Damien Ryan
Senior Project Manager
Over 15 years experience in the major event and live entertainment sector, with roles including project manager, operations manager as well as crewing and logistics. Damien has been project lead on a wide variety of projects with SoldOut, ranging from major sporting and cultural events to local brand activations. In 2022, Damien curated the entertainment program for the 8-day Winter Festival at Darling Harbour, involving live bands, DJs, MCs and roaming entertainment — attracting an audience of over 150,000 people. Skilled in Event Planning, Entertainment Curation, Stage Management, Leadership, and Project Planning.
Professional Bio (Survey)
15+ years of turning big ideas into even bigger events — and somehow keeping everything on time and on budget. From concept to curtain call, I thrive on bringing order to chaos. I’ve worked on the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, and Darling Harbour Winter Festival, among many others. I’m known for calm leadership, quick thinking, and a genuine ability to solve problems before most people realise they exist. In short: I make complex events look easy. And I enjoy every minute of it.
The 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Having worked across major sporting events for over a decade, the prospect of delivering something of that magnitude right here at home — in a city I know — would be the ultimate challenge. The scale, the global audience, the legacy it leaves behind. That’s the one.
The Flower Thrower by Banksy. There’s something about the tension in it — aggression transformed into something beautiful — that I find compelling. It also feels surprisingly relevant to event production. You’re always working with chaos and trying to make something that lands well.
Today’s answer is Bloc Party. Ask me again tomorrow and it might be different — but right now, Bloc Party.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup venue branding program. The complexity of coordinating a consistent brand identity across multiple stadiums and host cities, at tournament pace, under genuine international scrutiny — that was a serious test of everything I know. Getting it right felt significant.
