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The Venue Management Association (VMA) has revealed that it has hosted a record number of students this week for its 2018 Venue Management School (VMS) and the Leadership Institute (LI).

Held in the northern NSW town of Kingscliff, the Venue Management School, a two-year program, accommodated a total of 96 students and the Leadership Institute reached its maximum capacity of 16 students.

VMS Chair Wayne Middleton CVE, commented “the VMS offers an incredible opportunity for emerging leaders in the venue management industry to gain comprehensive knowledge which provides insights into problems and solutions across different departments, projects, and sectors. We’re thrilled to be providing this knowledge to so many new students this year.”

The VMS features workshops, discussions and presentations to explore 35 topics essential to the venue industry. Celebrating 25 years of learning, the VMS is the only industry run school of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region and has welcomed more than 900 students. The VMA Leadership Institute was introduced in 2014 to provide additional professional development for senior managers to executives looking to enhance their leadership ability and prepare to take on a larger role within their organisation. Accepting only 16 students a year, the LI consists of seven in-depth sessions focusing on leadership skills specific to the venue industry.

Leadership Institute Chair Anthony Duffy AVM, advised “with five years under our belt, it is fantastic to see the VMA Leadership Institute achieved full enrolment this year. Students dived deep this week to gain new-found confidence, leadership skills and a network of like-minded managers.”

Students also participated in a number of activities throughout the week designed to increase their professional network including a Welcome Dinner, Trivia Night, Dinner with the International Guest Instructor, and more. Year 2 VMS students and LI students will be honoured at tonight’s Graduation Dinner celebrating their completion of the educational programs. The Graduation Dinner will also see scholarships awarded to two students.

The top-performing Year 1 student will receive the VMS USI (Ungerboeck) Bursary covering full student fees for Year 2 of the VMS course. A Year 2 student who demonstrates achievement in a range of assessment criteria will receive the AEG Ogden Scholarship Award­­ which provides enrolment and travel to the International Association of Venue Manager’s Graduate Institute program in the USA.

This year’s School welcomed enrolments from all states and territories with record numbers from New Zealand and a strong presence from across the Asia-Pacific region. Representing more than 65 venues and organisations, the students, who along with the instructors, brought, shared and enhanced their collective perspective and experience of the venue management industry.

VMA President, Steve Harper CVE concluded “the School embodies the camaraderie, the energy and enthusiasm for our great industry.

“The sharing of knowledge, the professional networks and the career-defining friendships are why many of us are drawn to the VMS and to the VMA.”

Image: Lectures at the 2018 School.

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