The Venue Management Association, the peak body for venue industry professionals in Australia, New Zealand and Asia Pacific region, is delighted to advise members and the industry of the results of the 2019 Board Election.
Having received nominations from 8 venue industry professionals, and seeing just shy of 40% of the VMA membership casting their vote, we welcome 3 new Directors to the Board and congratulate 1 returning Director.
The new Directors who will commence their 3 year term on 26th May 2019 at the VMA’s AGM include:
Brendan Hines
Current General Manager of Spark Arena, New Zealand’s largest and busiest Indoor Arena, Brendan has been involved in the events and venues industry for close to 25 years.
An Accountant by trade holding a BComm in Accounting & Economics and as a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA), he has been a member of the Venue Management Association since 2005. Brendan has previously served on the 2018 VMA Congress Committee and attended the IAVM Executive Symposium at Cornell University.
Paul Sergeant
As the current Director of Special Projects with AEG Odgen, Paul is a 38 year veteran in the venue industry having held numerous senior roles in both the UK and Australia including CEO roles with Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane and Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
In 2015 Paul became an instructor at the Venue Management School, sat on the Congress Organising Committee for the 2019 Congress and has been a member of the Venue Management Association since 2011.
Natalie Valentine
In her current role, as Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust, Natalie is responsible for overseeing the strategic and business operations of the Trust. Previously she held roles as Precinct and Australian Open Manager at Melbourne & Olympic Parks and working with the State Government of Victoria to establish the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust, for the purpose of operating and managing GMHBA Stadium.
Natalie brings with her over 19 years’ experience in the sports industry, and over half of that time managing key sports venues, working on several significant stadium redevelopments, and leading the procurement and management of national and international events.
Natalie has been a member of the Venue Management Association since 2014.
Returning for his second term on the VMA Board we welcome back:
Leighton Wood
As Chief Operating Officer at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for over eight years Leighton and have been a member of the Venue Management Association since 2014.
As a VMA Director for the past three years Leighton is currently Chair of the Professional Development Committee and has lectured at the VMA Leadership Institute.
VMA President Steve Harper said “On behalf of the members I take this opportunity to welcome our newly elected Directors onto the Board and note that the engagement of our members around this election was extremely pleasing with close to 40% voting.”
Adding “At the upcoming AGM on 26th May I will take pleasure in introducing our new Directors and also recognising and acknowledging the outgoing Directors, Helen Glengarry, John Glenn and Jason Hill, who all generously donated their time, passion and commitment to the VMA over their terms”.