Digital Series

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Keeping the industry informed with all the latest topics and talking points.

2024 Digital Series: The International Editions

Disruption: Is Technology a Friend or Foe to Our Industry?

Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking session with Steve Mackenzie, CVE, from Momentus Technologies, VMA’s innovation partner. Steve will delve into the complex topic of technological disruption and its impact on our industry. Alongside our esteemed guest speaker Dwane Goodman, COO, Gema Group, he will explore whether technology is ultimately a friend or foe to the sector. The discussion will cover the benefits, challenges, and transformative effects of technological a

Digital Series: FIFA: Behind the Scenes of Venue Preparedness & Insights

Discover the intricate preparations behind hosting the FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023. In this digital series, we’ll explore the challenges, strategies, and innovations essential for ensuring venue readiness and delivering a flawless tournament experience for players, fans, and organisers.

Join our esteemed panel of speakers, featuring Michelle Morris, Principal & Director, MI Global, Rob Nelson CEO, MI Global Partners, Nick Saunter CVE, CEO of Eden Park, and Kate Alexander, Head of Major Events, Mopt. Together, they’ll share invaluable insights, discuss challenges, and unveil strategies for orchestrating the Women’s World Cup Soccer.

2023 Digital Series: The International Editions

The Super Bowl Experience

Andy Gorchov, General Manager, State Farm Stadium, Arizona – the stadium of the 2023 Super Bowl LVII chats with Eray Saban, Director of TIAA Bank Field, Florida about the logistics and experiences of holding the Super Bowl at his venue.

Weather Events and Climate Emergencies – Who is Responsible?

Join Nick Sautner CVE, Chief Executive Officer at The Eden Park Trust, Stuart Greaves, Principal at Marsh Advisory, and Daniel Ross, Lead Senior Project Manager for Eden Park at Beca Consulting, as they explore the recent weather events affecting live entertainment, including the approach and relevant cancellation clause in regards to who is responsible for deciding if an event proceeds.

2022 Digital Series

Catering in 2022

Ian Love, the Catering Manager at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre and guests, Dwane Goodman, COO of Gema Group and Chris Bigelow, Founder & Owner, The Bigelow Companies, Inc. (US) and VMS US Instructor look at the innovations being adopted in catering within the venue management industry.

Celebrating the Women of our Industry: Break the Bias

Rebecca Barry AVM GAICD CPAHRI, Director, People and Culture for ASM Global Asia Pacific, Jane Fernandez, the Chief Operating Officer Australia at FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia New Zealand 2023 and Helen Fairclough, Chief Operating Officer of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre explore the role bias plays in our workplaces and how the discussion prompted by International Women’s Day leads to a broader conversation around diversity.

Cultural Inclusivity at Venues and Events

This New Zealand led panel discuss the state of play around cultural engagement in the industry across Australia and New Zealand. This session offers insights and tips for those looking to advance their own cultural engagement with examples from both New Zealand and Australia where cultural inclusivity has enhanced a venue, event, artist and indigenous relationships.

Staples Centre to Crypto.com Arena: A chat with Lee Zeidman

Eray Saban, Manager, Event Operations at Kai Tak Sports Park chats with Lee Zeidman, the President of Crypto.com Arena/Microsoft Theatre/LA Live on the challenges of managing a large precinct, the passing of key iconic figures such as Kobe Bryant and Nipsey Hussle and the effect that had on the sports and entertainment community, and what the industry may look like in the future.

Risky Business: Why Effective Risk Management Is Critical for Venues

Effective risk management is critical to operating a successful venue. In conversation with Wayne Middleton, Steve Mackenzie will discuss the importance of continuously improving standards, driving efficiency, and setting benchmarks for managing risks at events.

The Value of Mentoring

Rebecca Barry AVM GAICD CPAHRI, Director, People and Culture at ASM Global Asia Pacific in conversation with Megan O’Reilly, Director of People and Culture, Melbourne & Olympic Parks and Casey Price, Head of the Suncorp Super Netball and Events, Netball Australia as they discuss the value of mentoring in the venue management industry, explore the benefits to both mentors and mentees and the positive impact it can have on the strength of the industry.

VMS 2022 and LI Q&A and Information Session

This episode provides an opportunity to gain on understanding on the immersive week long Venue Management School and Leadership Institute programs from the VMS Chair, Dean Hassall CVE, LI Dean, Andrew Travis AVM and Zan Lewarn, VMA Education Manager.

