VMA welcomes professionals to Brisbane & Sydney events

The Venue Management Association (VMA) has announced details of upcoming 'After Five' events in Brisbane and Sydney.
The events, to be held at Sydney's Acer Arena on Monday 8th August and at The Lookout an Brisbane's Doomben Racecourse on Thursday 11th August, are a significant part of the VMA's networking and educational calendar.
The Sydney event will feature a backstage tour of Cirque de Soleil - Saltimbanco followed by a presentation from Acer Arena General Manager Paul Sergeant and a 'question and answer' session with Chris May, Company Manager of Cirque de Soleil - Saltimbanco.
At the Brisbane event, Stephen Ferguson of the Brisbane Racing Club (BRC) will explain the size and scope of the BRC and outline the master plan for the redevelopment of Doomben and Eagle Farm Racecourses valued at $1.2 billion.

Presenters

Paul Sergeant has been involved in the venue and events business for 30 years, his first role being at the UK's largest theme park, Alton Towers where he was the Catering Manager. During his career he has taken charge of Wembley Stadium, Wembley Arena, The Millennium Stadium and Suncorp Stadium. Paul has also been the event owner and promoter for a wide variety of sports and entertainment events so collectively has been involved with almost 4,000 major events.

Paul is an avid sports fan with a passion for Stoke City of the the English Premier League. Paul was awarded an OBE for services to business and charity in the 2007 New Year Honours list and became the General Manager of Acer Arena in September 2010.

Chris May. Originally from Adelaide, Chris and his family relocated to Vancouver, Canada when he was nine. Chris graduated with an Associates Degree in Arts & Entertainment Management from Capilano University in Vancouver, and has been touring ever since with theatre and dance companies as well as musicians including The Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, and Australian blues/roots artist Xavier Rudd. Chris has been with Cirque du Soleil for two and a half years and when not on the road is based in Vancouver.

In 2010, Cirque Du Soleil ï¾ Saltimbanco, sold 879,000 tickets.

Stephen Feruson is currently Chief Executive of BRC. BRC was formed in July 2009, to merge the Queensland Turf Club and Brisbane Turf Club. BRC's core business is thoroughbred horse racing, supported by an expanding and diverse events and hospitality business.

Both functions are evening events, starting at 5.30pm.

Guests of VMA members are welcome.

Please RSVP to Irena York.

assist@vma.org.au