Current EVANZ Executive

DALE HENDERSON (President)

I have been an EVANZ member since 1998, and President from 2006-2011.
Employed as the Manager of the Venues and Events team at Tauranga City Council, my responsibilities include the Baycourt Community and Arts Centre, along with the bookings for the many outdoor recreation spaces in Tauranga.

In 1999 I had 12 months experience managing a 4 court indoor sports facility, and have recently be involved as a part of the design team for the new 9 Court TECT Arena.  I have a passion for the events industry, with a personal interest in the technical support of events, and Musical Theatre.

‘Wins’ for EVANZ over the last few years include a standardised Venue Rental Contract available for all to use, several attempts at Benchmarking tools, a nationwide evaluation process of Venue Software, collection of national data on the size of our business, and the start of a process to develop a national training framework. 
 
With no formal training structure in NZ we currently rely on the sharing of best practice between members - which is one of the current major benefits of EVANZ.  The Conference and Mid Year meetings provide opportunities for all members to come together and use this time to interact, learn and share.  One of the main current focus's of the EVANZ Executive is to champion the development of a formal training framework, and the development of formal industry best practice.

MELANIE SMITH

Melanie is the Head of Programming and Presenter Services for THE EDGE® in Auckland and is responsible for the development of Arts Programmes and the Commercial Theatre Business plan. Leading a team of 20, the role oversees the day-to-day commercial theatre and Arts programmes operations, maximising revenue opportunities and building audience levels, appreciation and support.  The role has a strong focus on ensuring the programming mix and entertainment options are exciting, varied and in line with public demand.

Prior to Melanie’s programming roles she ran her own Marketing business for 8 years and was Marketing Director for the NZ Comedy Festival and the Auckland Arts Festival.  She also worked for a wide variety of national and international producers and arts companies marketing shows around NZ. Melanie was also Marketing Manager and Associate Producer for Edinburgh Fringe Assembly Theatre programme 2006 and 2007.

She has a passion for ensuring NZ has the opportunity to experience the breadth and diversity of our local talent as well as bringing top class international entertainment to our Shores.

KEITH PARKER

Operations Manager, Eden Park, Auckland.

I have been in the industry for 20 years and owned my own events company before moving to Rotorua with Event Venues working up to Operations Manager of Rotorua International Stadium and the Sportsdome managed by Rotorua District Council, before heading for Hamilton City Council.

I worked for the Hamilton City Council for 8 years in various roles starting as the Operations manager of Waikato Stadium and Seddon Park, moving through to Venue Manager of those facilities before taking up the operations role with Eden Park to prepare and manage the stadium for Rugby World Cup.

Member of the National Executive of EVANZ last 3 years.  VMA member and actively attend all VMA conferences.  PVMS graduate.

Member of the National Advisory board working with Skills Active towards a level of education and certification within our industry at all levels.

I am excited about being involved with the education process of our industry and being part of the Executive of EVANZ will allow me to work more closely with all of the parties involved.

I look forward to meeting and sharing ideas with people throughout our industry to best understand wants and needs of our executive to operate on the members behalf.

NELITA BYRNE

I am the manager of TSB Showplace, a two theatre and conference venue in New Plymouth.  I started in the industry in 2004 as Manager of Venues for New Plymouth District Council which included the TSB Showplace, TSB Stadium, Yarrow Stadium and TSB Bowl of Brooklands.
 
I transferred with the TSB Showplace to Taranaki Arts Festival Trust (TAFT) when they took over the management contract of the venue. I am part of the senior management team of TAFT who produce the Taranaki International Arts Festival, WOMAD, Sounds Aotearoa and The Powerco Garden Festival and I am a graduate of PVMS.

The TSB Showplace is part of the Central North Island Consortium with Hamilton City Theatres and Hawkes Bay Opera House who are funded under the Creative NZ Regional Distribution strategy, so I have a strong interest in theatres to be active in programming work and encouraging a network of venues to create viable touring opportunities.  EVANZ can be a valuable resource to both NZ and international promoters and event organizers to research venues with required resources and determine a feasible touring route.

EVANZ can also be a key communication tool for suppliers, potential clients and government agencies to contact and provide information to or about members.

As part of the EVANZ executive I wish to continue the fantastic work EVANZ has done to develop formal industry best practice and training framework, providing quality Conference and Mid Year meetings with learning opportunities, networking and sharing of ideas and initiatives.  I believe it is important that all sectors of venues are represented at EVANZ.  With my experience working in stadia, conference and theatre, we do share similar challenges and practices and EVANZ continually provides benefits to all its members.

RICHARD SUTHERLAND

Long history of Theatre involvement, professionally for 20 + years, last 12 in venue management, current position Event Services manager for Hamilton City theatres, part of the Event Facilities Unit of Hamilton City Council.

I am passionate about theatre particularly but support all events and entertainment activity. Outside interests include motor racing and rally event organisation.

Key driver for me in EVANZ is raising the standard of venue operation in NZ from passive asset management to proactive programming and event management.   The performing Arts Network New Zealand (OAANZ) is a part of this hence my role on the PAANZ executive as an EVANZ rep.

I am keen to continue developing and sharing skills and processes for the theatre sector and to working with the new exec team.

ANDREW SCOTT

Andrew joined the Bruce Mason Centre in March 2009, having served as the CEO at the Marlborough Civic Theatre for a number of years. 

Andrew’s lifelong passion is for theatre and the performing arts.  Having spent many years performing in and producing community theatre in and around Marlborough and Wellington.

Andrew sees the linkages between the greater Auckland community and the Bruce Mason Centre as vital to creating a successful and sustainable performing arts, entertainment and conference centre venue for this region.

He is entering his second year on the EVANZ Executive looking forward to the next term in office.