CORNERSTONE IS A PREMIER
EVENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY

specialising in corporate and incentive events

EXPLORE OUR SERVICES

A formidable team with an

Impressive record of event experience

Cornerstone Events opened its doors more than 16 years ago and has experienced continued growth, delivering exceptional results for clients across Australia and New Zealand.

A long‑term industry professional, Karen Sainsbury is the Managing Director of Cornerstone Events and brings a wealth of experience across conferences, incentives, and special events. Karen works across Cornerstone’s three office locations – Sydney, Brisbane, and New Zealand, ensuring strong leadership, consistency, and a hands‑on approach for clients in every region.

With an impressive track record and a reputation for excellence, Cornerstone Events is the ideal partner for delivering seamless and impactful conference, incentive, and special event experiences, locally and globally.

Highly Accredited

Well affiliated

Cornerstone Events are current members of the nationally recognised industry body, Professional Conference Organisers Association, and are accredited as a Certified Event Management Company by the PCO Association. Our Managing Director and Co-Founder Karen Sainsbury, is an accreditation holder and is additionally one of the national councillors of the PCO Association. Additionally, Cornerstone Events is accredited with IATA, holding Travel Industry Designator Service (TIDS) certification.

We’re serious about delivering exceptional events and creating long term connections with our clients. We are a well-travelled team with a wealth of first-hand experience, and strong industry relationships. Our team will make a difference to your event, we approach each client with a unique fervour and provide you with one on one service all the way through.

The team who will work with you to deliver your events are mature, experienced and driven to achieve your objectives.

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Karen Sainsbury

Karen Sainsbury

Co-Founder and Managing Director

Karen is the heart and soul of Cornerstone Events. Her journey into hospitality quickly became a calling, culminating in the co-founding of Cornerstone Events in 2010. Driven by a vision to create meaningful, memorable experiences, Karen’s commitment to excellence shines through in her meticulous attention to detail and her unwavering dedication to delivering on every promise.

A true industry stalwart, Karen brings decades of experience, boundless passion, and a deeply personal touch to everything she does. Her ability to understand clients and craft experiences that exceed expectations has become a hallmark of the business.

As a Certified Meeting Professional and NSW Councillor on the PCOA Board, Karen is not only a leader within Cornerstone Events but also a respected voice across the conference and events industry. Her influence continues to shape standards and inspire peers nationwide.

Beyond work, Karen’s love for travel and wine-tasting adventures with her partner Kevin reflect her zest for life and curiosity about the world. Today, she remains at the helm of Cornerstone Events as Managing Director, guiding the team with wisdom, warmth, and an unshakeable belief in the power of connection.

Danielle Fitzsimmons

Danielle Fitzsimmons

Event Operations Manager

Danielle is a powerhouse in the event industry and the heartbeat of our event management team. With unmatched precision, a deep commitment to excellence, and a memory that borders on legendary, she ensures every detail is accounted for - often before anyone else has even thought of it. Her ability to anticipate needs and solve problems on the fly makes her an indispensable force behind our most successful events.

Outside of work, Danielle thrives in a bustling household filled with energy and love - three sporty kids, two cats, four guinea pigs, and a trio of cheeky chickens keep her on her toes. When she finds a quiet moment, she channels her creativity into baking, whipping up treats that are as thoughtful and delightful as the events she helps bring to life.

Kylie Warren

Kylie Warren

Office Manager

Kylie has over 15 years event management experience, bringing in a wealth of knowledge and know-how from different aspects of the events industry

She is passionate about our customers and their events. Her attention to detail along with her drive to implement best practice processes and solutions across the business ensures our high standard for excellence.

When not working she wrangles 3 kids, a dog, a cat & 3 chickens with her husband south of Sydney by the beach.

Sally Butson

Sally Butson

Event Manager

Sally is an accomplished industry professional with over a decade of experience managing projects and programs in the professional services and events industries. She is passionate about achieving excellence for her clients, with a drive to deliver events to budget, to deadlines, and above expectations.

With her genuine, calm and caring nature, Sally is a critical thinker and quiet achiever. Sally has a love for travel and foodie experiences the world over, but home is Sydney’s Inner West with her beloved husband and cat, Occy.

Rachel O’Reilly

Rachel O’Reilly

Event Manager

Rachel’s inquisitive nature and her knack for thinking outside the box always brings new ideas to our clients’ events and destinations. With a Bachelor of Business in Tourism Management and over 16 years of industry experience, she has managed events in 5-star hotels worldwide, along with an accomplished career within the travel industry.

