Tony Williamson - 2-year term expiring 2020

President

As an independently recognised mentor, seasoned entrepreneur, marketer and leader, Tony brings a softened logical mind, and compassion to all his work with extensive business exposure in the WA market place.

Tony has always been a positive, active businessman, unfailingly attending to client requirements whilst looking to develop and secure new business opportunities. As a Business Professional, few can match his commitment and work ethic.

He brings a set of skills universal to success in providing leadership and training to all facets of business: a natural ability to listen and appreciate someone’s requirements to offer practical solutions in a consultative business to business setting. Tony has excellent communication, negotiation and analytical / comprehension skills.

His strength is his analytical thought process and commercial competence. Tony enjoys leading by example to assist organisations develop a position of strength in the market place. He achieves this through ensuring the development and implementation of strategies and objectives, whilst maintaining budgets and operating administrations.

Tony also enjoys the challenge of ensuring optimal customer service levels are maintained.

Through the knowledge that he has gained through senior roles, Tony naturally focuses on quality with an ease of style that experience brings.

Tony is a master at balancing the hard and the soft skills in life and business.

Hugh Singe - 2-year term expiring 2019

Vice President

Hugh has a background in risk management, safety planning, emergency operations and event health delivery. His experience extends across an array of major events throughout Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States. He has managed health services at major events and venues including music festivals, concerts, sports, mass participation events, obstacle courses, arenas and stadiums.

As the Managing Director of Event Health Management, Hugh provides the unique perspective of a specialist at the front of dynamic changes to the way healthcare and medical services are provided to patrons and stakeholders of events in Western Australia. He is passionate about the support offered to event managers and stakeholders to ensure the best possible event experience is extended to their patrons during times requiring medical and emergency management.

The diversity of Hugh’s background broadens the representation of the board and helps to strengthen the EIA’s position as the peak representative body for Western Australia’s rapidly evolving event industry.

Daniel Aston - 2-year term expiring 2019

Board Member

Daniel Ashton has been involved in the events industry since he was 15 with his mobile DJ business Gravity Entertainment. At the age of 21 he started Boost Mobeel Perth, the world’s first mobile version of Boost Juice. The business has grown quickly and now employs over 40 staff and attends almost all of Perth’s major events.

He has been a member of the EIA since 2004 and has built many professional business relationships over the years. Daniel has grown up in Perth and has also been around most of Australia. In 2008 he won the SBDC Young Entrepreneur award and a 40under40 award. Again in 2012 he won a 40under40 award.

H is Boost Mobeel business has been featured in the state’s major newspapers, Today Tonight and Undercover Boss.

He’s a very passionate and driven individual who looks forward to taking on the challenges that face the events industry at the moment.

Jules Brashaw - 2-year term expiring 2020

Treasurer

Jules is a successful events business owner in Western Australia, having been in the industry for 25 plus years.
 

JD’s Fast foods was launched in 1999, inspired by the lack of competition and high standard in Perth. Julianne put her team management skills, eye for detail and dedication towards the events industry to work to deliver high-quality front of house catering services. Winning seven Commercial Exhibitor awards for design and presentation. Her ability to multitask and problem solve are her strengths.
 

At peak event season employing over 65 staff attending special events, festivals, concerts, and Agricultural Shows across WA.
 

For the past 10 years Julianne has been contracted by promoters and event managers to consult and coordinate, on all aspects of front of house catering. Consistently delivering above and beyond client expectation whilst adapting to the varied patron demographics. Responsible for managing catering for major events such as Future Music Festival, A Day on the Green, PIAF, and the Christmas Pageant.
 

As an industry leader in her field, she is not only passionate about building a great business brand but actively assists and mentor’s other food truck operators, providing assistance and coaching to transition their way into this sometimes-challenging industry.
 

A member of the EIA for the past 5 years and member West Australian Showmen’s Association, with two terms on the committee she is actively involved in various voluntary roles.

