After an outstanding 33-year career in the entertainment industry, Tim Worton, Group Director of Arenas for ASM Global (APAC), is changing pace.

Worton will step away from the industry after 25 years as part of the ASM Global family to pursue a different role, initially as a full-time student in 2025 at Moore Theological College in Sydney for 12 months, with the goal of then working in a pastoral, chaplaincy or ministry role.

A lover of music and live concerts, the veteran of thousands of stage acts and superstars insists the music will not stop when he departs at the end of 2024.

Highly regarded in the venue management and live entertainment world, he has been at the forefront of ASM Global’s live performance venues as Director of the Group’s arenas for the past 19 years.

The announcement of Worton’s career change was made during the 31st Asia Pacific Venue Industry Congress held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC).

ASM Global (APAC) Chairman and Chief Executive, Harvey Lister AM said Tim Worton would be greatly missed as Director of ASM Global’s portfolio of arenas throughout Australia and the Asia Pacific region.

“Tim has been a great ambassador for our organisation. He has made an admirable and life changing decision to follow his faith and we applaud his decision and wish him well.

“Tim’s leadership and executive management of the arena portfolio is demonstrated by the continued growth of the Group’s arenas through innovation and ongoing development of entertainment content for audiences.”

Tim Worton thanked the company and in particular Harvey Lister and Rod Pilbeam for their ongoing support during his time at ASM Global (APAC) and for his decision of a career change.

“The company has given me amazing opportunities that I will always cherish. Harvey has been incredibly supportive of my decision to go in this vastly different direction, allowing flexibility in my role and I am very grateful for his support and encouragement. Rod has been a great mentor to me over my 25 years with ASM Global and I am indebted to him for the important role he has played in my life.”

Reflecting on the highlights during his custodianship of the ASM Global arena portfolio, Worton says they are two-fold. “Helping to ensure there is plenty of live content and the company’s arena network is operationally and financially successful is a key part of my role. What I have loved most about my career is supporting and mentoring colleagues, helping to create opportunities for future development.”

The veteran of thousands of concerts is hard pressed to choose a favourite. “An almost impossible task, if I’m forced to choose, I’d go with Bruce Springsteen.”

Tim Worton says he is incredibly excited to embark on this new journey and hopes that he is able to make a difference in his pastoral role.

Enquiries: Gail Sawyer, Group Communications Manager – ASM Global (Asia Pacific)
M: +61 439 733 509
E: gsawyer@asmglobal.com

Date published: 20 May 2024

ABOUT ASM GLOBAL

ASM Global is the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences. It is the global leader in venue and event strategy and management – delivering locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to achieve maximum results for venue owners. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 350 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X. Visit asmglobal.com

ASM GLOBAL (ASIA PACIFIC)

From its Asia Pacific regional headquarters in Brisbane, Australia, ASM Global operates a network of venues that includes:

  • Entertainment and Indoor Sports Arenas – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney; RAC Arena, Perth; Brisbane Entertainment Centre; Newcastle Entertainment Centre; ICC Sydney Theatre; Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Great Hall; Cairns Arena; Bangkok Arena (under construction) and UOB Live, Bangkok; Coca Cola Arena, Dubai; Kai Tak Sports Park Indoor Arena (under construction), Hong Kong; and Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur;
  • Live Performance Theatres – Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Sydney, Kuala Lumpur and Bahrain;
  • Convention & Exhibition Centres – Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Newcastle, Sydney, Christchurch, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Bahrain and Riyadh;
  • Stadiums – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane; National Stadium at Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur; Kai Tak Sports Park Main Stadium, Hong Kong (under construction); and a part ownership of VenuesLive, the operator of Optus Stadium, Perth
  • King Abdullah Financial District Conference Center, Riyadh
  • Boutique Meeting Facilities in Expo City, Dubai.

For more information, visit asmglobal.com

ABOUT TEG
TEG is a global leader in Live Entertainment, Ticketing and Technology. Every day TEG connects fans to experiences and customers with brands. We are proud partners of some of the world’s largest and most iconic venues as well as leading event promoters globally. TEG operates worldwide out of seven country offices and includes Ticketek, Ticketek Marketplace, Ticketek UK, Ticketek New Zealand, Ticketek Malaysia, Ticketek Philippines, Eventopia, Softix, TEG Live, TEG Dainty, TEG Sport, TEG Van Egmond, Laneway Festival, Handsome Tours, SXSW Sydney, TEG Theatrical, MJR Presents, TEG Lifelike Touring, TEG TES Live, Brickman, TEG Rockefeller, Rugby Live, TEG Europe, Propaganda, TEG USA, Qudos Bank Arena, FAN+, VIP NOW and Ovation.

Set to grace Qudos Bank Arena’s iconic stage for a one-night-only show on Friday, 6 September, Colombian singer J Balvin will deliver an unmissable set. Heading Down Under as part of his Que Bueno Volver a Verte Tour (It’s Good To See You Tour), J Balvin has tapped a special guest for the show and will come armed with an arsenal of his biggest chart-topping hits. The excitement around the pop phenom’s Sydney show is already at a fever pitch, but here are five reasons why you need to get yourself to Qudos Bank Arena on the 6 September.

No-skip setlist

It goes without saying, but J Balvin’s discography is reason enough to see him live. Of course, there’s his staple, billion-streamed hits like ‘Mi Gente’ and ‘LA CANCIÓN’, but the singer’s catalogue also spans five studio albums and collaborations with the likes of Dua Lipa, Cardi B, and Justin Bieber. With such an illustrious catalogue, it’s no wonder J Balvin has sold 35 million records worldwide, and why he’s rightfully crowned the “Prince of Reggaeton”. Sydneysiders simply must bask in this pop royalty come September 6.

