event Equipment’s technical teams to deliver extraordinary live experiences — while maintaining the leadership, structure and supplier relationships that keep even the most complex events running smoothly. His ability to engage confidently with C-level executives, manage multi-layered projects and navigate government and corporate procurement processes makes him an invaluable strategic partner.
Stephen supports the seamless behind-the-scenes delivery that our clients count on — ensuring that what feels effortless onsite is backed by solid planning, experienced leadership and an unwavering focus on quality.
