The VMA Professional Development Workshops are designed for operational/ frontline staff and aspiring managers. These half-day workshops will enhance their skill set and allow them to take the next step in their career.
Now more than ever, is the time to invest in your team. Keep your young professionals engaged and eager to progress within the venue management industry.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
VMA Members only $149: Includes Workshop, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, and After 5! Networking (most cities) or 5 VMA Members for $600
Non-Members: $300 or 5 for $1000
2025 Workshops Coming Soon
Past Workshops
PERTH - Wednesday, 6 March, 2024 @ HBF Park
This half-day professional development program will feature key sessions delivered by industry leaders who will pass along valuable knowledge to our delegates. Registration is now open.
| 1200 | Lunch/Registration | |
| 1250 | Welcome | |
| 1300 | Building a team differently – connecting for success! |
Bourby Webster, Chief Rule-Breaker & Game Changer | Get Things Done Director at NORTH STREET GROUP: North Street Consulting | North Street Music |
| 1400 | Emergency Management |
Stuart Lyon AVM, Director of Strategy and Partnerships, VenuesWest |
| 1500 | Afternoon Tea | |
| 1530 | Keynote Address – Women in Leadership Panel |
Olivia Birkett AVM, CEO, Tennis West, Nadia Owen, Head of Meetings & Special Events, VenuesLive WA – Optus Stadium, & Lorraine Rice AVM, Head of Venue Operations, Perth Concert Hall |
| 1630 | Wrap up | |
| 1730 | After 5! Networking |
BRISBANE - Wednesday, 20 March 2024 @ Brisbane City Hall
This half-day professional development program will feature key sessions delivered by industry leaders who will pass along valuable knowledge to our delegates.
| 1200 | Lunch/Registration | |
| 1250 | Welcome | |
| 1300 | How to Present and Interact with Confidence and Influence |
Scott Taylor, Managing Director, Praesidium Risk and Resilience |
| 1400 | The Balancing Act: Business as Usual While Navigating Capital Works |
Jim Cunningham, Facilities Operations Manager, QPAC |
| 1500 | Afternoon Tea | |
| 1530 | Keynote Address – Women in Leadership |
Kate Gould, CEO/ Artistic Director, Brisbane Power House Facilitator: Erica Kennedy, Venue Coordinator, Logan City Council |
| 1630 | Wrap up | |
| 1730 | After 5! Networking | Sponsored by Gema Group |
SYDNEY - Wednesday, 3 April 2024 @ Sydney Masonic Centre
Build This half-day professional development program will feature key sessions delivered by industry leaders who will pass along valuable knowledge to our delegates.
| 1200 | Lunch/Registration | |
| 1250 | Welcome | |
| 1300 | How to Present and Interact with Confidence and Influence |
Scott Taylor, Managing Director, Praesidium Risk and Resilience |
| 1400 | Client-Centric Excellence: Unveiling the Journey Through the Eyes of the Client |
Malu Barrios, Director of Event Services, International Convention Centre, Sydney |
| 1500 | Afternoon Tea | |
| 1530 | Keynote Address – Women in Leadership |
Houri Tapiki, General Manager, Theatre Royal Sydney
Facilitator: Hera Yaghlejian, Manager of Business Development & Partnerships at ICC Sydney |
| 1630 | Wrap up | |
| 1730 | After 5! Networking | Hordern Pavilion, Sponsored by Maxwell Technologies |
MELBOURNE - Wednesday, 10 April 2024 @ Abbotsford Convent
This half-day professional development program will feature key sessions delivered by industry leaders who will pass along valuable knowledge to our delegates.
| 1200 | Lunch/Registration | |
| 1250 | Welcome | |
| 1300 | How to Present and Interact with Confidence and Influence |
Scott Taylor, Managing Director, Praesidium Risk and Resilience |
| 1400 | Venue Security |
Michael Roberts, ARUP Associates, and IVSS Instructor |
| 1500 | Afternoon Tea | |
| 1530 | Keynote Address – Women in Leadership Panel |
Kate Alexander, Head of Major Events, Melbourne & Olympic Parks Megan O’Toole, Head of Stadium Operations, AFL House ‑ Melbourne |
| 1630 | Wrap up | |
| 1730 | After 5! Networking |
GLENORCHY - Tuesday, 16 July 2024 @ MyState Bank Arena
This half-day professional development program will feature key sessions delivered by industry leaders who will pass along valuable knowledge to our delegates.
| 1200 | Lunch/Registration | ||
| 1250 | Welcome | ||
| 1300 | Managing Conflict |
Scott Taylor CPP, Managing Director, Praesidium Risk and Resilience |
|
| 1400 | Managing Internal and External Relationships |
Scott Woodham, General Manager, Blundstone Arena |
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| 1500 | Afternoon Tea | ||
| 1530 | Keynote Address – Leadership |
Facilitator: Renee Brown AVM, General Manager, MyState Bank Arena Speaker: James Avery, CEO, Stadiums Tasmania |
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| 1630 | Wrap up | ||
| 1700 | Venue Tour | Optional: If you are joining us for the VMA After 5! Event later, arrive a little earlier to take a behind the scene look at MyState Bank Arena on a venue tour | |
| 1730 | After 5! Networking Event | Optional: Join other Venue Professionals and VMA Members for a night of networking, and connecting at MyState Bank Arena. | |
CHRISTCHURCH - 23 September, 2024 @ Te Pae Convention Centre in conjunction with EVANZ
This half-day professional development program will feature key sessions delivered by industry leaders who will pass along valuable knowledge to our delegates.
| 1250 | Welcome | |
| 1300 | The Leadership Circle |
Amanda Russo, Executive & Leadership Coach, Russo Goodin & Associates |
| 1400 | 10 Minute Break | |
| 1410 | Keynote Address: Sustainability |
Izzy Logie, Environmental Coordinator at Te Pae Christchurch Facilitator: Danielle Thompson, Director of Business Services at Te Pae Christchurch |
| 1510 | 10 Minute Break | |
| 1520 | Personal Safety and Conflict Management |
Bruce Couper, General Manager, Risq Training and Advisory |
| 1620 | Wrap up | |
| 1730 | After 5! Networking (optional) | Isaac Theatre Royal |
Thanks to our host venues
