EVANZ announces 2021 industry award finalists

The Entertainment Venues Association of New Zealand (EVANZ) has announced the finalists in its 2021 industry awards following the completion of judging.

Launched in 2013, the annual 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 performing arts centres, event centres/arenas, outdoor stadia and 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.”

EVANZ General Manager Sally-Anne Coates acknowledged the auantity and quality of the entries in all seven award categories and thanked the EVANZ Board and our external judges - Scott Ratuki (Tompkins Wake), LIsa Hopkins (BEIA), Michael Brierley (VMA) Mark Lyne (Health Promotion Agency) and Wayne Middleton (Reliance Risk) - who assessed and marked the entries. Here are the finalists:

Large Venue of the Year (Sponsored by Tompkins Wake)
• Claudelands Oval
• Eden Park
• Bowl of Brooklands

Medium Venue of the Year (Sponsored by Reliance Risk and Apex)
• Isaac Theatre Royal
• ILT Stadium Southland
• The Civic Auckland

Small Venue of the Year (Sponsored by EVANZ)
• The Globe Theatre
• Toitoi
• Haere-Roa

Team Leader of the Year (Sponsored by the Venue Management Association)
• Nick Sautner - Eden Park
• Stuart Lyon - Auckland Live
• Nigel Skelt - ILT Stadium Southland

Team Member of the Year (Sponsored by The Health Promotion Agency)
• Catriona Angus - Isaac Theatre Royal
• Simon Rayer - Carterton Event Centre
• Chynna Laughton- Eden Park

Rising Star of the Year (Sponsored by Ungerboeck)
• Vivienne Tevaga - Eden Park
• Jenni Hall - Carterton Event Centre
• Kendra Todd - The Trusts Arena

Industry Supplier of the Year (Sponsored by Vidcom)
• SICO Systems Ltd
• P4G
• Good Systems Aotearoa

The winners will be announced at a special online event starting at 5pm on Thursday 25th November.