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The 2019 Pink Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Eden Park Chief Executive Nick Sautner, Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium and the smart wearable shirt used at the 2018 AFL Sydney Derby have been recognised in the just shortlist for the 2019 StadiumBusiness Awards.

While the venue industry in Australia and New Zealand reached the shortlist in four of the nine categories in this year’s Awards, the focus of the shortlist for the Awards - which will be presented in Manchester, England on 4th June - is largely on the Europe and the USA while Asia doesn’t figure in any of the Awards.

Among the regional nominations, the The Pink Test – Jane McGrath Day 2019 at the SCG is one of six events competing for the Event of the Year, Marvel Stadium is on the shortlist for the Venue of the Year and Eden Park’s Nick Sautner is in the running for the Executive of the Year Award.

In addition, the smart wearable shirt won by the GWS Giants at the AFL Sydney Derby and also by Real Sociedad of Spain’s La Liga is in the running for the Fan Experience Award.

Commenting on Sautner reaching the Executive of the Year Award shortlist, Eden Park Trust Board Chairman Doug McKay says “It is very encouraging for both Eden Park and our Chief Executive to be in the upper global echelon of stadium venues and leaders. This underscores the reverence in which Eden Park is held globally and the terrific job Nick and his team do in engaging key stakeholders and strengthening our revenue base.”

Over the past three years Sautner has led transformational change at New Zealand’s national stadium to modernise its operations whilst securing additional content through non-sporting and community based events.

Commenting on being included among the finalists, Sautner advised that it reaffirms that Eden Park is a blank canvas to express creativity through sport, arts, music and entertainment.

He commented “I’m thrilled to be acknowledged internationally for the innovation and continual efforts to increase utilisation whilst adhering to our core function of providing world-class live events.

“New Zealand’s national stadium is a strategic asset for Auckland and all of Aotearoa that showcases our city and country on the international stage, in addition to delivering significant economic benefits to the community.”

The StadiumBusiness Awards are presented in nine categories, with an additional Award, the Outstanding Achievement Award, recognising an individual that has shown exceptional commitment, service and leadership to the stadium industry over a sustained period of time.

Images: The 2019 Pink Test at the SCG (top, courtesy of McGrath Foundation/Chris Pavlich Photography) and Eden Park’s Nick Sautner (below).

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26th April 2019 - Darren Burden named SMG’s Project Executive Director for Hong Kong Kai Tak Sports Park project

26th March 2019 - Marvel Stadium’s ‘absolutely atrocious’ turf areas to be replaced

24th October 2018 - Eden Park team retains Australasian Leisure Management communication and marketing award

13th June 2018 - SCG Trust secures StadiumBusiness Venue Technology award

7th March 2018 - Australasian venues shortlisted for 2018 StadiumBusiness Awards

29th September 2017 - Eden Park Trust appoints new Chief Executive

2nd June 2016 - SCG Trust’s technology wins at international stadium business awards

1st January 2016 - SCG Trust advises fans to plan for enhanced Test match security

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