MELBOURNE, Australia — Veteran live entertainment professional Meagan (Meg) Walker will join ASM Global (APAC) later this year as director of the arena group.
Effective October 10, ASM Global will join the venue management specialist from Live Nation, with responsibility for the company's arena network in Australia, while supporting other arena venues in the region, a statement said, with a focus on event acquisition, operational design for the best hands-on patron experience and event delivery.
Walker's CV includes senior management roles at some of Australia's most successful venues including Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, John Cain Arena and Palais Theatre.
In her new role, Walker replaces Tim Whartonwho announced his retirement earlier this year.
“Meg's depth and scale of experience operating major events and live entertainment is the perfect fit to lead our portfolio of world-class arenas, frequently featured in Billboard, Pollstar and Rolling Stone,” ASM president and CEO APAC. Harvey Lister he says.
“Both Meg Walker and Tim Worton have long been recognized as industry legends and we are so fortunate to have their expertise and professionalism as part of our management team.
“Meg has proven to be a well-rounded events professional with strategic and collaborative leadership skills.”
One of Walker's great talents, says Lister, is the ability to mentor the next generation of aspiring venue managers, which will be a key part of her role to support the company's continued growth.
The company is currently enjoying “exponential growth and development” for its portfolio of entertainment venues in Australia, the Asia Pacific and MENA regions. Worldwide, ASM Global operates over 400 venues on five continents.
“I look forward to contributing to the continued strong performance and growth of the ASM Global portfolio, working with all stakeholders and supporting the team to achieve their personal and professional goals,” adds Walker, “while ensuring a reputation for best practice in the world . .”
Worton, meanwhile, is leaving the live entertainment industry for a new career. As previously mentioned, he will be leaving ASM Global at the end of the year, at which time he will enter 12 months of full-time study at Moore Theological College, Sydney. When completed, Worton will look to work in a pastoral, priest or ministry role.
Sydney-based Worton has logged 33 years in the entertainment industry, including 25 years with ASM Global (formerly AEG Ogden). For the past 19 years, he has served as an arena group director of event management specialists for APAC. Worton will work with Walker during the transition.
