Venue Management School a 'huge success'

The Venue Management Association's 2012 Venue Management School (VMS), held last week (11th to 16th November) at the Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast, has been hailed a "huge success."

Acknowledged as the only venue industry run school of its kind in Australia since its inception in 1994, this internationally recognised School has been a turning point in the careers of more than 600 venue industry professionals and has been growing year on year.

2012 has proven to be a record-breaking year for the School, with 89 enrolments, including the largest ever Year 2 Class. In response to these record numbers, the committee opted to split classes in each year for the first time in VMS history which proved to be an outstanding success.

School Chair, Anthony Duffy praised the students and supporters of the VMS, stating "the increase in numbers is a reflection of the school's reputation as the premier educational platform for the venue industry in the Asia Pacific region. The committee is grateful for the support of employers and suppliers to the industry and we are confident that with this support, these numbers will continue to grow. The students have responded well to our new initiatives, with the splitting of classes proving to be popular, clearly enhancing the learning environment as it was intended.

"I commend the students of their behaviour and dedicationthe integrity of the school is paramount in our planning and the 2012 classes certainly played their part in enhancing its reputation."

Intake from of Year 1 students in Year 1 included professionals from across Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Taiwan with 2013 promising to be a great year at the school as the students spend the next 12 months learning form each other and networking at every opportunity.

The 42 Year 2 students have all successfully graduated with a Diploma and Venues and Events , the first group to achieve this recognition at the VMS. The relationship with TAFE NSW and credibility associated with such a qualification has proven to be very popular and will only serve to enhance the school even further into the future.

As a result, the VMS committee would like to pass on a big 'thank you' to Amanda Good, Carly Cosmo and Kim Noordhof from TAFE NSW who collectively ensured a very smooth transition.

As always, there were some big winners of the prestigious awards associated with academic performance at the VMS. The VMA would like to thank Chris Porter from USI Ungerboeck for his continued support of the bursary for the highest score in the Year 1 exam.

This year's winner was Jason Lyons from the University of NSW.

As reported yesterday, Krystle Mutton, from the AEG Ogden operated Allphones Arena, was awarded the annual AEG Scholarship.

This year, the visiting US instructor was Eric Hart, President and Chief Executive of the Tampa Sports Authority who proved to be a great asset to the school and one of the most popular visitors the school has welcomed.

The VMS' reciprocal arrangement with its 'sister-school', the International Association of Venue Managers' Graduate Institute in Oglebay, USA is a vital element in the delivery of VMS and the committee aims to continue fostering the relationship.

The VMS would not be possible without the support of a number of individuals who dedicated their time to the School.

The VMA Council, VMS committee and students are all very grateful to this dedicated band of individuals including:

Anthony Duffy (VMS Chair)

Brian Morris (VMA President)
Todd Greenberg
Cliff Wallace
Wayne Middleton
Tim Worton
Dean Hassall
Craig Lovett
Meg Walker
Lisa Price
Julie McLoughlin
Lindsay Adams
Chris Farrell
Steve Mackenzie
Mark Zundans
Kym Guesdon
Geoff Hanrahan
Belinda Dona

The VMS Committee has commenced work on the 2013 program, which will again be held at the Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove from 10th to 15th November 2013.

For more information go to www.vmaschool.com/

24th January 2012 - COMMITTEE CHANGES FOR VENUE MANAGEMENT SCHOOL 2012 

8th October 2008 - HUNTER VENUES APPOINT FIRST CHIEF EXECUTIVE