Darren Heath - 2-year term expiring 2019

Vice President

The events industry has been Darren’s life for over 25 years. To Darren it is more than a profession, it’s a passion around which he has built his life.

The industry has taken Darren around the world working with supermodels, launching cars, magazines and more. He transforms people’s dreams and visions into tangible fantastic events and assists communicators to get their message across.

As a business owner he is now believes his role is to promote both the industry and its values to clients and to assist the next generation of staff to develop the same passion he has for the events industry.

Jeff Georgiou - 2-year term expiring 2019

Board Member

I am fortunate to have worked in a variety of industries over the course of my 30+ year career; from construction to carpentry, hospitality to events and audio-visual. Audio-visual has always been my passion and I started my first business venture back in 1991; back then we were doing video walls with the old picture tubes. In 2001, I established my current business – Mega Vision Sound and Lighting.

Over the years, Mega Vision has become one of WA’s leading audio-visual providers; we offer equipment hire; design, sales and installation; and production services for events of all sizes and scales. We are also WA’s leading provider of big LED screens; some of our projects have included Perth International Airport, Perth Train Station, Crown Perth, HBF Stadium and a variety of pubs. We have come a long way from the picture tubes!

Having worked in hospitality venues for many years, I have first-hand experience of the industry and understand the demands of event coordination and venue management. I have managed pubs, bars and clubs and dealt with all aspects of running a venue– from coordinating security personnel and staff, through to logistics, day-to-day operations and event planning and operation. This experience, along with my carpentry and construction background, has given me the insight and confidence to take on any project. I am fortunate that Mega Vision is surrounded with people with purpose, knowledge and integrity; that is incredibly valuable to me and one of the many reasons why I still love doing what I do today.

Freya Ayliffe - 2-year term expiring 2020

Board Member

My qualifications and experience are unique in Western Australia and nationally significant by virtue of my previous role as Senior Events Specialist for the City of Perth (Environmental Health Officer), event capital of Western Australia and my current role as Manager of Compliance and Regulatory Services, which includes the role of Principal Environmental Health officer with the Town of Cottesloe. With over ten years’ experience, I have been responsible for overseeing over 400 event approvals annually, many of these of national significance, including multi agency programs and events attracting over 200,000 patrons.

I have strengthened my experience with further educational fields of interest, including leadership, Occupational Health and Safety and crowd science. I pride myself in being confident when executing all aspects of public health and safety, and demonstrate expertise in events. I have advanced people and leadership skills and further hope to enhance my transferable and unique skills set working on an international platform one day.

What do you believe you can contribute to the Board of the EIA?
I have over ten years’ experience in government, with exceptional expertise in events, specializing in stakeholder relations, statutory approvals and crowd management.

I believe I can significantly contribute to the Board of EIA from a local government perspective, providing advice to all members from ‘the other side’, including providing specialist advice on statutory approvals for different types of events and why they are required, relevant legislation applicable to events, deliver relevant training/presentations and more.

Michael Scott - 2-year term expiring 2019

Board Member

Michael Scott was appointed General Manager of Perth Arena after successfully fulfilling a senior management position at the 550 million dollar venue during its highly anticipated opening.

As one of Australia’s leading venue professionals, Mr Scott has held senior leadership roles at a number of outdoor stadia, performing arts theatres, race courses, airports and five star hotels and now an entertainment arena, in a successful career spanning over 25 years.

A well-known and respected Western Australian, Mr Scott is an active board member for two training institutions and is President of the Tourism Branch of the Australian Hotels Association – WA Division, as well as Committee Member of the International Wine and Food Society – WA Branch.

Mr Scott is also a member of the Venue Management Association, Meetings Events Australia as well as the Perth Convention Bureau.

