Events at Vinopolis, London's unique wine attraction, are dazzling affairs and Oxford Brookes graduates are leading the way in ensuring their success.

Vinopolis' Managing Director, Rupert Ellwood, graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 1995 with a BSc in Hotel and Catering Management. He is shaping the future of this dynamic attraction and is supported by Events Sales Manager, Lisa Dardis and Daniel Newsome, Conference and Banqueting Co-ordinator with Seasoned Events-the catering company contracted to Vinopolis. Both Lisa and Daniel are recent graduates of the Business School at Oxford Brookes.

Vinopolis is unique in offering the public a hands on, not to mention 'palates-on' approach to learning about wine in a fun way, through tours, videos, tastings and workshops. The atmospheric venue, built into Victorian railway arches, also offers a dramatic backdrop to upmarket events and it is here where the Brookes graduates are making their mark. The organisation of product launches, lavish gala dinners and art and music events is big business and requires the level of professionalism that Daniel's and Lisa's studies at Brookes have helped them to develop.

Lisa Dardis speaks enthusiastically about her work with clients, helping them to make their dream event become reality: "The most exciting aspect of my work is when people come in with all their ideas for a party and I help them work out how to achieve it. We had 500 people for a two day conference recently and a huge party at the end and the best thing was the email and conversations the next day when everyone said how amazing it was."

Lisa, who studied Marketing and Hospitality Management, says that Oxford Brookes gave her the confidence she needs for this role. 'The brilliant thing about Brookes is how they tap into your strengths; the hospitality department really gets behind you and there's a great support system. They really pulled out all the positives in me. I think the main thing I learned was confidence," she said.

Daniel agrees with Lisa that his degree studies at Oxford Brookes have been crucial to his career success. "My course gave me a fast track in many different areas: human resources, finance, how to improve revenue - things it would take you years to learn in the field," he said.

Daniel has enjoyed putting this knowledge into practice at Vinopolis. He loves the diversity of his job and the scope it gives for his creativity. "The venue is modern and bespoke and we are always looking for creative ideas for how we can develop and be that little bit different," he said.

Although this is Daniel's first job since leaving university, he was no stranger to large scale event management at Oxford Brookes. As president of the Bacchus Society, he was responsible for organising the student ball and other events, while his work experience, which the University helped him to arrange, at the five star Goring Hotel in London also stood him in good stead in the career stakes.

Oxford Brookes' reputation in the field of hospitality is something about which both Daniel and Lisa speak warmly. "In an interview situation, Brookes is a highly respectable name to drop", commented Lisa and Daniel added: "Since I have been in the field, I only have to mention Brookes in conversation and they'll say 'wow'. They know that for hospitality that's the top of the tree."

Managing Director of Vinopolis and Oxford Brookes graduate Rupert Ellwood did not get where he is today by playing it safe. Rupert’s last job prior to running the famous London wine attraction was as Head for Events and Catering at the Natural History Museum in London, where he set about challenging its somewhat staid image. He blew the cobwebs away by staging parties, rock concerts and a F1 car launch among the dinosaurs. A BAFTA TV awards after show party and a launch party for the DVD of 20th Century Fox's Night at the Museum, hosted by Ricky Gervais, were just two of the events which brought the venue to life, while increasing the museum's net profit by 24 per cent.

Risk was not, however, on the menu earlier in Rupert's career, when he was Deputy Head of Catering at the House of Lords. Special events he organised there included a dinner to celebrate HM the Queen's Golden Wedding and a reception for her Golden Jubilee.

Rupert, who says he always tries to exceed client expectations when delivering events, believes his studies at Oxford Brookes have had an influence on his career. "Oxford Brookes always encouraged us to work to the highest standards while not being afraid of thinking outside the box."