Accolades were passed out to winners in nine award categories, and two Supreme Awards were bestowed at this year’s EVANZ Awards, which recognises the achievements of the entertainment venue industry. Christchurch, New Plymouth, Hamilton and Auckland all had winning entrants, with Darren Burden from Vbase in Christchurch winning two awards – Venue Executive and Supreme Venue Person. 

From left: Neil Cox (Isaac Theatre Royal), Matt Davey (Ticket Direct Sponsor) and Freya Alexander (Isaac Theatre Royal).

This year the Contribution to Industry Award, recognising dedication and success within the industry, went to Neil Cox of the Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch. In the Excellence section, for the Tompkins Wake Lawyers Excellence in Customer Service, Vbase in Christchurch scooped the award, with the iTicket Excellence in Innovation award going to H3 Group, Hamilton. In the final category Auckland’s Eden park took out the Health Promotion Agency Excellence in Venue Host Responsibility.

Within the Venue section, New Plymouth took the award for the Ticketmaster Large Venue with Yarrow Stadium, its multisport/purpose venue. The Eventfinda Small Venue winnerwais Q Theatre Auckland. The Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch won the Evanz Medium Venue, being commended on their perseverance, initiative and tenacity over the past year, and also received the Ticket Direct Supreme Venue of the Year Award.                              

In the final section of awards, focussed on People Sven Ladewig of the H3 Group Hamilton was named as the Simpson Grierson Operations Manager of the Year. Darren Burden of Vbase in Christchurch won not only Ticketek Venue Executive of the Year, but also the Priava Supreme Venue Person of the Year for exceptional leadership under duress and challenging circumstances. Chyna Phelan, from Eden Park, nabbed the Priava Rising Star of the Year.

The judges stated that all the entries received showed the great wealth of talent and dedication within the events, entertainment and venue industries.

Neil Cox (Priava Sponsor), left, and Chynna Phelan (Eden Park).

The 2016 EVANZ Venue Award Winners

EVANZ Contribution to Industry Award                

RECIPIENT: Neil Cox, Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch            

EXCELLENCE SECTION

Tompkins Wake Lawyers Excellence in Customer Service

WINNER: Vbase, Christchurch

iTicket Excellence in Innovation

WINNER: H3 Group, Hamilton

Health Promotion Agency Excellence in Venue Host Responsibility

WINNER: Eden Park, Auckland                  

VENUE SECTION

Ticketmaster Large Venue (+5,000 Seats)

WINNER: Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth                           

Evanz Medium Venue (1001-4999 Seats)

WINNER: Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch         

Eventfinda Small Venue (1-1000 Seats)

WINNER: Q Theatre, Auckland  

Ticket Direct Supreme Venue of the Year Award

WINNER: Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch         

PEOPLE SECTION

Ticketek Venue Executive of the Year

WINNER: Darren Burden, Vbase, Christchurch   

Simpson Grierson Operations Manager of the Year

WINNER: Sven Ladewig, H3 Group, Hamilton

Priava Rising Star of the Year

WINNER: Chyna Phelan, Eden Park, Auckland

Priava Supreme Venue Person of the Year

WINNER: Darren Burden, Vbase, Christchurch