Established in 1995 by Peter Kaye and a group of like minded companies, the purpose of the Events Industry Association in Western Australia has been to represent the continually expanding local industry. Its activities have focused on establishing networks which support industry growth, facilitation of knowledge sharing and communication, and ensuring the growth of this important industry which makes a substantial annual contribution to the WA economy.
The process of establishing the media presence the EIA has now began when Camille Bradsmith joined the board of the Tourism Council (of which the EIA were members). This position provided Camille with the opportunity to learn how to effectively liaise with the media by observing the strategies of the Tourism Council. Prior to this the Events Industry did not have a strong voice and was not recognised by the media or the government. The issue of Public Liability insurance effectively increased the Association’s visibility, as the EIA was the media contact for this issue. The EIA Forum on Public Liability was attended by industry representatives and helped to bring the association to the attention of a larger demographic.
The EIA has had a number of significant achievements in its short life. These include an increase in electrical safety as their strong position on Testing and Tagging has resulted in an increase in the practice of checking leads. The EIA also created the opportunity for businesses to use their own testing machine rather than having to carry the additional costs of employing an electrician. Risk Management issues have been successfully negotiated, and 2006 has also seen the securing of $322 million for the new Perth Arena and Car Park (originally only $50 million was going to be spent refurbishing the old Entertainment Centre). The lobbying and persistence of Camille Bradsmith’s team, which included several EIA Board members, were significant in the achievement of this exciting outcome. Camille was also influential in ensuring that Events Industry experts were included in the process of designing new arena for maximal efficiency. A technical committee continues to represent the Events Industry in this significant new project. Recently the EIA also hosted a successful cocktail launch for the Perth Arena project which was well attended by the media and funded by the Department of Housing and Works.
The EIA continues to advocate for the industry and in particular is currently lobbying against both the ‘rent a cop’ plan and the directive that all staff at any event or venue must have a Crowd Control qualification. Both of these requirements will result in higher ticket prices, especially for the high profile events which are already expensive to bring to WA. A central Events Calendar and an increase in the value being placed on community events is also part of the current EIA agenda.
2007 has been a year of increased achievement for the Events Industry Association as its vision, focus and commitment to excellence continue to grow.
Since Happenings Events Management’s inception in 1995, Jenny has undertaken a wide variety of events and functions that provide her with the necessary credentials and experience to fulfil the roll as director on the board of the Events Industry Association.
Jenny has natural and inherent interpersonal skills and she has established professional working relationships with many private and corporate organisations as well as the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Offices of the Ministers for Energy, Arts, Tourism and Environment together with many local government bodies.
Jenny is well respected through the industry for her professionalism and hopes to bring to the board a renewed interest in the area of membership and an awareness of the Association in the political arena. Jenny believes the EIA has finally come of age and is well recognised as a sounding board for many professionals in the industry as well as those involved in tourism, music and events of all sizes in Western Australia and Australia in general
Cynthia was until recently the Cultural Services Team Leader at the City of Stirling. She brings to the board many years of local government experience in events management and cultural development. She is now involved in her own business.
Cynthia has a BA in Recreation and Sport Administration and a Grad Dip in Marketing.
Cynthia is passionate about event management and is keen to continue on with the challenge of representing the Events Industry as a Board Member of the EIA.
Walter has a Masters of Arts from Curtin University of Technology and has worked in the cultural sector for over a decade in arts organisations, local government and now State Government. (Office of Multicultural Interests, Department of Premier and Cabinet). He is amember of the Australia Council’s Multicultural Advisory Committee..
He believes there is an opportunity to develop a higher level of integration between the events industry, tourism, cultural policy, public infrastructure and community development. He feels the EIA can lead by developing a higher level of dialogue within the industry and the wider community in order to generate cohesive ideas and agendas for the private and public sectors.
It is essential for the events industry through the EIA to be prepared to have big conversations about the future and welcome ideas, support rigorous debate and serve the aspirations of our members.
A past Chairman of the EIA, I have run major events in WA and around the world for over 20 years. I am also an experienced Public Relations and marketing executive.
Beginning life as a professional actor in Perth I have spent several years in the Army during National Service in the 70s qualifying as an office. Following study at UWA I was recruited and trained by IBM before being appointed their Special Events Manager for nearly 10 years, operating large complex events from Tokyo to Tasmania and from Monte Carlo to Mexico.
Returning to Perth I began Lexmark, then McDaniell Associates, closing the doors in 2001 to travel to and live on a barge in France for 5 years. I have now returned to WA and the Events Industry.
Has been in events industry for last 10 years, Grant started working at the World Rugby Cup in 1995 as PA to production manager for opening and closing ceremony followed by a stint overseas. On return to South Africa he returned to the events industry as the event coordinator for Ocean Action Beach festival (Durban) which was, at the time, the largest beach festival in the world attracting 1.3 million people over the 10-day event. Since living in Perth he has worked with Reeces Hire and Structures and has specialised in the supply of infrastructure to major events.
