Audra Vasiliauskiene
Senior Event Planning Specialist at vextra UAB
With 14 years of hands-on experience, Audra transforms corporate visions into unforgettable events across Šiauliai and beyond. Her expertise spans venue selection, catering partnerships, and creative decoration strategies that turn spaces into meaningful experiences.
Questions About Her Expertise
We sat down with Audra to discuss what makes her approach to event planning different, and what she's learned from organizing over 400 successful events.
How did you get into event planning?
Honestly, it happened by accident. I was studying Event Management at Kaunas University of Technology and volunteered to organize a university conference with about 200 people. The event went really well, and I got hooked. After graduation in 2010, I spent five years at the Šiauliai Convention Bureau building relationships with local caterers, decorators, and venue owners. That foundation gave me the connections and knowledge I needed to work independently. Now I combine that operational experience with creative vision—it's the perfect mix.
What's your philosophy when planning a corporate event?
Every event is unique, and I don't believe in templates. When a client comes to me, I ask a lot of questions—not just about logistics, but about the story they want to tell. Are they celebrating a milestone? Building team connection? Impressing international partners? Once I understand the goal, everything else falls into place. Venue, catering, decoration—it all serves that purpose. I've learned that the best events feel personal and intentional, not generic.
What's the biggest mistake people make when planning events?
They try to do too much without a clear timeline. I've seen clients add decoration ideas, change the menu, or rearrange the venue layout a week before the event—and it always creates stress. That's why I emphasize planning early and creating a realistic timeline. Once you've got the core structure locked down, adjustments are easier. I always tell clients: the more you plan in advance, the smoother things run on the day itself. Details matter, but they matter less than having a solid foundation.
How do you stay current with decoration trends?
I travel to other cities for major events, follow design blogs, and stay connected with my decorator network. But honestly? I'm skeptical of trends that don't fit the venue or the client's style. I've seen beautiful, timeless events that ignored the "trend" and looked perfect five years later. That said, I'm always learning. Color palettes shift, new materials become available, and clients have new ideas. The key is balancing what's fresh with what's actually appropriate for the space and occasion.
What's the most rewarding part of your work?
Seeing people connect. I've coordinated corporate conferences where business partnerships formed. I've decorated venues for milestone celebrations where families felt truly celebrated. I've coordinated catering for events where guests still talk about the food months later. That's what drives me—knowing that the event I planned created a memory for someone. It's not just about logistics or decoration. It's about creating the conditions for meaningful moments to happen.
Education & Credentials
Audra's qualifications span formal education, industry certifications, and real-world experience coordinating high-impact events.
Event Management Diploma
Kaunas University of Technology
2010
Specialized in corporate event planning and venue management with focus on regional events across Lithuania.
Convention Bureau Experience
Šiauliai Convention Bureau
2010–2015
Five years managing regional events, building partnerships with local vendors, and coordinating multi-day corporate conferences.
Professional Memberships
Lithuanian Event Planners Association
2012–Present
Active member focused on event planning best practices, networking, and continuing professional development in the events industry.
Independent Consulting
Self-Employed
2015–2019
Established independent event planning practice coordinating complex corporate events for major Lithuanian companies and international clients.
Current Position
Vextra UAB
2019–Present
Senior Event Planning Specialist combining operational expertise with content strategy to help businesses understand event planning nuances.
Key Expertise Areas
Specializations
Ongoing
Corporate event coordination, venue selection and decoration, catering partnership management, timeline development, and client communication strategies.
What Drives Her Work
Personalization Over Templates
Audra believes each event tells a unique story. Rather than applying a standard formula, she invests time understanding what makes each client's vision distinctive. Whether it's a product launch celebrating innovation or a milestone dinner honoring team loyalty, the approach changes. She doesn't believe in cookie-cutter solutions—every detail should serve the event's purpose.
The Power of Planning
Good events don't happen by accident. They're built on solid timelines, clear communication, and thoughtful coordination. Audra's process starts months in advance—not because she's rigid, but because good planning creates space for creativity. When the logistics are solid, you can focus on making the experience memorable instead of scrambling to solve problems.
Building Real Relationships
Her 14 years in Šiauliai have given her deep relationships with caterers, decorators, and venue owners. She doesn't just work with vendors—she knows them, understands their strengths, and trusts their expertise. That network means clients get the best partners for their specific needs, not just whoever's available. It's the difference between a generic event and one that feels genuinely thoughtful.
Creating Moments That Matter
At the end of the day, Audra's work is about enabling meaningful moments. A conference where business relationships form. A celebration where a family feels truly honored. A corporate dinner where guests remember the thoughtfulness for years. That's what drives her—knowing that her planning created the conditions for something memorable to happen. The logistics matter because they serve that bigger purpose.
Integrity First
Honest communication with clients about what's realistic, what works, and what doesn't.
Attention to Detail
Small details create big impacts. She tracks everything and catches issues before they become problems.
Collaboration
Events aren't solo projects. She works closely with clients, vendors, and her team to achieve shared goals.
Creative Problem-Solving
Every event presents unique challenges. She doesn't just follow plans—she adapts and innovates.
Key Milestones
From her first university conference to leading complex corporate events, here's how Audra's career has evolved.
Graduated & Started at Convention Bureau
Completed Event Management diploma at Kaunas University of Technology and joined Šiauliai Convention Bureau to build foundational experience in regional event coordination.
Professional Association Membership
Joined Lithuanian Event Planners Association to stay connected with industry peers and continue professional development in event planning practices.
Established Independent Practice
Left Convention Bureau after five years to launch her own event planning consulting business, leveraging established vendor relationships and 200+ events coordinated.
Joined vextra UAB
Brought operational expertise to vextra UAB as Senior Event Planning Specialist, combining event coordination with content strategy and business insights.
400+ Events Coordinated
Milestone reached: Over 400 successful events coordinated throughout her career, ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale corporate conferences with international attendance.
Practical Event Planning Insights
Audra shares her expertise through articles that help event planners and corporate clients understand the nuances of creating successful events.
Setting the Perfect Table for Formal Events
Learn how proper table setup, placement of cutlery, glassware positioning, and napkin folding techniques create a formal dining experience that impresses guests.
Creating a Timeline That Actually Works
A realistic event timeline prevents last-minute stress. Discover how to structure planning phases, set milestones, and communicate deadlines effectively with your team.
Decoration Styles That Match Your Venue
Different venues demand different approaches to decoration. Explore how to select decoration styles that complement your space rather than clash with it.
Coordinating Catering Without the Stress
Catering coordination involves vendor selection, menu planning, dietary accommodations, and timing. Learn the systems that keep this piece running smoothly.