Dean Hassall joins Brisbane Racing Club Board

Respected venue management professional Dean Hassall has been appointed to fill a casual vacancy as a Director of Brisbane Racing Club Ltd (BRC).

Making the announcement BRC Chairman Kevin Dixon explained "Dean will be a tremendous acquisition to the Board of Directors.

"Dean is currently a consultant in the fields of venue and event management and facility development. As the operators of Eagle Farm and Doomben Racecourses and a licensed Sports Club, these are core skills required by BRC as we progress our $1.2 billion master plan.

"Dean has had significant management experience related to venues such as Suncorp Stadium, (former) ANZ Stadium, and Sleeman Sports Complex. He oversaw all venues and operations for the multi-sport 2001 Goodwill Games Brisbane, involving eight venues in ten days, and was a lead team member for the Tennyson Riverside Development project incorporating the development of the Queensland State Tennis Centre.

"In his consultancy business, Dean provides a broad range of services to the venue industry sharing his management and operational expertise with the likes of Brisbane City Council, Stadiums Queensland, Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, Willoughby City Council, Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Bid and South Australian Cricket Association."

In 2011, Dean was announced as the Venue Management Association (Asia and Pacific) Allied Venue Professional of the Year and he serves as a Venue Management Association Councillor and has been a longstanding lecturer and committee member for Australia's annual benchmark educational program for the venue industry, the Association's Venue Management School.

Hassall explains "prior to the merger of BTC and QTC, I was a long standing member of both clubs and have been a keen racing follower for many years.

"I am excited to be involved in the continual improvement of Doomben and Eagle Farm Racecourses.

"My aim is to assist the Board with ensuring the benefits of the master plan development are maximised and bring experience that assists the Board and Executive with ongoing operations and commercial opportunities for their major public facilities.

"It is essential that members, public and participants have first class facilities, which persuade people to want to come to the races and enjoy a fantastic total event experience."

Hassell's appointment follows the resignation of Eddie Kann from the Board of Directors last month.

21st January 2009 - HASSALL APPOINTED FURY CHIEF EXECUTIVE