Siobhan has gathered a broad range of events management experiences during the past five years and its been within this time that she developed her enthusiasm for the events industry. Graduating from ECU with a Bachelor of Communications (PR Major), Siobhan has had the opportunity to work within marketing, public relations and event management both in WA and overseas.
She is currently employed as Festivals and Events Manager at the City of Fremantle and in addition, owns her own business, Travelling Airbrush Tattoo Studio – applying temporary airbrush tattoos to people of all ages at functions and outdoor events.
Siobhan has nominated to join the board to put her expertise and enthusiasm towards strengthening the industry’s profile. She wants to provide a youthful perspective and bring new ideas to the board.
Ross has 13 years experience, firstly as Recreation Centre and Recreation Officer, then as Cultural Development Coordinator.
As Cultural Development Coordinator he currently supervises a small team of Arts Development Officer, 2 Events Officers and Administration staff.
Together they are responsible for coordinating various large community events and festivals throughout the City including Beach to Bush Festival, Summer Concert series, and previously the Youth Festival and concert, 14 local community events under their Safer Citizens” programme, and various art programmes including the annual art award.
In addition, he also provides advice to others in the community wishing to hold an event.
Ian started working at Burswood 5 years ago, starting with the company as Technical Coordinator, and currently fill the role of Entertainment Operations Manager. This role encompasses overall responsibility for operations of Burswood Theatre and Dome as well as other entertainment facilities within the Complex.
Prior to Burswood, he worked as a Sound Engineer for artists such as The Waifs, Spiderbait and Frenzel Rhomb, and operated a small business installing and maintaining sound systems for the nightclub market. He also worked for local sound hire company Audex Concert Sound operating sound for major and minor events. He has 16 years experience in the Events industry, having come from an engineering background and has studied broadly in engineering and management and hold a Diploma In Electronic Engineering. As a manager of venues, Ian feels that Burswood acts as a central hub where many of the transactions which drive the commercial events industry occur. They book artists, hire services and facilities to clients and from other suppliers; we sell tickets and market events. Ultimately, they take responsibility for the safety and welfare of the people who attend and work on events, while they are in the venue.
Pam is currently a Lecturer at Central TAFE, Northbridge teaching in the Diploma of Event Management.
She has been involved in Community Events for most of her working life and that is where her passion for event management evolved.
She is a past Chairperson and member of MEA (Meetings and Events Australia) in South Australia and has held various positions in countless committees Because of this experience, Pam’s skills include submission writing, lobbying local/State Government, governance, membership drives and training and professional development programs. As a trainer, she has an interest in the professional development of the members and feels that she will be able to contribute positively to this program
Having spent many years on the opposite side of the fence as a youth Brad eventually matured and appreciated what only a hard working lifestyle can provide. He began his career in security some 21 years ago specifically in crowd control growing to love the industry. 21 years later he is the Director of A.P.S. which has been trading for almost 8 years and enjoys, in his opinion, the highest reputation in Western Australia having recently won the 2007 Achiever of the Year Award in Security Events Management. He is dedicated to ensuring only the more professional services providers continue to achieve, and that those who are still - even today - taking shortcuts are no longer provided the forum to continue the not so friendly public face he and others like him work so hard to maintain
Mark is a Safety Manager for the events industry in Western Australia. His vast experience in the Events Industry working in the safety and events coordination fields plus his work and training with FESA gives him the skills to cover almost all areas of the Industry. In the past 4 years in his position of Safety Officer, First Aid Officer and Emergency Control Officer he has covered the majority of the major outdoor concerts held in Perth and surrounding major Cities.
His qualifications are through Australian Concert and Entertainment Security covering Risk Management and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of WA covering the areas of Public Safety, Emergency Management, Occupational Health and Safety, Workplace Training and Emergency Rescue.
He currently holds the voluntary Position of Training Manager and is a Skipper of the River rescue patrol boat for the State Emergency Service. He has an Advanced First Aid qualification through St Johns Ambulance, Certificate 4 Workplace Trainer assessor and Certificate 3 Public Safety (Rescue). He is currently studying towards Trainer/Assessor level for Forklifts and Elevated Work Platforms
Darryl Edwards is director of Matrix Productions Australia. He has extensive experience in the events industry, beginning as a musician, promoter and entertainment manager in the local music scene before starting Matrix Productions 17 years ago.
Matrix Productions Australia supplies equipment, staff and service to a wide range of events though out Australia, from those staged by schools, councils and community groups to larger events such as concerts, festivals, openings, expos and corporate events.
Pamela Stratford
Bradley Smith
Mark Melvin
Darryl Edwards – Matrix Productions Australia (Production/Lighting)
