The Next Stage: The Official VMA Podcast

Todd Dyer is the Vice President and Head of Sports and Live Entertainment Sales at Cast and Crew Entertainment. His career has traversed pretty much every inch of the live entertainment industry. Joel and Todd discuss his efforts to influence change and innovation, what it takes to keep clients onside during the tough times, and how sometimes the most difficult competitor is existing ideas. 

In this episode, VMA CEO Joel Edmondson speaks with Houri Tapiki, General Manager of Theatre Royal Sydney and VMA’s Venue Professional of the Year, about her career journey and philosophy on leadership and customer experience. Houri traces her path from a casual ticketing call-centre role at Ticketek through major responsibilities in sports (Rugby Australia), international experience building Dubai Opera, and ultimately returning to Australia to run Theatre Royal Sydney under Trafalgar Entertainment. She reflects on stewarding a historic venue celebrating its 50th anniversary and managing a long pipeline of major productions, while explaining why customer experience—removing friction, showing genuine empathy, and making a night out “worth leaving the couch for”—sits at the heart of her approach.

Sean Coyle is the Senior Manager, Premium Guest Experience at SoFi Stadium. He shares his experience delivering one of the world's busiest events programs at one of the world's most ambitious venues, including his journey from industry beginner to venue leader.

Terrence Trujillo is the Director of Commercial for Qudos Bank Arena and a superfan of all things live entertainment. He is deeply passionate about the role that venues can play in elevating the fan experience. Join Terrence and Joel for a conversation about the art and science of fan engagement, with a special focus on the role of data in helping us understand and program for new and emerging markets.

Craig McMaster is the Director of Riverside Theatre, Western Sydney's premier performing arts facility. The theatre, based in Parramatta, is in the early stages of a $276m development. Craig and Joel discuss the power of authentic community engagement to a meaningful design outcome.

Adam Cheyne is the CEO of the Sports Environment Alliance (SEA). Adam and Joel wax lyrical on the power of sport to drive behaviour change, the potential of gamification and competition to inspire more sustainable business practice, and the importance of networks to the climate change movement. 

This week, Joel catches up with Michael Roberts, Associate (Resilience, Security and Risk) at Arup. Michael's decades working across the world in senior safety and security positions - including Head of Security for the Australian Olympic Team for Paris 2024 - have lead him to the role of Chair, Institute of Venue Safety and Security for the VMA. Joel and Michael discuss the changing global security landscape and what it means for the task of developing the next generation of venue safety and security leaders.

The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre has just turned 30. Kym and Joel discuss her years at the venue, with a special focus on the changing nature of venue leadership.

Natalie O'Brien is the Chief Executive of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). She joins Joel for a discussion about the MCEC's accessibility journey, how an accessibility lens can improve the overall customer experience, why accessible spaces need to be more welcoming, and how venue design and operations can evolve to be more inclusive of both audiences and venue employees.

Kurt Schulte-Schrepping is a Palawa man from Lutruwita (Tasmania). He is also the Director of First Nations Strategy at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). Join Kurt and Joel for a wide-ranging conversation about how First Nations approaches to community and culture can help venues thrive, how our definition of safety and security needs to expand to be more sustainable and effective, and why treating your mother-in-law well is so important. Kurt will be in conversation with Joelene Elliott (RotoruaNZ) at the Asia-Pacific Venue Industry Congress at ICC Sydney on June 23. Read more at: https://vma.eventsair.com/32nd-asia-pacific-venue-industry-congress/

This week, Joel catches up with Neil Wyatt, Manager Commercial Development at RAC Arena, to discuss the venue's development of their world-class corporate hospitality offering. They discuss the changing shape and role of corporate hospitality in venue business development and community engagement, and the power of the unexpected and the surprising in elevating the audience experience.

In the final episode of the Momentus Innovators series, Steve Mackenzie speaks with Adam Polish, Global Design Director at Populous, about the evolving landscape of venue design. Adam shares how the focus has shifted from expanding square footage to creating dynamic, flexible spaces that foster community engagement and elevate the guest experience. He highlights innovative projects like the BMO Center in Calgary and The Sphere in Las Vegas, emphasizing how design can support both operational efficiency and meaningful experiences. The conversation also explores the importance of designing venues that integrate seamlessly with their surrounding communities. As this series concludes, The Next Stage prepares for a new era of conversations spotlighting fresh voices and forward-thinking strategies in venue management.

Steve Mackenzie sits down with Russ Simons, Chief Listening Officer at Venue Solutions Group, to discuss the evolving landscape of venue management. With over 40 years of industry experience, Russ shares his insights on guest experience benchmarking, risk management, and fostering leadership within organisations. The conversation delves into actionable strategies for improving venue operations, the importance of utilising technology and engaging staff, and how to navigate the challenges of an ever-changing industry. This thought-provoking episode offers valuable takeaways for venue professionals at every level.

Episode 2 sees Steve Mackenzie catch up with Jim Delaney, CEO of Activate Sports and Entertainment. Jim and Steve dive into the evolving landscape of venue experience, especially in terms of the way technology is driving new forms of fan engagement. 

This first VMA podcast episode features a conversation between Steve Mackenzie, Momentus Chief Innovation Officer, and Chrissie Beck, founder of Worlds Better, a venue and event sustainability consultancy.