ADDING THE EXTRA TO ORDINARY

Thoughtfully crafted experiences with that extra edge

BRINGING PEOPLE, PROJECTS & POSSIBILITY TOGETHER

Potluck is a projects and events studio that exists to elevate events and experiences.

We love thinking outside the box — creating unexpectedly good combinations that bring people, projects and possibilities together to deliver meaningful, memorable gatherings and experiences. We aim to add that extra five percent of magic by gently pushing the boundaries of what’s expected, with a bit of collaborative alchemy along the way. We pride ourselves on out-of-the-box thinking and crafting multi-sensory activations with slick execution that not only achieve your objectives, but resonate with your audience and build energy, connection and momentum.

We love exploring the what, why and how for organisations and initiatives — sniffing out and uncovering the untapped gold and pearler opportunities just waiting to be activated.

WE’RE DEDICATED TO PEOPLE, COMMUNITY & COLLABORATION

We believe that the success of projects and events comes from fostering strong relationships and leveraging the diverse ideas and expertise of a wide network. Our work is driven by intentionality, creativity and clear communication. We aim to create space for innovation and ensure every project tells a compelling story.

We love working with local, corporate and community-focused people and groups to bring initiatives to life through intentionality, creating space for innovation and delivering well-executed projects. Whether you're looking to create something new, get a few projects or events off your plate, or simply need some strategic direction and connections, we'd love to bring our fresh take to the table.

OUR SERVICES

From high-level planning and engagement through to the nitty-gritty of event logistics, we’re here to shape outcomes that don’t just meet expectations - they exceed them. And we make sure the ride along the way is just as good as the result.

Whether you’re planning a small gathering, gala dinner, conference or large-scale event in the Bay of Plenty, Potluck offers tailored concierge support to make the entire experience seamless from start to finish. As local experts with trusted industry connections, we can simply point you toward the best suppliers and venues, manage specific aspects of your event, or take care of every detail on your behalf - anything from a little support to full end-to-end coordination. From travel and accommodation bookings to bespoke local itineraries and guest management, we create smooth, memorable experiences for both organisers and attendees
From an evening workshop to gala events and multi-day conferences, we work across a wide range of corporate event sizes and budgets. From developing engagement strategies and managing external stakeholders, to logistics and on-the-day delivery, we’re equipped to handle all aspects of your event. We provide practical advice, reliable service partners, and stress-free execution so you can focus on enjoying the occasion while we handle the details
We create space for deep thinking and bold possibilities - asking the right questions, exploring out-of-the-box solutions, and uncovering opportunities others may overlook. Guided by the “why,” our approach blends local insights, critical thinking and creativity to develop strategies that are thoughtful, inventive, and aligned with purpose. From big-picture visioning to the smallest practical details, we can help shape ideas into impactful, achievable outcomes.
Working alongside our partners, we can craft on-brand copy and design assets that engage your audience and prompt meaningful action, through smart strategy and a blend of traditional and digital media.

WHAT WE BRING TO THE TABLE

We’re creative, resourceful, and love a juicy challenge. With a vision for impact and a knack for spotting untapped potential we love turning ambition into action, taking big ideas and making them a reality. We’re all about elevating events and experiences, finding the gold in the grit and thinking outside the box to challenge convention. We work smart, stay organised, and lead with initiative - always bringing positive energy and a good laugh to break down barriers and get better outcomes!
We’re all about building genuine, lasting partnerships—with clients, funders, communities, and collaborators. We’re good at navigating diverse perspectives, we love connecting people, facilitating collaboration, and amplifying impact through strong engagement and trust. Our greatest resource is people. And when the right people (and their ideas and perspectives) are combined, untapped potential bursts forth and the magic happens! We love connecting the dots—between projects and the people who can help bring them to life—creating environments where collaboration thrives.
From the spark of an idea to full delivery, we have 20+ years of experience leading, coordinating, and supporting project journeys from strategy to activation and evaluation. We ensure smooth workflows, clear timelines, and purposeful outcomes—whether working in-house or alongside external teams.
From corporate conferences to community activations, we bring events to life—from concept to clean-up. Whether it’s securing partners, sourcing resources, or running the show on the day, we’ve got the skills and experience to create memorable and meaningful experiences that run like clockwork.

ABOUT US

We are Be Barnes and Helly Parsons - a Tauranga-based duo with a deep love of community, our city, and doing fun and meaningful things that take things from ordinary to extraordinary! We’re in our element when connecting people and ideas, collaborating to dream up and deliver distinctive projects and events.

With over 20 years experience in managing diverse projects and events, we’ve both had the privilege of collaborating with a mixed bag of people and organisations—both locally and internationally—to move ideas and projects into meaningful experiences and events.

We’ve led the development and delivery of forward-thinking initiatives, overseen the end-to-end planning and execution of standout awards and conference events and fostered strong relationships with suppliers and key stakeholders both nationally and internationally.

We bring both a global perspective and a local commitment to every project we take on. Over the past 5 years, we have had the privilege of working with some of the Bay of Plenty’s leading organisations, bringing people together through impactful events, and innovative initiatives.

Our work has spanned industries and continents, but no matter the role, we continue to be driven by a commitment to collaborative, innovative approaches, and elevated experiences.

We’re passionate about connecting people and sharing powerful stories and insights through events and experiences, building strong, thriving communities and ecosystems. We see so much untapped potential bubbling away and we’re SO KEEN to make some magic with you!