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The Venue Management Association (Asia and Pacific) has announced the appointment of the results of its 2021 Board Election, with the elections having sought to fill four Active member vacancies and one Allied member vacancy.

Having received four nominations for the Active member positions, each of the new board members were elected unopposed, while the VMA received two nominations for the one Allied position.

With the voting now concluded, the Association congratulates and welcome the following five new Directors to the Board:

Olivia Birkett AVM
Current Infrastructure and Government Relations Manager for Tennis West, which encompasses being Manager of the State Tennis Centre in Perth, Birkett has been involved in the sports, major events and venues industry for the last 20 years.

Birkett has been a member of the Venue Management Association since 2017, has graduated from the Venue Management School in 2018, was awarded the AEG Ogden Scholarship in Year 2, which saw her attend and complete the IAVM’s Graduate Institute in the US in 2019.

She received the status of Accredited Venue Manager (AVM) in 2020.

Matthew Howe AVM
As the current Chief Operating Officer with Federation Square, Howe has over 19 years' experience managing complex venues and precincts including Crown Resorts Melbourne, Melbourne and Olympic Parks, and Southern Cross Station.

Howe graduated the Venue management School in 2009, received the status of Accredited Venue Manager (AVM) in 2013 and in 2019, he completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Directors Course.

He first became a member of the Venue Management Association in 2008.

Adam Lister
Lister is currently the Group General Counsel for ASM Global Asia Pacific. Adam has been a senior executive of various events and operations departments in his time within the industry, holding positions in venues that include Suncorp Stadium, the Beijing Olympic Basketball Arena and the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Lister studied a Juris Doctorate in Law, which he completed with honours and majoring in Corporate and Banking & Finance Law. After serving as an Associate to a Federal Court Judge in the Federal Court of Australia, Adam practiced law for a number of years within the Mergers & Acquisitions and Major Projects teams at Clayton Utz.

Lister graduated the Venue Management School in 2008 and since 2019 has been a lecturer at the School.

He first joined the Venue Management Association in 2006.

Tim Long CVE
Long is currently the Managing Director of Hawkridge Entertainment Services a boutique consultancy firm managing a team that assists organisations in the delivery of high profile, complex infrastructure and business enhancement projects across the Arts, Venue, Sports and Entertainment industries.

Long graduated the Venue Management School in 2008, achieved his Certified Venue Executive (CVE) accreditation in 2019 and has been an Allied member of the Venue Management Association since 2015.

Meagan Walker
As General Manager - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust Meg has been involved in venue management since 2001.

Walker graduated the Venue Management School in 2004, graduated the IAVM’s Graduate Institute in the US in 2001, where she returned as the international guest lecturer in 2018.

Walker was on the Venue Management School VMS committee from 2012 – 2018 and was Chair from 2015 – 2017. Meg continues to lecture at the VMS (since 2010) and the Leadership Institute since its inception into Australia. Meg has been a member of the Venue Management Association since 2008.

Announcing the new board directors, VMA President Leighton Wood, stated "on behalf of the members I take this opportunity to welcome our newly elected Directors onto the Board. The depth of experience and passion in our industry ranks is amazing and we are delighted that these five talented venue professionals will be joining the Board as the Association enters the next phase of its growth.

"I would also like to thank our members for their engagement in the nomination and voting process.

“At the upcoming AGM on the 17th May I will take pleasure in introducing our new Directors and also recognising and acknowledging the outgoing Directors, David Krug, Chris Farrell AVM, Patricia McNamara CVE, Judy Vince CVE, and Evan Wood who all generously donated their time, passion and commitment to the VMA over their terms”.

The new Directors who will commence their three-year term on 19th May 2021 at the VMA’s AGM.

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4th January 2021 - International venue management leader Cliff Wallace’s achievements recognised with Unity Award

13th August 2020 - VMA Board elects MCEC’s Leighton Wood as new President

25th May 2020 - VMA Digital Series looks at the effects of COVID-19 on the entertainment industry

23rd April 2020 - VMA opens application for new Diploma of Venue Management

31st March 2020 - VMA supports members with suspension of membership dues

2nd December 2019 - VMA launches first dedicated jobs portal for the venue management industry

30th May 2019 - Marvel Stadium congratulates Eray Saban on VMA Young Achiever of the Year Award 

7th May 2019 - VMA announces 2019 Venue Industry Awards finalists

23rd May 2018 - VMA presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Sally Arch

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