Nelson City Council welcomes Trafalgar Centre's EVANZ Award

With an increase in the number of events held at the city’s Trafalgar Centre helping the venue secure an Entertainment Venues Association of New Zealand award last week, Nelson City Council has welcomed the recognition.

The Trafalgar Centre was awarded the accolade of 2019 Pixel Medium Venue of the Year at the Entertainment Venues Association of New Zealand (EVANZ) Conference on Tuesday night, securing the award for Nelson for the first time.

The number of events hosted at the venue has grown considerably over the last three years.

Partially re-opening with just 16 events in 2016, bookings have increased year-on-year with 39 events in 2017, 63 events in 2018 and more than 80 events and 52,000 audience members in 2019.

Nelson City Council Councillor and Sport and Recreation Committee Chair Tim Skinner was delighted when he heard the news, commenting “this award puts Nelson firmly on the map as a great place to put on a professional event in New Zealand, and I applaud everyone who has played their part in making our fabulous venue go from strength to strength.”

Paying tribute to his venue team and the partnership between the Nelson City Council and facility manager CLM while accepting the award at the Christchurch Town Hall, Venue Manager Mark Mekalick stated “this is absolutely a team effort. We couldn’t have won this award without everyone’s vision, hard work and passion.”

Event Coordinator Leah Parker was also recognised for her work as a finalist in the Rising Star of the Year Award.

The strong increase in events at the venue sees the hardworking Trafalgar Centre team regularly working through evenings and weekends to deliver a huge variety of events.

Its upcoming summer program includes Super Club Netball, 7 Days Live, Christmas for the City, L.A.B and Katchafire, Bay Dreams Pre and After Party, Sticky Fingers, Good People Festival and the Kapa Haka Regional Championships.

Image: Rock Da House at the Trafalgar Centre.