VMA names Phil King as new President

The Venue Management Association (Asia and Pacific) Ltd has announced the election of Phil King AVM, Chief Commercial Officer at the South Australian Cricket Association, as its new President.

Commencing his three-year term as President following his election by the VMA Board this week, King replaces outgoing President, Leighton Wood.

First elected to the VMA Board in 2017, King has previously served in numerous capacities including the last three years as Chair of the Professional Development Committee.

In accepting the role, King noted “the VMA is an amazing collective of passionate and professional venue managers and industry suppliers from the Asia and Pacific region and I am both delighted and humbled to be given this opportunity by the Board of the VMA to serve as its next President.”

In addressing the future for the venues industry, King advised “the VMA has emerged from the recent pandemic stronger and more resilient than ever. We have a very clear pathway forward that positions our members, and the industry, front and centre in our strategic priorities and I have the support of a very talented group of industry leaders sitting beside me at the Board table.”

King also took the opportunity to congratulate Leighton Wood, stating “let me firstly highlight the stellar performance of our outgoing President Leighton Wood and the Board over the past three years, under whose direction the Association has been able to overcome an unprecedented period of disruption for our industry.”

King also noted “the VMA has emerged with a solid platform across our membership, education and financial foundations that enables us to now look to the future with confidence. In celebrating the Association’s 30th anniversary it is the hard work and dedication of all those that came before me that have put us in this great position.”

Stepping down from his role, Wood commented “I want to wish the new Board and incoming President, Phil King all the best with the immediate challenges ahead and importantly as they steer the Association towards what I am confident will be a prosperous and bright future.

“Phil’s strong leadership, inspiring vision and passion for our industry and Association will ensure we are in good hands”.

Wood first joined the VMA Board in 2016 serving as Chair Professional Development Committee before being elected to the role of President in 2020.

Reflecting on his tenure as President, he went on say “I would like to thank all the Associations members, our partners, staff, committees, and fellow Board Directors for helping make my term as President a rewarding and enriching experience. It has been a privilege to serve as the Association’s President over the past three years and as a board member these past seven years.”

The AGM also ratified the election of incoming Director Malu Barrios, Director of Event Service at the International Convention Centre Sydney, and the re-election of Anthony Duffy AVM, Managing Director of Thinking Outside for a further three year term.

The VMA's 2023 Asia-Pacific Venue Industry Congress is being held in Melbourne from 21st to 23rd May.

Click here for more information on the 30th Asia-Pacific Venue Industry Congress in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Images: Phil King (top) and Leighton Wood (below).