EVANZ announces winners of inaugural New Zealand Venue Industry Awards

Auckland's Vector Arena has been named New Zealand's 'Supreme Venue of the Year' at the inaugural Entertainment Venues Association of New Zealand (EVANZ) Venue Awards.

Vector Arena was also Ticketmaster Large Venue of the Year at the Awards, presented on Monday (2nd December) at the Auckland Art Gallery, during the EVANZ annual conference.

The Awards were also significant for Megan Brown of TSB Showplace New Plymouth who was named OPTIMO Software Supreme Venue Person of the Year and the EVANZ Rising Star of the Year.

Among other winners: Robbie Macrae was named Ticketek NZ Venue Executive of the Year, ASB Theatre Auckland was named Ticketmaster Medium Venue of the Year and Q Theatre Auckland was named EVANZ Small Venue of the Year.

Introduced by EVANZ this year, the awards aim to recognise and reward the success of venues and the contribution of individuals in the New Zealand venues industry.

Winners in the eight award categories were:

Ticket Direct Supreme Venue of the Year - Vector Arena, Auckland

OPTIMO Software Supreme Venue Person of the Year - Megan Brown, TSB Showplace, New Plymouth

Ticketmaster Large Venue of the Year - Vector Arena

Carlton Party Hire Events Operational Manager of the Year - Frank Bischoff

EVANZ Rising Star of the Year - Megan Brown 

Tompkins Wake Excellence in Customer Service - Ashburton Events Centre

I-Ticket Excellence in Innovation - The Edge, Auckland

EVANZ is the peak body representing the venue industry in New Zealand with a membership of 88 venues nationally. This includes 40 theatres, 30 event centres, 10 outdoor stadia and eight convention centres.

EVANZ is a professional organisation providing leadership and builds excellence for entertainment venues. EVANZ facilitates the collective sharing of information, enhancement of skills and development of best practice in the entertainment venues.

Over 150 delegates and award ceremony guests have attended its annual conference held at The Edge in Auckland this week.

For further information contact Miles Davidson on 04 977 1144, E: admin@evanz.co.nz, www.evanz.co.nz

Image: Vector Arena, Auckland.