Dean Hassall CVE, VMS Chair
As Principal of Dean Hassall Consulting Pty Ltd (DHC), Dean applies 25 years of industry experience by leading a boutique consultancy that provides advisory services in the areas of major public venue and events management, facility development, and venue business improvement strategies. Government and corporate venue owners and developers, venue managers and operators, hirers, and service providers to the events and entertainment industry—all of DHC’s clients rely on strategic and operational input based on business management expertise honed within the venue management profession. Dean provides practical advice based on business management expertise honed within the venues profession, with the aim of helping businesses achieve both their commercial and community objectives. Dean has previously held a number of senior management positions in the sport, major venue and event industry in Queensland, including:
- Chief Executive Officer, North Queensland Fury Football Club
- Assistant General Manager, Suncorp Stadium, AEG Ogden
- Manager – Business Development, Sport and Recreation Queensland
- Manager – Venues & Operations, 2001 Goodwill Games Brisbane
- Venue Manager, ANZ Stadium, (now Queensland Sports & Athletics Centre), Nathan, Brisbane
- Venue Manager, The Sleeman Sports Complex, Chandler, Brisbane
Numerous Board and Committee representations have been fulfilled by Dean, including former Vice Chairman of the Brisbane Racing Club, acting as the Queensland Government’s representative on the Board of the Major Sports Facility Authority (now Stadiums Queensland) and a past Director of Queensland Athletics. Dean is a long-term member of the Venue Management Association’s Venue Management School Committee. Dean is a graduate of this school and in 1998 was awarded the Ogden IFC Scholarship as outstanding student. For over 15 years, Dean has been a lecturer at the Venue Management School and has lectured internationally on behalf of the Venue Management School as guest instructor at the IAVM Venue Management School when held in Oglebay, West Virginia, USA on the subject of crowd management. In 2020, Dean was selected as a resident instructor for the IAMV Venue Management School now held annually in Tampa Bay Florida, only the second Australian based industry professional to achieve this honor. In 2010, Dean Hassall was elected to the Venue Management Association Council as the Allied Member Representative and served until May 2017. In May 2011, Dean was announced 2011 VMA Allied Venue Professional of the Year. Educational qualifications include a Bachelor of Human Movement Studies from the University of Queensland, a Graduate Certificate in Management from Queensland University of Technology and a graduate of the VMS Graduate Institute Oglebay USA. Dean has been awarded the CVE, the elite credential of the International Association of Venue Managers; which designates recipient as an expert in venue management (all areas) and wholly dedicated to advancement of the venue industry.
Nelita Byrne AVM
Todd Greenberg
Adam Lister
Wayne Middleton CVE
Wayne Middleton is a risk management consultant and Principal of Reliance Risk. Reliance Risk helps public venues, events, sports and companies in the entertainment industry to manage risk. He has over 30 years’ experience in management and operational roles in the venues and events industries and over 20 years as a risk management professional. He is also a VMS graduate (1996). Wayne holds a Master Degree in Risk Management, a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Diploma in Security Risk Management. He also holds a Certified Venue Executive (CVE) designation awarded by the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM).

Paul Sergeant OBE
Leighton Wood
GLeighton Wood joined the award-winning Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) in November 2010 as Deputy Chief Executive. In February 2012, he was appointed Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive and oversees a team of more than 700 employees across Operations, Food and Beverage, Technology, Planning, Security & Safety, Sustainability and Capital Works while also managing the working relationship with MCEC’s partners, Plenary Group and BGIS. The 90,000 sqm MCEC sits on the edge of Melbourne’s CBD and hosts around 1,500 business, cultural and entertainment events annually and in 2019 attracted over two million visitors and generated in excess of $1 billion in economic impact for the Victorian economy. Leighton is responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the MCEC product and provides high-level strategic advice to the Executive Team and Trust, particularly in the areas of future business planning and ongoing organisational improvement. He is also passionate about sustainability and has driven significant reductions in MCEC’s environmental footprint. He is currently President of the Venue Management Association Asia-Pacific. Prior to MCEC, Leighton was chief executive of Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, Melbourne Major Events Company, Sport Knowledge Australia and the Princess Alexandra Hospital Foundation.
