The VMA hosted a record number of students last week for the 2022 Venue Management School (VMS) and VMA Leadership Institute (LI) in Kingscliff, NSW.
The 27th edition of VMS welcomed a total of 97 enrolments across all year levels of the School, with 20 Year 2 and 17 LI students graduating.
This year’s School welcomed enrolments from all states and territories with another large contingent from New Zealand, and USA. Representing more than 61 venues and organisations, the students, who along with the Instructors, brought, shared and enhanced their collective perspectives and experiences of the venue management industry.
The week culminated with the Graduation Dinner for Year 2 and LI students, along with the awarding of the Year 1 Ungerboeck Bursary and Year 2 ASM Global Scholarship.
Emily Purchase pictured with Alex Butler, Vice President, Customer Success, APAC Ungerboeck.
Emily Purchase, Senior Event Manager at Melbourne and Olympic Parks – AAMI Park, was the recipient of the 2022 VMS Ungerboeck Bursary. As the top-scoring Year 1 student, the Bursary covers her student enrolment fees for Year 2 of the program.
On winning the Award Emily said “I am honoured to have been awarded the VMS Year 1 Ungerboeck Bursary Award for 2022. I had a fantastic week at Year 1 of Venue Management School learning from incredible instructors and leaders as well as the ability to connect and build great relationships with my peers within venues and events industry. I look forward to being able to sharing and apply these learnings within my role at Melbourne & Olympic Parks and I am grateful that this award means that I will get the opportunity to return to VMS next year to continue my growth, development and network in Year 2.”
Anna Fowler pictures with Tim Worton CVE
Group Director – Arenas, ASM Global – Asia Pacific
Anna Fowler, Club Operations and Disciplinary Officer at Melbourne Cricket Club was awarded the ASM Global Scholarship Award winner for the best Year 2 student. The ASM Global Scholarship covers enrolment and travel to the International Association of Venue Manager’s Graduate Institute program in the USA.
Anna noted on being announced “To receive any recognition of achievement in the professional space is very special. However, to win this award amongst such incredible peers and colleagues, and in an industry I am so passionate about, makes it even more meaningful and humbling. Thank you to the Melbourne Cricket Club, ASM Global and the Venue Management Association (Asia and Pacific) for this fantastic opportunity. It was wonderful to be back in person at Venue Management School this year and to connect again with leading instructors and industry professionals across Australia and New Zealand. I look forward to putting the skills, education and experiences I gain while attending the GI School in Tampa to work within the industry.”
VMA President, Leighton Wood noted at the Graduation Dinner, “The School embodies the camaraderie, the energy and enthusiasm for our great industry. The sharing of knowledge, the professional networks and the career-defining friendships are why many of us are drawn to the VMS and to the VMA.”