Benjamin Gibbons

As a valuable member of the Venue Operations Team, I played a pivotal role in supporting a team of professionals to ensure optimal outcomes for our customers. My responsibilities included overseeing the day-to-day operations of Blundstone Arena, ensuring its compliance and efficient functioning. I took charge of planning and executing world-class events for Cricket, AFL, and special occasions at the venue.

In addition to managing tenant relationships, I also handled facility maintenance, compliance issues, and contractor coordination. I assumed a leadership role within the Venue Operations team, providing direction and guidance to ensure the overall success of our operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage day-to-day operations of the arena.
• Supervise and ensure successful delivery of the events program.
• Assist in meeting department requirements aligned with long-term business goals.
• Contribute to the development of department strategies.
• Develop and maintain the department’s annual budget with the venue manager for various events and for the venue, ensuring activities and operational costs stay within budgetary parameters.
• Handle recruitment, management, and development of reporting employees, including performance reviews, training, and workload management.
• Liaise with onsite tenants (Clarence Football Club, North Melbourne Football Club, Netball Tasmania, AFL Tasmania, Sports Ready, and Hurricanes Cafe) for day-to-day operational needs, event capacity, tenancy agreements, and monthly invoicing.
• Collaborate with the local council and a resident representative to ensure arena operations comply with lease guidelines and maintain respect for residents.
• Manage event personnel overlay, including security, ushers, gate staff, medical teams, broadcast setup, traffic control, ticketing providers, equipment hire, signage companies, cleaners, police, and Tasmanian fire services.
• Support event and team management of visiting clubs and organizations to ensure the venue is ready for game day, covering tasks like venue cleanliness, change room setup, corporate space preparation, ground readiness, and permit coordination.
• Oversee OH&S standards, venue maintenance, and contractor and venue compliance using LinkFM for both non-event and event days.
• Assist finance with budgets and invoicing for major events and local games at the arena
• Support the conferencing team with day to day operations
• Manage the operation of the food and beverage, curating, venue, and library team.
• Monitor and update the arena’s website.
• Oversee the tender process for new services at the venue.
• Collaborate and build relationships with the Cricket Tasmania team, including finance, commercial, playing and coaching team, executive, and the board.
• Collaborate with AFL, Cricket Australia, and other international sporting organizations to ensure strict adherence to the official rules and regulations governing the respective games.

Achievements:

• Successfully executed the Vodafone 5th Test Match at Hobart from the 14th Jan 2022.
• Successfully executed the ICC Men’s World Cup from the 17th October to the 24th October 2022, featuring four double-header game days.
• Lead on the tender process for a major overhaul of the security system and gate and turnstile upgrade for the arena.

As the Venue Operations Manager, I played a pivotal role in overseeing the transition from the development phase to the opening of the venue. My responsibilities encompassed both the operational and design aspects of the business. Commencing my journey with the JackJumpers at their city office before transitioning to the Arena, I gained valuable insights into the intricacies of the sporting industry and developed a newfound passion for event management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Led the recruitment process by conducting interviews and actively contributing to the selection of a skilled and proficient team, which involved crafting comprehensive job descriptions for various positions.
• Produced and implemented comprehensive operational procedures and policies to ensure the smooth functioning of the venue.
• Managed the tender process for services to the business, ensuring the selection of optimal service providers.
• Collaborated with Ticketek, event booking system Priarva, and SwiftPOS to oversee the installation of software and hardware in the venue.
• Provided essential information and support to the website and app development team, actively participating in the maintenance of these platforms.
• Designed menus, set up kiosks, and conducted training sessions for staff on kiosk operations.
• Ordered and organised merchandise for the JackJumpers shop at the Arena.
• Assisted in the early stages of conception of NBL games at the Silverdome in Tasmania.
• Worked closely with naming rights partners to ensure effective promotion of the brand.
• Maintained ongoing collaboration with the LK Group management to ensure alignment with overall organizational goals.
• Spearheaded the identification and engagement of suppliers, encompassing cleaners, AV specialists, catering services for large functions and events, packaging providers, and gardeners, ensuring a robust network of reliable partners for diverse operational needs.
• Throughout this journey, my role was characterised by a multifaceted approach, involving collaboration with various stakeholders, meticulous planning, and hands-on involvement in diverse operational aspects.

Achievements:

• Help redevelopment and open Tasmania’s largest capacity and most versatile indoor entertainment venue in Tasmania.

As the Business Engagement Officer, I collaborate with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders to execute the initiatives outlined in a comprehensive business engagement plan. This plan, developed in consultation with the Glenorchy City small business community and residents through the Beyond the Curtain campaign, is designed to address identified needs and leverage available resources. In this capacity, I ensure alignment with the goals outlined in Council's Community Strategic Plan by coordinating with all Council Departments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Foster the active participation of local businesses in Glenorchy Municipality by encouraging involvement in business, tourism, and industry associations, thereby enhancing capacity and leadership.
• Curate and disseminate a monthly e-newsletter to businesses registered on the Activity City website, providing valuable information such as planning updates, grant opportunities, upcoming business events within the city, and insights into council decisions.
• Oversee communication efforts and maintain the Activity City website and social media accounts. This involves crafting engaging Facebook posts, producing and updating news articles and stories, as well as entering and updating business information on the Activity City Directory.
• Take charge of designing flyers and pamphlets for projects within the Economic Development and City Strategy team, ensuring visually appealing and effective communication.
• Conduct surveys among businesses, particularly focusing on their experiences and needs in the context of Covid-19, and report findings to the Coordinator of Economic Development, contributing valuable insights into how businesses perceive and receive support.
• Prepare correspondence and documentation related to grants using the Smarty Grants platform, facilitating smooth and efficient processes in securing funding for various initiatives.
• Stay abreast of pertinent information in the realm of economic development and proactively disseminate it among local businesses as needed. This involves active communication with the Hume business community, keeping them informed about available programs, funding grants, and schemes.
• Cultivate and sustain robust relationships with key stakeholders, such as local businesses, councils, and business, tourism, and industry associations, fostering collaborative partnerships.
• Manage the administration of grants and oversee payments for Showcase and City Scape Phase 1, ensuring efficient and accurate processing of financial transactions.

Contributed to the day-to-day operations of the DEC, orchestrating events, conferences, and exhibitions of various scales either as part of a team or in a leadership capacity.

Key Responsibilities:

• Developed departmental rosters to ensure optimal coverage for business needs.
• Managed stock control processes.
• Oversaw ticketing activities, including builds, sales, and collaboration with the client manager.
• Implemented budgetary controls and met key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Maintained the Derwent Entertainment Centre website and managed social media accounts.
• Conducted staff training, including the creation and implementation of training programs.
• Manage event personnel overlay, including security, ushers, gate staff, medical teams, broadcast setup, traffic control, ticketing providers, equipment hire, signage companies, cleaners, police, and Tasmanian fire services.
• Be the first point of contact with local, interstate and international hirers. Prepared quotes and assist with budgets for larger events.
• Liaise with the hirer and the ticketing company for ticket builds.
• Orchestrated the planning process for events from conception to completion.

Achievements:

• Elevated to the role of Assistant Venue Manager in October 2018, stepping into the position after 14 months in the Food & Beverage Supervisor role.
• Successful executed the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Elton John concerts during my employment.