Andrew Travis AVM GAICD, LI Dean
Anthony Duffy AVM
- Taronga Zoo
- Stadiums QLD
- Netball QLD
- West HQ
- Michael Cassel Group/Harry Potter & the Cursed Child
- Disney Theatrical
Anthony is a former lecturer with the University of Technology (holding a Master of Management Degree from that institution) and possesses a Certificate IV in Training and Assessing. In addition, Anthony is a graduate and instructor (21 years) of both the Venue Management School (VMS) and Leadership Institute (LI). Previously, Anthony has served as Chair of the VMS and currently, as the Dean of the LI. In 2010, Anthony was awarded the inaugural “Allied Venue Professional of the Year” by the VMA Council and in 2013 was awarded “Accredited Venue Manager” status by the Venue Management Association. In 2015, Anthony was one of only four Australians to be awarded the coveted IAVM’s “Chairman’s Citation”, recognising his commitment to development of education in the industry, primarily through the establishment of the Australian Leadership Institute. In 2020, Anthony was re-elected to the VMA Board, having previously served as a Board Member for 12 years.
Ian Love AVM
Ian Love has been keenly involved in food and beverage for the past 30 years and has a comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of catering. Ian has worked across four continents and his experiences range from managing a small pub in Edinburgh, banqueting within five-star hotels in the Canadian Rockies to working for SOCOG at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, managing functions for the Bledisloe Cup at Eden Park in Auckland and in-flight catering with QANTAS. For the past 18 years, Ian has been enthusiastically involved in venue management and has worked in a variety of venues ranging from stadiums to arenas. Ian is the current Catering Manager at The Brisbane Entertainment Centre, where he has spent the last 13 years developing a strong service culture that focuses on creating memorable experiences. Ian thrives on building and leading successful teams and is renowned for offering exceptional retail and corporate catering. He has also developed one of the best backstage catering operations in the country. Ian completed a Diploma of Venues and Events through the Venue Management School in 2012 and in 2013 Ian attended the IAVM Graduate Institute at Oglebay. Ian is well recognised as a senior venue management professional and was designated an Accredited Venue Manager (AVM) in 2014.
Steve Mackenzie
Katherine Norman AVM
Gavin Taylor AVM
Mark Zundans CVE
As a professional in the venue industry for over 20 years, Mark has held senior positions at venues around Australia, overseeing a number of major international sporting and entertainment events including all codes of football, cricket, court sports, motor sport, concerts, and festivals. Through his career, Mark has worked with all manner of venues in both private and public sectors, including stadia, arenas, race tracks, and community leisure facilities. Mark has held senior, Executive, and consulting roles with some of Australia’s leading organisations. Mark is currently General Manager at The Gabba. Through a COVID ravaged year in 2020, Mark led The Gabba team to be amongst the first venues to welcome fans back in significant numbers as well as delivering the historic 2020 AFL Grand Final. His experience covers the full gamut of venue management including all operational and event delivery areas, contract management and venue design and development. He is an enthusiastic and dedicated venue professional and brings an interactive approach to his VMS sessions. Mark has been active in the development of the venue industry in local and international markets as a Board Member with VMA for five years as well as being a member of the IAVM Diversification Committee, and a member of the IAVM Certification Board for the past five years. Mark graduated the Venue Management School in 2003, was awarded his AVM in 2013, and achieved his CVE qualification in 2015.
