The Next Stage: The Official VMA Podcast

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The Next Stage is the podcast where we turn up the lights on the future of venue management. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, this is your go-to source for the latest trends, innovations and best practices in the venue and events management industry. The Next Stage is presented by the Venue Management Association - your backstage pass to the future of venue management.

  1. May 5

    Episode 15: Todd Dyer on Challenging the Status Quo.

    Todd Dyer is the Vice President and Head of Sports and Live Entertainment Sales at Cast and Crew Entertainment. His career has traversed pretty much every inch of the live entertainment industry. Joel and Todd discuss his efforts to influence change and innovation, what it takes to keep clients onside during the tough times, and how sometimes the most difficult competitor is existing ideas.

  2. Apr 14

    Episode 14: Houri Tapiki on Customer Experience

    In this episode, VMA CEO Joel Edmondson speaks with Houri Tapiki, General Manager of Theatre Royal Sydney and VMA’s Venue Professional of the Year, about her career journey and philosophy on leadership and customer experience. Houri traces her path from a casual ticketing call-centre role at Ticketek through major responsibilities in sports (Rugby Australia), international experience building Dubai Opera, and ultimately returning to Australia to run Theatre Royal Sydney under Trafalgar Entertainment. She reflects on stewarding a historic venue celebrating its 50th anniversary and managing a long pipeline of major productions, while explaining why customer experience—removing friction, showing genuine empathy, and making a night out “worth leaving the couch for”—sits at the heart of her approach.

  3. 12/02/2025

    Episode 13: Sean Coyle on Operating a World-Class Venue.

    Sean Coyle is the Senior Manager, Premium Guest Experience at SoFi Stadium. He shares his experience delivering one of the world's busiest events programs at one of the world's most ambitious venues, including his journey from industry beginner to venue leader.

  4. 09/15/2025

    Episode 12: Terrence Trujillo on Fan Engagement

    Terrence Trujillo is the Director of Commercial for Qudos Bank Arena and a superfan of all things live entertainment. He is deeply passionate about the role that venues can play in elevating the fan experience. Join Terrence and Joel for a conversation about the art and science of fan engagement, with a special focus on the role of data in helping us understand and program for new and emerging markets.

  5. 09/04/2025

    Episode 11: Craig McMaster on community engagement in venue development

    Craig McMaster is the Director of Riverside Theatre, Western Sydney's premier performing arts facility. The theatre, based in Parramatta, is in the early stages of a $276m development. Craig and Joel discuss the power of authentic community engagement to a meaningful design outcome.

  6. 08/06/2025

    Episode 10: Adam Cheyne on the Power of Sport in the Sustainability Movement

    Adam Cheyne is the CEO of the Sports Environment Alliance (SEA). Adam and Joel wax lyrical on the power of sport to drive behaviour change, the potential of gamification and competition to inspire more sustainable business practice, and the importance of networks to the climate change movement.

  7. 07/30/2025

    Episode 9: Michael Roberts on Growing our Venue Security Workforce

    This week, Joel catches up with Michael Roberts, Associate (Resilience, Security and Risk) at Arup. Michael's decades working across the world in senior safety and security positions - including Head of Security for the Australian Olympic Team for Paris 2024 - have lead him to the role of Chair, Institute of Venue Safety and Security for the VMA. Joel and Michael discuss the changing global security landscape and what it means for the task of developing the next generation of venue safety and security leaders.

  8. 07/22/2025

    Episode 8: Kym Guesdon on Venue Leadership

    The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre has just turned 30. Kym and Joel discuss her years at the venue, with a special focus on the changing nature of venue leadership.

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The Next Stage is the podcast where we turn up the lights on the future of venue management. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, this is your go-to source for the latest trends, innovations and best practices in the venue and events management industry. The Next Stage is presented by the Venue Management Association - your backstage pass to the future of venue management.

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