Take a peek at the Entertainment Venues Association of New Zealand Awards winners
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