EVANZ announces 2016 industry award finalists

The Entertainment Venues Association of New Zealand (EVANZ) has announced the finalists in its fourth annual industry awards following the completion of judging.

Launched in 2013, the awards recognise and reward the success of venues while also acknowledging the contribution of individuals in great leadership, operational management success and identifying the stars of the future.

A statement introducing the Awards explains “venues provide spaces for diverse audiences to be thrilled, informed and entertained.

“These awards shine the spotlight on those talented individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes across New Zealand.

“These spaces, which include 49 performing arts centres, 35 event centres/arenas, 11 outdoor stadia and eight convention centres, allow arts practitioners to push boundaries, sports teams to excel in their field, businesses and educators to develop and grow.

“These are the venues New Zealander’s want to be in, and the ones promoters want to book.”

The nine highly sought after awards are made up of three sections, Venue, People and Excellence, with three accolades per section, with the Supreme Awards for the top scoring venue or person in their respective sections.

This year, for the second time, EVANZ will present the Contribution to Industry Award, this decoration that reflects dedication and success within the industry.

Winners of the Awards, backed by principal sponsors TicketDirect and Priava, will be announced at EVANZ Conference in Hamilton, being held from 5th to 7th December 2016. 

The finalists are:

Tompkins Wake Excellence in Customer Service Award
Baycourt Tauranga
Vbase Christchurch

iTICKET Excellence in Innovation Award
H3 Group Hamilton
Q Theatre Auckland

HPA Excellence in Host Responsibility Award
Eden Park Auckland
Vbase Christchurch
Westpac Stadium Wellington

Ticketmaster Large Venue of the Year (over 5000 seats)
Eden Park Auckland
Hagley Oval Christchurch
Yarrow Stadium New Plymouth

EVANZ Medium Venue of the Year (1001 - 4999 seats)
ILT Stadium Southland Invercargill
Isaac Theatre Royal Christchurch
TSB Hub Hawera

Eventfinda Small venue of the Year (under 1000 seats)
Ashburton Events Centre
Carterton Events Centre
Q Theatre Auckland

Ticketek Venue Executive of the Year 
Darren Burden Vbase
Chad Hooker H3 Group
James Wilson Q Theatre

Simpson Grierson Operations Manager of the Year 
Scott Attenborough Taupo Venues
Blair Christiansen Eden Park
Sven Ladewig H3 Group

Priava Rising Star Award 
Laura Morrison ILT Stadium Southland
Chyna Phelan Eden Park
Dawn Stewart H3 Group

Ticket Direct Supreme Venue of the Year Award (highest scoring nomination across the 3 venue awards - large, medium and small)

Priava Supreme Venue Person of the Year (highest scoring nomination across the 3 people awards)

EVANZ is the peak body representing the venue industry in New Zealand with a membership of 97 venues nationally.

For more information click here to view the conference details in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar

17th September 2016 - 2016 EVANZ CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT CLAUDELANDS IN HAMILTON

12th August 2016 - CLAUDELANDS CELEBRATES MILLIONTH VISITOR DURING DISNEY ON ICE

7th July 2016 - REPORT CONFIRMS SEISMIC ISSUES WITH HAMILTON’S FOUNDERS THEATRE

2nd December 2015 - TRUSTS ARENA NAMED NEW ZEALAND’S SUPREME VENUE OF THE YEAR

5th June 2015 - ISAAC THEATRE ROYAL TO HOST 2015 EVANZ CONFERENCE

23rd December 2014 - WELCOMING EVANZ MEMBERS AS AUSTRALASIAN LEISURE MANAGEMENT READERS

21st November 2012 - WATERFRONT THEATRE NEARS FUNDRAISING TARGET

15th December 2009 - WORK COMMENCES ON AUCKLAND THEATRE