Founder steps back from ASM Global leadership

Global venue management and services company ASM Global, has announced Rod Pilbeam (pictured), one of the founders of ASM Global (APAC), will step back as chief operating officer (COO) to a part-time role from July 2022. Pilbeam and Harvey Lister, chairman and CEO of ASM Global (APAC), first went into business together in the mid-1970s presenting concert tours around Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, and took on their first formal venue operation at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Brisbane in 1982.  Forty years later, the company employs some 20,000 people in 40 venues across the Middle East, East Asia, Australia and New Zealand. During that period, Pilbeam has been an advocate for maintaining the integrity and public’s perception of the live event marketplace, particularly in relation to the fair availability of tickets and the suppression of scalping/illegal touting. He also worked on the development of Live Performance Australia’s Ticketing Code of Conduct. Pilbeam commented: “I’m gratified to have had the opportunity to be part of the development of a strong entertainment business that provides a lot of pleasure for many people in the communities we serve, as well as the business outcomes that are so important for venue owners, artists, performers, players, presentation professionals and the myriad of others who make this business work.” Lister commented: “Rod’s contribution to the growth of our business, and to the maturing of the venue industry, is immeasurable. Rod is simply a giant of our industry with achievements too many to mention but, above all, he is a great friend and mentor to all who have worked with him.” Bob O’Keeffe, general manager at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) for nearly 30 years, will take up the role of COO of venue operations at ASM Global (APAC) as well as continuing in the newly created role of CEO at BCEC.