Improving Sustainability Performance of Venues and Events

Ann Duffy presents this session on Improving Sustainability Performance of Venues and Events and how to create positive impact; integrate services with local communities and linked sustainability programs and initiatives; emerging trends – globally and locally; and ISO 20121 Certification – the role and impact this has on attracting audiences and events.

An Introduction to the Green Touring Toolkit

Michael Roberts, Associate Security Consultant for Arup presents  this episode of the VMA Digital Series – An Introduction to the Green Touring Toolkit.

Corporate Social Responsibility in the Venue Management Industry

Dwane Goodman, Chief Operating Officer at Gema Group chats with industry experts as they discuss Corporate Social Responsibility and how this can be incorporated in the venue management industry.

Cultural Inclusivity at Venues and Events

This New Zealand led panel discuss the state of play around cultural engagement in the industry across Australia and New Zealand. This session offers insights and tips for those looking to advance their own cultural engagement with examples from both New Zealand and Australia where cultural inclusivity has enhanced a venue, event, artist and indigenous relationships.

Staples Centre to Crypto.com Arena: A chat with Lee Zeidman

Eray Saban, Manager, Event Operations at Kai Tak Sports Park chats with Lee Zeidman, the President of Crypto.com Arena/Microsoft Theatre/LA Live on the challenges of managing a large precinct, the passing of key iconic figures such as Kobe Bryant and Nipsey Hussle and the effect that had on the sports and entertainment community, and what the industry may look like in the future.

Risky Business: Why Effective Risk Management Is Critical for Venues

Effective risk management is critical to operating a successful venue. In conversation with Wayne Middleton, Steve Mackenzie will discuss the importance of continuously improving standards, driving efficiency, and setting benchmarks for managing risks at events.

The Value of Mentoring

Rebecca Barry AVM GAICD CPAHRI, Director, People and Culture at ASM Global Asia Pacific in conversation with Megan O’Reilly, Director of People and Culture, Melbourne & Olympic Parks and Casey Price, Head of the Suncorp Super Netball and Events, Netball Australia as they discuss the value of mentoring in the venue management industry, explore the benefits to both mentors and mentees and the positive impact it can have on the strength of the industry.

VMS 2022 and LI Q&A and Information Session

This episode provides an opportunity to gain on understanding on the immersive week long Venue Management School and Leadership Institute programs from the VMS Chair, Dean Hassall CVE, LI Dean, Andrew Travis AVM and Zan Lewarn, VMA Education Manager.

Improving Sustainability Performance of Venues and Events

Ann Duffy presents this session on Improving Sustainability Performance of Venues and Events and how to create positive impact; integrate services with local communities and linked sustainability programs and initiatives; emerging trends – globally and locally; and ISO 20121 Certification – the role and impact this has on attracting audiences and events.

An Introduction to the Green Touring Toolkit

Michael Roberts, Associate Security Consultant for Arup presents  this episode of the VMA Digital Series – An Introduction to the Green Touring Toolkit.

Corporate Social Responsibility in the Venue Management Industry

Dwane Goodman, Chief Operating Officer at Gema Group chats with industry experts as they discuss Corporate Social Responsibility and how this can be incorporated in the venue management industry.

2021 Digital Series

Marketing Your Venue

Featuring Phil King AVM, General Manager of the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and Coopers Stadium and David Ray, Country Manager, Australia at Reddit, as they discuss how marketing is applied to the day-to-day operations of venues.

Changing Technology Requirements

Featuring Steve Mackenzie, Executive Vice President at Ungerboeck and Manish Chandak, President and CEO of Ungerboeck, as they talk about the changing technology requirements of the venue management industry and the modifications venues have had to face due to COVID19.

Contracts and Business Law

Featuring Adam Lister, Group General Counsel for ASM Global (Asia Pacific) and Sam Constance, General Manager of Memberships and Legal for VenuesLive as they discuss how venues have adapted regarding contract and business law over the last 18 months.

From Lockdown to Lights On – North America in Focus

Wayne Middleton talks with special guests Russ Simons, Managing Partner & Chief Listening Officer with the US based Venue Solutions Group and Meg Walker, GM of Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, about the current status of the North American industry, their recovery and reopening from COVID and what this can mean for our industry down under.

From Lockdown to Lights On – Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium

ASM Global’s Paul Sergeant talks with with special guest Jon Babbs, Stadium Director at EPL Club’s, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, about the return of 62,000 fans to full house EPL games and the implementation of the COVID-Pass.