Rebecca Barry AVM GAICD CPAHRI
Helen Fairclough
Phil King AVM
Phil King is the General Manager of the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and Coopers Stadium. His role encompasses the overall managerial responsibility for the operational and commercial aspects of both venues. The Adelaide Entertainment Centre is Adelaide’s best concert and theatre venue. It is the most flexible venue of its type in Australia, boasting an Arena and a standalone Theatre, allowing the team to run concurrent events utilising both venues at the same time. This provides a flexibility of being able to offer appropriate spaces from 500 patrons up to 12,000. Coopers Stadium is home to the Hyundai A-League’s Adelaide United Football Club. The Stadium boasts an immaculate playing surface coupled with an intimate ambience and great viewing. Coopers Stadium is also a fantastic outdoor concert venue. With a capacity of up to 26,000 for concerts, the atmosphere within this boutique Stadium is electric and the sightlines superb for live music fans. Sitting at an Executive Level, his role encompasses team leadership, business development, customer relations management, negotiation of hiring terms, guiding the financial performance of the business to maximise profits and cash flow, marketing of the venues and its services and ensuring a high quality theatre experience. Phil is well recognised as a Senior Venue Management Professional with more than 20 years’ experience across Stadia and Arenas. Prior to Adelaide, Phil was the Director of Live Entertainment at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICCS) from 2016 to 2018. From 2011 to 2015 Phil managed Qudos Bank Arena’s (QBA) commercial revenue generating activities and sponsorship opportunities including corporate sales and memberships, ticketing, business events, merchandising and marketing, with a real emphasis on continually developing ideas to enhance existing revenue streams. Preceding QBA, Phil was part of the senior management team at Suncorp Stadium with key responsibilities for contract and tenant management, event day procurement, corporate sales and event day client management, managing the stadium commercial team on membership sales, corporate hospitality, functions sales, marketing and tours. Suncorp Stadium is Australia’s premier rectangular sporting venue, home to The Brisbane Broncos, Queensland Reds, Brisbane Roar, Queensland State of Origin and Australian Rugby Union. Phil commenced in the venue management industry at Etihad Stadium in 2001 (formerly Colonial Stadium). Phil is an Accredited Venue Manager (AVM), and an alumnus of the inaugural Venue Management School’s Graduate Institute Program.
Sue Max
Donna Price
Donna Price is the General Manager, People and Culture for the Melbourne Cricket Club. Donna has held a range of senior line management and HR management roles with a range of leading companies within the banking and finance sector, and over recent years within the sport and entertainment sector, including the Victoria Racing Club, Melbourne & Olympic Park, Marvel Stadium and the Melbourne Cricket Club.
Donna has held the roles of EGM People & Culture at the Victoria Racing Club, as well as GM People & Culture at Melbourne & Olympic Parks, which is the home of Rod Laver Arena, Hisense Arena, AAMI Park as well as the Australian Open. Since late 2013, Donna has held the position of General Manager, People and Culture at the Melbourne Cricket Club. Donna’s focus in these organisations has centred on the implementation of a range of employee engagement initiatives across multiple workforces, creating and building a high performance, customer focused culture to ensure that each of those organisations continue to be recognised as leading sports and entertainment venues both within Australia and throughout the world. At the Melbourne Cricket Club, Donna has been one of the architects of the design and implementation of a CARE customer service program, touching all parts of the MCG operations, including over 1500 staff and partners.
This program has won numerous awards, both within Australia and internationally, with the MCC recognised with back to back Australian and International awards, including winning “The Best of the Best” at the 2019 Australian Service Awards and the International Service Excellence Award (Medium Business) from the Customer Service Institute of America. Donna was also awarded the Customer Service Executive of the Year (Service Champion) in late 2019.
Prior to working in the sport and entertainment sector, Donna was the Head of Organisation Development and Talent at FOXTEL Her earlier experiences include fulfilling the role of Head of Professional HR Services and Customer Experience for ANZ Banking Group, as well as leading ANZ’s HR Shared Services Centre across both Australia and New Zealand.
Donna has a Bachelor of Arts (major in Psychology), a Diploma in Human Resource Management and a Masters in Counselling (Psychology). She is also an accredited Executive Coach. She works as a Venue Manager at the MCG on event days, and has recently completed a program with Harvard Business School on Transforming the Customer Experience. She is also part of the Deakin University Sports Management Advisory Group.
Meg Walker
CONTACT US
Zan Lewarn | Education Manager | Venue Management Association
education@vma.org.au | 1300 001 862