AusLeisure

AEG Ogden Chairman and Chief Executive, Harvey Lister has expressed his excitement at the Australian venue managers becoming part of the new ASM Global international venue management business.

Announced overnight in the USA, ASM Global has been formed by a merger of AEG Facilities and SMG, two of the world’s largest managers of sport and entertainment venues, creating a new, standalone global facility management and venue services company covering more than 310 facilities.

Locally AEG Ogden, a joint venture between AEG Facilities and Australian investors, will become part of the ASM stable, with convention and exhibition centres that it manages - including Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, the Brisbane Entertainment Centre and adjacent Sports Centre, the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, RAC Arena in Perth, and Dubai Arena (opening April 2019) as well as Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium - becoming part of the group.

Lister is highly positive about the merger, saying it will be a true “game changer” for the venue industry in Australia, New Zealand and Asia, delivering significant positive outcomes to operations at AEG Ogden venues.

As Lister advises, the Brisbane-based business has a long association with ASM Global’s constituents, having been in a joint venture with AEG since 2007. Prior to that, as Ogden IFC, its joint venture was with venues and services company, the Ogden Corporation, which was later acquired by SMG.

In addition, AEG Ogden has had close dealings Bob Newman, President of AEG Facilities, who will become President and Chief Executive of ASM Global, and Wes Westley, SMG’s Chief Executive, who will join the new company's board of directors.

Having briefed AEG Ogden staff earlier today, Lister is particularly enthusiastic about the opportunities it will offer team members across the group’s “family of venues in this part of the world.”

Lister advised “I’m very positive about how staff will be able to develop across the group’s venues globally and what that will mean for their careers.

“This will provide terrific opportunities for managers.”

With no overlap between AEG Facilities and SMG’s activities in the areas in which AEG Ogden operates - Australia and New Zealand as well as the Middle East/North Africa, Asia and the western Pacific - Lister adds “we will be having a look to see what makes sense for us to operate within our family venues in this part of the world.”

As for the AEG Ogden brand, Lister concedes that is likely to change.

He explains “the process of creating the SMG Global brand included ensuring that the name hadn’t already been registered in the territories in which it will operate and now we will look at a change of name for the business locally.”

First published on Friday 8th February 2019, but updated with quotes from Harvey Lister as of Monday 11th February 2019.

Images: Harvey Lister is named an 'industry legend' at the 2017 Australian Tourism Awards (top) and AEG Facilities' Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California, USA (below).

Related Articles

8th February 2019 - AEG Facilities and SMG announce merger to create global venue management giant

31st January 2019 - Qudos Bank Arena welcomes more than a million people in 2018

30th January 2019 - Australian venues rank highly in growing 2018 international concert business earnings

6th November 2018 - Dubai Arena on schedule to open in 2019

25th October 2018 - Suncorp Stadium to host eight fixtures in one weekend in NRL ‘Magic Round’

21st September 2018 - P!NK sets new ticket sales record at Qudos Bank Arena

20th August 2018 - RAC secures Perth Arena naming rights

16th July 2018 - Australasian venues strong performers in Pollstar’s Mid-Year concert rankings

10th May 2018 - Queensland Government commits $5 million to develop ‘Brisbane Live’ business case

16th March 2018 - AEG Ogden applauds Queensland Police arrests ahead of Brisbane Ed Sheeran concerts

19th May 2017 - AEG Facilities accounts for 50% of ticket sales in top 10 global arenas

25th February 2017 - Sovereign Hill the top attraction, Harvey Lister named industry legend at Australian Tourism Awards

23rd April 2016 - AEG Ogden Convention Centre Leader Recognised for Excellence

29th February 2016 - AEG Ogden linked consortium planning new $400 million Brisbane entertainment venue

26th August 2015 - AEG Ogden secures Suncorp Stadium Management Rights until 2020

11th August 2015 - AEG Ogden completes management team at ICC Sydney

2nd September 2013 - AEG Ogden announces new General Manager for the Darwin Convention Centre

10th November 2012 - Harvey Lister honoured at Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards

17th October 2012 - AEG Ogden arenas shine on the world stage

20th June 2012 - Newcastle Entertainment Centre celebrates 20 years of success

25th July 2008 - AEG Ogden Gets International Awards

14th December 2007 - Ogden IFC attracts AEG investment to become AEG Ogden

---

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.