About Us
Visa Wellington On a Plate (VWOAP) is cooked up for you by the Wellington Culinary Events Trust (WCET). The WCET works with Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (WREDA) and Avenues Event Management to deliver the Festival.
The Team
Management
Sarah Meikle
Festival Director - WCET
Sarah loves all things food and wine...she even chooses her holiday destinations based on them. Sarah has been a core lead in the Festival since the start.
Melanie Walker
Project Manager - Avenues Event Management
Melanie's team came on board in 2011 to manage the logistics of Visa WOAP. She has extensive experience in the food, beverage and hospitality fields, and is a bit of a pinot noir expert.
Allie Binaco
Commercial Manager - WCET
Allie manages commercial partnerships across both Visa Wellington On a Plate and Beervana. Allie hails from the Jersey Shore and knows a thing or two about making the perfect pizza.
Leisa Robb
Business Support - WCET
Leisa is camp mother looking after all things finance and administration. She's also an ace on the tennis court and one stylish lady.
Marketing
Jenna Do
Festival Marketing Manager - WREDA
Known to always have room for dessert, Jenna manages the Festival’s marketing and the cook behind the insider’s guide to the festival, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Applications & Logistics | Supplier Logistics
Elizabeth Fesherman & Rebecca Weeks
Event Managers - Avenues Event Management
James Austin & Charlotte Carr
Event Coordinators - Avenues Event Management
Geoff Copps
Sector Development Manager - WREDA
Media and PR
Sophie Speer
PR Manager - SPUTNIK
Megan Duffy
Media Coordinator - WREDA
Governance
WCET
Visa Wellington On a Plate is dedicated to prudent governance and management. The festival is governed under the guidance of the WCET.
The Trust Board comprises: Fran Wilde (Chair), Mike Egan, Paula Jackson, Terry Shubkin, Grant Maxwell, James Bennie, David Perks and Sarah Meikle.
Advisory Board and Curating Committee
The Advisory Board provides the festival team with Dine Wellington and Festival Event selection advice and to act as a "sounding board" for future festival developments and improvements. Meetings are coordinated based on the specific requirements of the festival.