Spark Event Group announces VIPeople acquisition

The Melbourne-based Spark Event Group has announced the acquisition of customer service staff specialist VIPeople – effective from 1st May 2023.

Widely regarded as Australia’s leading supplier of specialised customer service staff to both the venue and event industries, VIPeople has been operated by owners Anthony and Karen Duffy since its inception in 2003.

Spark is also a leader in workforce solutions, with over 5,000 active staff and boasting a significant portfolio of major events, including the Australian Open Tennis and Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.

VIPeople Managing Director, Anthony Duffy believes bringing together these two iconic businesses is a huge boost for the industry and will provide clients with unprecedented resources across the country, commenting “our vision at VIPeople was always to focus on quality (over quantity) through engaging great people and preparing them for success.

“The team at Spark, led by Geordie Miles, share that vision. For VIPeople clients, the acquisition allows access to a broader range of experienced event staff, with an extensive Australia-wide database, whilst the VIPeople workforce will have greater opportunity for more event-based roles.

“We are very excited to watch it become the new standard by which all other companies are measured.”

For Spark, who already operate staff at more than 500 events per year, the acquisition is about diversifying the product offering within the venue and event space.

Spark Chief Executive, Geordie Miles advises “this expansion for Spark means availability of a larger workforce across the country, and in particular strengthening the portfolio of our major venues offering across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia. That’s a big benefit to the venues and events industry.”

The acquisition will not change VIPeople’s operations with clients continuing to experience the same dedicated service it has for the past two decades, with familiar faces at all events and in head office, while Anthony and Karen Duffy continue with VIPeople in an advisory capacity.

The Spark team will continue combining event management, operations and workforce to make events happen.

Click here for more information on the Spark Events Group.

Click here to contact VIPeople via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

Image: VIPeople team members at the RNB Fridays Live concert series.