From Lockdown to Lights On – Conventions & Exhibitions Open for Business

Featuring Helen Fairclough, the Chief Operating Officer at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, and special guests Frank Poe, Executive Director at the Georgia World Congress Center Authority with Brad Mayne CVE, President and CEO of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) as they explore the reopening of the convention and exhibition market.

From Lockdown to Lights On – Addressing the industry wide skills shortage

Anthony Duffy AVM, the Managing Director of VIPeople addresses the industry-wide skills shortage as our industry reopens with Sarah Derry, Senior Vice President Talent & Culture Pacific at Accor, Richard Andersen CFE, Chief Illuminations Officer at Venues Solutions Group, and Taryn Evans, the Head of People Experience at Melbourne & Olympic Parks.

Let’s talk about our Mental Health

Join us for episode 1 in season 2 of the VMA Digital Series. Join radio host, TV personality, and mental health champion Gus Worland as we talk about mental health. As founder and Chairman of the Gotcha4Life Foundation Gus have made it his mission to tackle mental health in our communities and the alarming rate of suicide. Gus will be interviewed by Phil King AVM, VMA Board member, VMS Instructor and Gotcha4Life mate.

Challenging Racism

Todd Greenberg, former Chief Executive Officer of the National Rugby League (NRL), Dean Widders, an Anaiwan Indigenous Australian former professional rugby league footballer, Bruce Djite, Director of Football, Adelaide United and former A-League player, and Rana Hussain, Diversity and Inclusion Leader discuss how racism can effect everyone and anyone that enters our venues – from the talent that performs, our patrons and staff.

Green Shoots Appearing for our Industry

Featuring Tim Worton, Group Director of Arenas for ASM Global (Asia Pacific), Brock Gilmour, Chief Executive of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW and Mark Zundans, General Manager of The Gabba as they discuss the lessons learnt from the recent success of the sporting codes, the historic AFL grand final in Brisbane, and what some of our major events will look like into next year.

2020 Digital Series

Showcasing Our Industry In Times Of Adversity

Featuring Phil King AVM, General Manager – Adelaide Entertainment Centre & Coopers Stadium and Brendan Hines, General Manager – Spark Arena discussing opportunity in adversity – finding the opportunities that exist through re-purposing and knowing what is the right decision when presented.

People & Culture – Immediate Challenges & Working from Home

HR specialists Becc Barry, Venues Live and Amanda Wilson, MCEC explore how we are responding to the multitude of challenges COVID-19 is throwing at venues and their workforce.

The Effects of COVID19 on the Entertainment Industry

Featuring Entertainment Editor of the Nine Network and industry legend, Richard Wilkins AM, alongside Dr. David Heslop, Associate Professor and researcher at UNSW, with lTim Worton from ASM Global leading this discussion on the effects of COVID-19 on the entertainment industry

Relationship Management – Venue and Supplier Perspective

Panellists Anthony Duffy from staffing specialists – VIPeople, Tara Filder the GM at Secure Assets and Events, and industry stalwart Rod Pilbeam, COO at ASM Global explore how the pandemic has placed the traditional venue/supplier relationship under enormous pressure. 

Leadership – The Big Picture of Crisis Management

Industry leaders Andrew Travis, Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Kim Bedier, Tacoma Venues and Todd Greenberg share their stories on leading teams during challenging times.

Business Readiness – Reopening & Recovery

Featuring Helen Fairclough, the Director of Business Relaunch at MCEC, Heather Clarke, Head of Event Operations and Planning at the Sydney Opera House and Mark Zundans CVE, the General Manager at The Gabba explore how our venues are gearing up for reopening and recovery.

Introducing the Live Entertainment Industry Forum

The VMA Digital Series introduces the Live Entertainment Industry Forum recently launched to build confidence in our industry’s preparedness to return from the COVID-19 crisis. Featuring VMA President, Steve Harper CVE, LEIF, Chair James Sutherland, Venues Live Managing Director, Daryl Kerry and Glen Rainsbury CVE, Director of Venue Strategy, Frontier Touring.

Global Wrap

Featuring our VMS Chair, Wayne Middleton CVE, with Tammy Koolbeck CVE, Chair of the IAVM (North America), Mark Cochrane, Regional Manager Asia Pacific for UFI (Asia) and EVANZ (NZ) Chair, Keith Parker, as we take a final look at how COVID-19 has impacted our industry and the lessons learnt.

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