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A collection of collaborative,
creative and curious minds.

In everything we do we are committed to growing the art of Australian hospitality and helping everyone to have a good time. As a full service agency, we work with you to tailor the holistic experience from vision and design, to construction, service, and after party.

Never one to think small,  we are…

01

Architects of Experience

Known for our imagination and ingenuity, we lead with unique ideas and find creative ways to make them possible. From singular moments to major events we think big picture about hospitality and never shy from the complexity of crafting the ultimate experience.

02

Masters of High Touch Hospitality

When it comes to working together, we are hand in glove. We pride ourselves on the close relationships we maintain with our clients – knowing them, their families, and businesses with reverence and respect. We are regarded as trusted partners that deliver every detail to the letter.

03

Experts in the event economy

We believe that events have the power to transform places and cities, to create more opportunities for people, and to showcase a bigger Australia. We champion the creativity and flare of modern Australian hospitality, and work with the country’s biggest events and venues to lead the industry forward.

04

Champions of a good time

We never lose sight of fun as it is the flame of a great party. Our joie de vivre is incendiary, and we ensure that every single person on our team and in your entourage is alive with excitement and joy.

From start to finish, we deliver…

Experts in the event economy, we partner with Australia’s largest festivals to continuously reimagine the hospitality experience.

We believe B2B doesn’t mean business to boring. We transform corporate events into remarkable branded experiences.

Local and international events including weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, bar mitzvah, and every milestone in between.

Our Team

Founded and privately owned by Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh, The Big Group brings to the table over 1200 staff entertaining more than 100,000 guests per year.

EXPERTS

The gold standard of industry expertise with a lifetime’s experience under their belt. Our leaders are your answers to unlocking complex problems and pioneering new business ideas.

CREATIVE TEAM

Full-service professionals, our design team takes on every scale of project to shape, build, and amplify experiences at the cutting edge of global creativity.

CHEFS

Masters of the art of Australian hospitality, our chefs are champions of exquisite produce – creating bright, bold, and multicultural menus at the forefront of sustainability and flavour.

OPERATIONS

The delivery experts who grease the wheels of complex events to create seamless experiences. Our operations team are the definition of doers – on the ground, everyday, with a total commitment to the task.

MAJOR EVENTS  

As the event industry grows in scale and expectation, we have developed a team of leading large scale experience designers to create world first hospitality at our biggest national moments.

RETAIL TEAM

We work with leading brands to explore new market opportunities that embed their products and services within temporary spaces. Our brand activation team embodies your values to re-create your signatures.

SALES TEAM

From first enquiry to after party, our event concierges will help you to articulate your vision, refine your brief, and take you through your event journey.

EVENT MANAGERS

Our event managers are enthusiastic, detail-focused, and skilled problem-solvers, turning challenges into successful, memorable experiences.

FOOD + BOOZE  

Our team excels in amazing food, cool drinks, and cheeky cocktails, guaranteeing efficient and timely delivery for all our events.

FRONT OF HOUSE  

Our Front of House team can exceed expectations, delivering bespoke, memorable hospitality that leaves a lasting impression.

FINANCE TEAM  

Check Please! Keeping all of our suppliers fed and watered is key to a seamless event that runs on time and on budget. That’s where our finance team shines.

Our History

Founded and privately owned by Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh, The Big Group now employs over 1200 staff entertaining more than 100,000 guests per year.

1990

BIG and Small Catering and Events Co., founded by Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh, started in family spaces with Yellow Pages ads, offering corporate boardroom lunches.

1996

Now The Big Group, the company lands its first corporate catering contract with Palmer & Co. and starts at The Old Treasury Building.

2000

The Big Group moves to Cubitt Street, Cremorne, establishing new offices, a central kitchen, and dispatch, paving the way for expansion.

2004

Champions at Federation Square, The Big Group’s inaugural custom-built venue for 350 guests, opens.

2010

Capital Kitchen at Chadstone opens, redefining shopping centre dining for 450 guests, as The Big Group manages food services for major corporate offices.

2013

The Big Group enters the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, introducing retail and an event space.

2015

The Glasshouse, a contemporary event space with a capacity for 1000 guests, opens its doors in the historic Melbourne Olympic Park precinct.

2024

The Big Group debuts in New South Wales, unveiling ILUMINA, a 1000-guest event space in the CBD.

Today
1992

Provencale, their first retail food store, opened on Malvern Road, bringing South of France flavours to Toorak, coinciding with Bruce and Chyka’s wedding.

1998

Flowers Decoration & Design, spearheaded by Chyka Keebaugh, launches as The Big Group’s key arm for wedding and corporate event styling.The Big Group moves to Cubitt Street, Cremorne, establishing new offices, a central kitchen, and dispatch, paving the way for expansion.

2002

The Big Group establishes The Design Depot to focus on event hire and brand activation.

2008

Luminare, a luxurious penthouse venue with a sky deck in South Melbourne, starts its operations.

2012

The Big Group reopens the iconic Art Deco Myer Mural Hall.

2016

The Big Group goes global, staging events in Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Buenos Aires, India, Vietnam, and Europe.

2020

Amid COVID-19, The Big Group launched The Commons Collective, indoor/outdoor venues with performance spaces, gardens, and Bar Moubray, accommodating 1,200.

1990

BIG and Small Catering and Events Co., founded by Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh, started in family spaces with Yellow Pages ads, offering corporate boardroom lunches.

1992

Provencale, their first retail food store, opened on Malvern Road, bringing South of France flavours to Toorak, coinciding with Bruce and Chyka’s wedding.

1996

Now The Big Group, the company lands its first corporate catering contract with Palmer & Co. and starts at The Old Treasury Building.

1998

Flowers Decoration & Design, spearheaded by Chyka Keebaugh, launches as The Big Group’s key arm for wedding and corporate event styling.The Big Group moves to Cubitt Street, Cremorne, establishing new offices, a central kitchen, and dispatch, paving the way for expansion.

2000

The Big Group moves to Cubitt Street, Cremorne, establishing new offices, a central kitchen, and dispatch, paving the way for expansion.

2002

The Big Group establishes The Design Depot to focus on event hire and brand activation.

2004

Champions at Federation Square, The Big Group’s inaugural custom-built venue for 350 guests, opens.

2008

Luminare, a luxurious penthouse venue with a sky deck in South Melbourne, starts its operations.

2010

Capital Kitchen at Chadstone opens, redefining shopping centre dining for 450 guests, as The Big Group manages food services for major corporate offices.

2012

The Big Group reopens the iconic Art Deco Myer Mural Hall.

2013

The Big Group enters the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, introducing retail and an event space.

2016

The Big Group goes global, staging events in Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Buenos Aires, India, Vietnam, and Europe.

2015

The Glasshouse, a contemporary event space with a capacity for 1000 guests, opens its doors in the historic Melbourne Olympic Park precinct.

2020

Amid COVID-19, The Big Group launched The Commons Collective, indoor/outdoor venues with performance spaces, gardens, and Bar Moubray, accommodating 1,200.

2024

The Big Group debuts in New South Wales, unveiling ILUMINA, a 1000-guest event space in the CBD.