New generation of leaders emerge at 28th Venue Management School

The Venue Management Association has advised of the success of its 2023 Venue Management School (VMS) and VMA Leadership Institute (LI) held earlier this month at Kingscliff in NSW.

Advising that the 28th edition of VMS welcomed a total of 116 enrolments across all year levels of the School, with 61 students graduating, VMS Chair, Dean Hassall CVE stated “the VMS continues to produce an incredible opportunity for emerging leaders in the venue management industry to gain knowledge and insights into problems and solutions across many facets of the various venue sectors.

“Both year levels of the program represent a unique learning environment that will help position graduates as our next generation of industry leaders.

“With 100 enrolments across Year One and Year Two the School provides a combination of unique networking opportunities and educational experiences.”

The Venue Management School features a range of immersive and experience-based learning sessions across 35 topics, essential to the venue industry. The VMS is unique in that it is the only industry run school of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region. Since its inception, it has graduated over 1,000 students.

Introduced in 2014, the Leadership Institute provides industry specific professional development and instruction for senior managers to executives looking to enhance their leadership abilities. This year saw 16 enrolments being accepted into the program from across Australia, New Zealand and the USA.

As the benchmark program focusing on leadership skills specific to the venue industry, the LI aims to ensure students become the type of leader others admire—one who is trusted by colleagues, inspires others, is sought after for advice, and creates exceptional value to their organisation.

LI Chair, Andrew Travis noted “the eighth edition of the VMA Leadership Institute once again surpassed our expectations. The LI program provides a unique opportunity for industry leaders to come together to collaborate, engage, and reflect upon best practices.

“An accessible and inclusive environment is cultivated throughout the program to maximise the learning experience for the students. One of the highlights is always our special guest presenter. This year Todd Harris CEO, Stadiums Queensland brought a candid and authentic approach to sharing his leadership thoughts and experiences.

With 23 industry leading Instructors from Australia, New Zealand and the USA, the students learnt from the best in the business, upgraded their skills and knowledge to industry best practice and developed career-long relationships with their peers.

This year’s School welcomed enrolments from all states and territories with another large contingent from New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and USA. Representing over 50 venues and organisations, the students, who along with the Instructors, brought, shared and enhanced their collective perspectives and experiences of the venue management industry.

The week culminated with the Graduation Dinner for Year 2 and LI students, along with the awarding of the Year 1 Momentus Technologies Bursary and Year 2 ASM Global Scholarship.

Daniel McPherson, Operations Leader at Melbourne and Olympic Parks, was the recipient of the 2023 VMS Momentus Technologies Bursary. As the top-scoring Year 1 student, the Bursary covers his student enrolment fees for Year 2 of the program.

Anthony Chin, Senior Audio Visual Project Manager at ASM Global - ICC Sydney, was awarded the ASM Global Scholarship Award winner for the best Year 2 student. The ASM Global Scholarship covers enrolment and travel to the International Association of Venue Manager’s Graduate Institute program in the USA.

At the Graduation Dinner, VMA President, Phil King AVM commented “the School embodies the camaraderie, the energy and enthusiasm for our great industry. The sharing of knowledge, the professional networks and the career-defining friendships are why many of us are drawn to the VMS, LI and to the VMA.”

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Main image: VMA Leadership Institute students and graduates.