The 26th edition of VMS welcomed a total of 118 enrolments across the two year program and LI, with 45 students graduating through the School.
“The VMS offers an incredible opportunity for emerging leaders in the venue management industry to gain knowledge and insights into problems and solutions across many facets of the various venue sectors. In such a unique learning environment, we’re thrilled to have so many students attend this year; in what has been record numbers of graduates successfully completing the program,” said Wayne Middleton CVE, VMS Chair.
The Venue Management School features a range of immersive and experience-based learning sessions across 35 topics, essential to the venue industry. The VMS is unique in that it is the only industry run school of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region. Since its inception, it has graduated nearly 1,000 students.
Introduced in 2014, the Leadership Institute provides industry specific professional development and instruction for senior managers to executives looking to enhance their leadership abilities. This year it also passed previous records with 18 enrolments being accepted into the program.
As the benchmark program focusing on leadership skills specific to the venue industry, the LI aims to ensure students become the type of leader others admire—one who is trusted by colleagues, inspires others, is sought after for advice, and creates exceptional value to their organisation.
“The 6th edition of the VMA Leadership Institute again surpassed our expectations with 18 enrolments from Australia, New Zealand and the USA. One of the highlights for students was our special guest presenter, NRL Chief Executive, Todd Greenberg, both a past graduate of the VMS and Instructor in the program, sharing his thoughts and experiences with the students.,” said Anthony Duffy AVM, LI Chair.
With 23 industry leading Instructors from Australia, New Zealand and the USA, the students learnt from the best in the business, upgraded their skills and knowledge to industry best practice and developed career-long relationships with their peers.
This year’s School welcomed enrolments from all states and territories with another large contingent from New Zealand, a strong presence from across the Asia-Pacific region, and our first US-based student. Representing more than 65 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.
Zoe Anastasiou, Melbourne Cricket Club’s Assistant Accountant, was the recipient of the 2019 VMS Ungerboeck Bursary. As the top-scoring Year 1 student, the Bursary covers her student enrolment fees for Year 2 of the program.
Cathy Chambers, Auckland Live’s Account Manager, claimed back-to-back awards being the ASM Global Scholarship Award winner for the best Year 2 student. Cathy was the 2018 winner of the Year 1 Bursary and continued that great form in 2019. The ASM Global Scholarship covers enrolment and travel to the International Association of Venue Manager’s Graduate Institute program in the USA.
VMA President, Steve Harper CVE 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.”