Graham Cole - 2-year term expiring 2019

Board Member

I’m a hands on sales and marketing professional who is passionate about delivering great customer service and positive business outcomes. My work history spans over 30 years in various management roles, with large multi-national corporations, an international franchise chain and small locally run businesses.

 have a proven sales aptitude that includes outstanding negotiation and communication skills, with emphasis on customer satisfaction and retention, the ability to interpret analytical data and problem solve and present to internal and external stakeholders.

What can you contribute to the Association?

Organised and diligent with a comprehensive background in sales, planning, budgeting, employee management, trade practice and customer contact strategies, I can bring ideas and experiences that will make a positive differenceI’m equally passionate about businesses being active within their communities and in my role at Quality Press, I have developed partnerships with a wide range of business and associations, such as Lifeline WA, Chamber of Arts & Culture WA, Perth Convention Bureau, Events Industry Association, Pride WA, Perth International Jazz Festival, Food Truck Rumble, Jump Climb Events – Beauvine, Noodle Palace, Beaufort St Festival, Fairbridge Festival, Open House Perth, Truffle Kerfuffle.

Quality Press also provides sponsorship support to the Revelation Film Festival and Telethon Community Cinemas.

Kylie Dalton - 2-year term expiring 2019

Board Member

I have been in Marketing for over 28 years. Beginning my career in Public Relations as the first female to get in to the Public Relations Armed Corps, I enjoyed the challenge of crossing barriers and boundaries many times during my stay in the Australian Army, and believe that it set me up well for my future in business.

After many years within corporate organisations leading and driving my teams from the front I wanted to see that experience fold into my own company. Starting Absolute Edge Media in 2010 I have seen the growth of the digital world and especially social media marketing.

The opportunities to drive branding and sales for events through social media is exciting and fast paced. The knowledge I have for this industry will not only serve my clients but helps with all of my volunteer work.

What can you contribute to the Association?

Having sat on two boards previously and working with clients that require board presentations I feel I could contribute with knowledge and understanding of how the EIA can grow. I would bring my networks and connections as well as my industry experience in the field of events. And I play well with others.

Tim Kennedy - 2-year term expiring 2020

Board Member

I joined Kott Gunning in 2018 after 12 years in general practice with CS Legal and Tang Legal.

My practice has revolved primarily around contractual disputes, trade practices matters and property disputes. I also have extensive experience with cyber fraud related matters.
I act for wide range of clients, including individuals, small business, large corporations and local government and I appear frequently in the Supreme Court, District Court, Magistrates Court and State Administrative Tribunal as well as all federal courts and has also appeared interstate on a number of occasions.
 

Outside of the law I have been heavily involve in sportings clubs, particularly lacrosse clubs, at a state and club level. I also run a lacrosse network which has over 5,000 followers.
 

Prior to becoming a lawyer, I worked in the hospitality and events industry as a glassy, yardie and nightclub promoter. This combined with my legal qualifications to see me advising nightclubs on liquor licence issues as well as oversee contractual arrangements between a local promoter and an interstate promoter which secured the rights to host Stereosonic at the Claremont Showgrounds.

What can you contribute to the Association?

My practical experience in the hospitality and events industry, as well as my legal training, will hopefully bring a different perspective to the EIA.

Mandi Parker - 2-year term expiring 2020

Board Member

Want to Contribute to the Events Industry - Speak to the President

Ray Bird

Executive Officer

Ray joined the EIA as the part-time Executive Officer in April 2018. His experience in the tourism  industry spans over 40 years including roles as Director of Marketing at WA Department of Tourism / Tourism Commission, followed by Managing Director at News Research and Principal of the Tourism and Business Consulting company, Ray Bird and associates and the Perth based Professional Conference Organiser business, Meeting Masters.

As a highly respected business manager, Ray was recognised for his contribution to the industry by being awarded the Sir David Brand Medal in 1989.

Ray brings a wealth of administrative experience from both the public and private sectors plus a successful career in the Army Reserve achieving the rank of Major and commanding the Artillery Unit at Karrakatta.