The theme for VMA’s 2015 Asia Pacific Venue Industry Congress is: ‘It’s All About Them: Engaging Our Fans, Patrons and Delegates’. The Congress is being held at Adelaide Convention Centre (pictured) this May, 17-19.
Venue Management Association Asia Pacific (VMA) Chief Executive, Steve Romer, commented:
Following a record breaking 2014 Congress, this year’s Congress will share new and exciting ways to better engage our customers. Customer satisfaction is driven by the venue experiences we deliver to our patrons.
He added:
The 2015 Congress will challenge traditional thinking around how venue professionals deliver customer experiences and strive for audience engagement. It’s been 15 years since we’ve been to Adelaide, and we’re very excited that this year’s destination will play an important role in bringing together the single largest gathering of venue professionals in our region.
Highlights of this year’s Congress include presentations on International Events and the Importance of World-Class Venues; Motivating Workforces to Deliver Great Service; Technology and the Law; Social Media for Mass Gatherings; Wi-Fi Infrastructure Investment; Race Tracks as Event Venues; Quality Access Experiences for Disabled Patrons; Engagement of Sports Fans; Town Halls (Arenas/Stadia, Conventions/Exhibitions, Performing Arts); Overview of Adelaide’s Major Venue Infrastructure Developments; Convention & Exhibition Sector Case Studies; The Changing Face of Australia’s Security and Threat Levels; Live Music Promoter Panel; Trends & Issues in Performing Arts Venues; the Latest Food & Beverage Trends; Performing Arts Overview; and much, much more!
The gathering of world-class speakers includes:
John Frost – MD, Gordon Frost Associates
Richard Andersen – MD, Lighthouse Management
Michael Brown – CEO, AFC Asian Cup
Paul Sergeant – CEO, Etihad Stadium
Daryl Kerry – CEO, ANZ Stadium
Andrew Daniels – CEO, Adelaide Oval
Douglas Gautier – CEO, Adelaide Festival Centre
David Whimpey – CEO, Brisbane Racing Club
Brenton Wilkinson – CEO, South Australian Jockey Club
Andrew Travis – CEO, Gold Coast Suns
Gavin Taylor – CEO, Domain Stadium
Raelene Castle – CEO, Sydney Bulldogs
Malu Barrios – General Manager, Sydney Exhibition Centre at Glebe Island
Milton O’Brien – General Manager, Pirtek Stadium
Guy Ngata – General Manager, Allphones Arena
Graeme Kearns – General Manager, Capitol and Lyric Theatres Sydney
Michael Harrison – Frontier Touring
Roger Field – Live Nation Australia and New Zealand
Matthew Lazarus-Hall – Chugg Entertainment
Tim McGregor – Dainty Group
Tim Worton – AEG Ogden
Meg Walker – Melbourne & Olympic Parks
Geoff Hanrahan – Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
Leighton Wood – Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
John Glenn – Adelaide Festival Centre
Russell Fakira – Melbourne & Olympic Parks
Katarina Carroll – Commissioner, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
Craig Sheridan – Superintendent, Commander State Planning Unit NSW Police Force
Mick Keelty – Former Commissioner Australian Federal Police
Amelia Lynch – Landers and Rogers
Gwen Keel – Tompkins Wake Lawyers
Marty With – Present Company
Jonathon Barouch – Local Measure
Melissa Appleby – Allphones Arena
Don Elford – AEG Ogden
Brett Saville – Broadcast Media
Anthony Duffy – Venue Industry Professionals
Rebecca Barry – Sydney Showgrounds
Katherine Norman – Arts Centre Melbourne
Mike Smith – Adelaide Convention Centre
Sally Arch – Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Whitney Fitzimmons – ABC TV Presenter
Richard Wilkins – Entertainment Editor for the Nine Network and Today.
Simon Darcy – University of Technology, Sydney
For more information on the VMA Congress, please visit: www.vmacongress.com
