VMA reveals results of 2023 Board Election

The Venue Management Association (Asia and Pacific) has revealed the results of its 2023 Board Election with Anthony Duffy AVM to return as an Allied Director and Malu Barrios becoming its newest member.

With the election having been called for nominations to fill one vacant Active Board position and one vacant Allied Board position, the pair will commence their terms as of Monday 15th May.

Malu Barrios
Barrios has spent over 20 years at director level in the events industry - developing and implementing venue management strategies across a variety of major convention centres and event venues throughout Australia.

She is a seasoned ASM Global executive, having successfully launched three of the global venue management group’s facilities prior to undertaking her current role of Director of Event Services at ICC Sydney.

Barrios previously held the position of Events Director of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, General Manager of the Darwin Convention Centre and General Manager of Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island, where she ensured the seamless transition of events from the interim facility to ICC Sydney.

She was also associated with the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW as General Manager of the Sydney Showground where she contributed to great cultural and corporate change within the organisation.

Barrios was an instrumental member of the ICC Sydney opening team and has since overseen the delivery thousands of world class events since it’s opening in December 2016.

In her role as Director of Event Service, she oversees the teams involved in ICC Sydney’s event planning, event operations, customer service and live events. Her team is often considered to be the engine room of ICC Sydney, working hand in hand with clients to bring their extraordinary event visions to life.

Under her guidance, ICC Sydney’s operations have gone from strength to strength and have been recognised with numerous industry accolades. This includes the Exhibitions and Events Association of Australasia (EEAA) Best Venue Team in 2018 and 2019 and being awarded the Best Event Venue - Capacity over 1500 from the prestigious Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) 2019 National Awards, amongst others.

She has a global reputation for being a first-class leader and is well recognised for her expertise and advocacy of business events and venue management. Barrios was recognised as the inaugural Unsung Hero of the event and exhibition industry by the EEAA in 2017 for her significant contribution over many years.

She first became a member of the Venue Management Association in 2008.

Anthony Duffy
Duffy is the founder VIPeople and has contributed to the venue industry for over 30 years.

He brings a wealth of experience to the VMA Board; as a Member since the VMA’s inception, having previously served a 10–year term on the VMA Board and through his role as a member of the Venue Management School Committee.

In addition, he was previously both the Venue Management School Chair and the Dean of the Leadership Institute, and represents the schools as a member of the VMA’s Professional Development Committee.

His recognition from within the industry include:

• 1997 graduated Venue Management School 2010 awarded the inaugural 'Allied Venue Professional of the Year'

• 2010 represented the VMA as exchange Instructor

• 2013 completed the US Graduate Institute 2013 awarded 'Accredited Venue Manager' status by the Venue Management Association

• 2015 one of only four Australians to be awarded the coveted IAVM’s 'Chairman’s Citation', recognising commitment to development of education in the industry, primarily through the establishment of the Australian Leadership Institute

• 2019 inducted as a 'Fellow' of the Customer Service Institute of Australia

Commenting on the election, VMA President Leighton Wood said, “On behalf of the members I take this opportunity to welcome our newly elected Directors onto the Board. The depth of experience and passion in our industry ranks is amazing and we are delighted that these talented venue professionals will be joining the Board as the Association enters the next phase of its growth.

“I would also like to thank our members for their engagement in the nomination and voting process.”

The VMA is currently counting down to its 2023 Asia-Pacific Venue Industry Congress, 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.