The VMA’s Venue Industry Awards are the premier Awards program in our industry for the Asia-Pacific region. Since 2010, the Awards have been showcasing the best of the venue industry’s talent across a number of categories:
- Venue Professional of the Year,
- Allied Professional of the Year, and
- Young Achiever of the Year for our under 30’s
In 2022, Wayne Middleton, Global Vice President of Risk at Momentus Technologies was celebrated as the Allied Professional of the Year Winner at the VMA Venue Industry Awards. In this article, Wayne shares his thoughts on why nominating someone for the Venue Industry Award is a way to recognise and celebrate achievements, hard work, and has a positive impact on the industry or community. According to Wayne, it can also serve as a motivational tool and encourage professionals to continue their efforts. Moreover, being nominated or winning an award can lead to new opportunities and growth in their career or personal life!
1.What has it meant to you personally to win the award? 
Wayne: I was honoured, (and a little surprised) at winning the 2022 Allied Professional of the Year at the VMA Congress in Sydney. Frankly, there are many people I could name who have risen to the challenge over the previous 12 months – throughout the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, to achieve great things for our industry, their organisation, and themselves personally and professionally. So as we come to terms with what living with COVID is all about, I am inspired by our industry’s capacity to work together to recover and bring events back to our communities.
2. What did it mean to you professionally to win the award?
Wayne: Industry awards such as this, offer important recognition by your peers of the contribution you have made to help others; and it is that level of service that sets our industry apart from others; and what makes it special. The incredible contributions of many who volunteer their time through industry boards, education, and through financial support, is what makes me proud to be part of; and is what inspires me to want to give back.
3. What would you say to your peers to encourage them to enter the award?
Wayne: I would encourage all VMA members to consider putting up their hand for such recognition. Regardless of the outcome, it is always important to pause, and reflect back on what you have achieved. We should always strive to be the best person we can be, and these awards can help motivate us to achieve that.