As an experienced & passionate event manager with outstanding operational knowledge, Rachel enjoys working closely with our clients to efficiently and effectively deliver on all aspects of the event brief. With a natural flair for the creative side of things, she ensures that your event will be executed with precision & personality.

Based on the beautiful Far North Coast of NSW, Rachel enjoys spending her downtime with her young family, exploring the outdoors, and sampling the latest local hotspots with friends.

Melissa Best

Melissa Best

Event Manager

Melissa is a passionate an experienced event professional with a focus on delivering outstanding and memorable events for her clients. She holds a Bachelor of Business in Convention and Event Management and has 13 years of experience within the industry, working in 5-star hotels, resorts and for Professional Conference Organisations.

Working mainly with the corporate government and association market sectors, her event experience expands to corporate events, product launches, weddings, gala dinners and social events.

Based in a stunning part of the country which borders NSW and QLD, Melissa enjoys weekend adventures and trips away with her young family, ocean swims and a vino or two with friends.

Leah Ingles

Leah Ingles

Event Manager

Leah brings over 15 years of expertise in event management across the not-for-profit, government, and association sectors to our team. Her passion for crafting exceptional events, combined with an MBA, fuels her strategic approach, outstanding problem-solving abilities, and creative vision. Dedicated to client satisfaction, Leah thrives on the joy of transforming event concepts into reality.

Based on the picturesque Surf Coast just outside Melbourne, Leah and her two sons can often be found savouring the stunning beaches and spending quality time with family and friends.

Kym Peeler

Kym Peeler

Event Manager

Kym is a creative and collaborative event manager who specialises in crafting unforgettable experiences that reflect a company’s brand ethos. With over 15 years in hospitality and 6 years in event management, she combines professionalism with a down-to-earth approach. Passionate about customer experience, Kym loves to engage with clients to bring their visions to life.

When she’s not planning her next adventure, you’ll find her on the sunny Gold Coast, enjoying beach days with friends and her dogs, or soaking up live music and the arts. Kym believes every event should be as vibrant and unique as the people behind it!

Bianca Hall

Bianca Hall

Event Manager

Bianca brings 20 years’ experience delivering exceptional events, brand activations and strategic partnerships across agency and client-side roles. With a background spanning event management, PR and marketing, she’s known for creating experiences that feel effortless, considered and beautifully executed.

Across her career, she has led a diverse portfolio including large-scale summits and awards programs, premium corporate events, major retail activations, media partnerships and high-profile live events.

Based on the beach on the NSW Central Coast, Bianca is a proud mum to two teenage children and three dogs. Outside of work, she loves travel, dining out, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Lauren O’Regan

Lauren O’Regan

Event Coordinator

Lauren is a positive and self-motivated event professional with 12 years experience working in the media and retail industries. Strategically minded and with a keen eye for detail, Lauren prides herself on being a strong communicator and team player.

Along with her passion for events, Lauren leads an active lifestyle playing basketball and bushwalking with her energetic boxer dog Billy. She enjoys nothing more than seeking out adventure with trips away exploring and making memories with her family and friends.

Holly Barnett

Holly Barnett

Event Coordinator

Holly began her events career straight out of high school, delivering events and campaigns across the sporting and hospitality industries while completing a Bachelor of Business at the University of Technology Sydney. With nine years’ experience in the industry, she is deeply passionate about creating exceptional experiences for her clients, driven by meticulous attention to detail.

In 2024, Holly was honoured to receive the PCOA Tim Birley Rising Star Award and was also selected as part of the PCMA 20 in Their 20s Class of 2026. She is proud to support and mentor the next generation of event industry professionals as they progress through their careers.

Based in Sydney’s Inner West, Holly enjoys weekends away camping with friends, travelling the world, and anything that involves being on or in the water.

Kristie Howse

Kristie Howse

Accountant

Kristie is a qualified CA, and is responsible for our accounting, bookkeeping and taxation requirements. She has a strong background in corporate accounting, working with companies such as EY and Ricoh. Kristie enjoys leading an active lifestyle on Sydney’s Northern Beaches with her three children.

Joanne Geary

Joanne Geary

GTM Travel

Jo has over 25 years of experience booking corporate, group and leisure travel. She is highly experienced in all areas of travel booking management and is invaluable to her clients when seeking the best way forward for their corporate or private travel plans. Jo’s downtime is spent travelling Australia and abroad, or on a winding road with her Husband on their his and hers Harley Davidsons.