Proven stage presence

It’s one thing to have a catalogue of bangers to your name, but bringing them to life with live shows and stage presence is another story. Thankfully, J Balvin has proven to deliver on the latter in spades, having headlined the world’s biggest festivals and embarked on international tours spanning more than 30 dates. More recently, J Balvin appeared at both last year’s Splendour In The Grass and Coachella 2024, the latter of which wowed revellers with a surprise cameo by Will Smith. With such a voluminous tour history under his belt, J Balvin will undoubtedly outdo himself with his Qudos Bank Arena show.  

Phenomenal stage production

Renowned for his themed sets, J Balvin pairs his stage presence with phenomenal live performance production. At Coachella, the singer opted for an alien, galaxy-themed set, which naturally sent his performance into the stratosphere. J Balvin spares no expense when it comes to lighting, sound and stage design, donning elaborate costumes and going toe-to-toe alongside his backup dancers with high-energy choreography. It’s what makes his shows an unmissable experience, and Qudos Bank Arena is sure to accommodate all his wildest visions later this year.

Palpable crowd energy

Have you met better dancers than Colombian music fans? The answer is probably no, and given that J Balvin’s 2023 Australian shows sold out in under 10 minutes, his upcoming performance will be chock-full with an energetic crowd like no other. Qudos Bank Arena is unique in that it maintains an intimate feel while still housing thousands of people, so where better to get up close and personal with J Balvin alongside legions of fellow fans?

Sofi Tukker

If your dancing shoes weren’t already worn out by J Balvin himself, then special guest Sofi Tukker will have them reach the point of no return. The Grammy-nominated duo — who are stars in their own right with smash hits like ‘Purple Hat’ and ‘Drinkee’ — will kick off festivities as the openers of J Balvin’s Qudos Bank Arena show. The electronic duo will come equipped with their most recent album, ‘WET TENNIS’, and their technicoloured aesthetic will be more than enough to dazzle audiences ahead of the main event. 

Get your tickets here!

Mother’s Day is approaching, and while it’d be all-too easy to gift our mums the obvious bouquet of flowers or hundredth pair of pyjamas, the best presents are experience-based. Attending the concert of your mother’s favourite artist or sitting alongside them during a stand-up comedy set is infinitely more memorable than a new pair of socks, which is why Qudos Bank Arena has your Mother’s Day wish list sorted come the 12 of May. 

From the long-awaited return of 90s boy band favourites to the killer sets from the world’s starriest comedians, here’s all the Qudos Bank Arena events that would make perfect gifts this Mother’s Day. Earn ultimate brownie points with ticket’s to an upcoming event in the list below. 

Jerry Seinfeld

Parents the world over look back fondly on Seinfeld, the global juggernaut of a show that defined the 90s and made a star out of the eponymous comic. Now, Jerry Seinfeld will return to audiences following his sold-out Australian shows in 2017, bringing the laughs with a show at Qudos Bank Arena on 16 June 2024. Seinfeld’s brand of observational comedy, spanning the quirks of married life to the hilarity of parenthood, is sure to win over parents this Mother’s Day. Find event and ticketing details here.

Sooshi Mango

Calling all La Familia! Australia’s comedy kings, Sooshi Mango, return with their side-splitting new show ‘Home Made.’ This trio is touring 25 cities across Australia (August-November) with side-splitting family humour and iconic characters. Prepare for laugh-out-loud skits, catchy music, and the return of fan favourites like Johnny and Vince. Get ready for a night of pure comedic joy Saturday 5 October 2024! Find event and ticketing details here.

Ne-Yo

Ne-Yo’s 90s smash hits like ‘Closer’ and ‘Miss Independent’ have filled mums’ playlists for decades, but they’ll get a taste of his trademark croons in the flesh when the iconic musician hits Qudos Bank Arena on 3 October 2024. Dubbed the “Champagne and Roses” tour, the highly-anticipated show is the perfect Mother’s Day date night idea for mum and dad, who’ll no-doubt revel in the tunes from R&b’s shining figurehead. Find event and ticketing details here.

Take That

While he has since exited the band, the lustre of Robbie Williams — every mum’s celebrity crush — lives on in Take That, the beloved 90s boy band who’ll take to the Qudos Bank Arena stage on 7 November 2024. Now comprised of a trio of icons in their own right, namely Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald, Take That’s This Life On Tour show will include tracks from their namesake 2023 album, with assist from ‘Murder On The Dancefloor’ hitmaker and fellow aughties icon Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Find more event and ticketing details here.

Trevor Noah

Trevor Noah has won over audiences of all ages as the host of the Emmy-winning The Daily Show and best-selling author of Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood. Blending his intelligent wit with sharp observations, Noah has found equal success with his stand-up comedy tour, which hits Aussie shores at Qudos Bank Arena on 20 November 2024. This show is sure to sell out, so be quick to grab mum’s tickets for Trevor Noah’s “Off The Record” tour. Find event and ticketing details here.

José Carreras and Plácido Domingo

Two of the most revered legends of opera will join forces at Qudos Bank Arena on 23 November 2024, when icons José Carreras and Plácido Domingo reunite for the “The Legends Together Again, Live in Concert” show. Sitting back and enjoying the classical finesse of opera’s leading men — alongside a 55‐piece orchestra and beloved conductor David Giménez Carreras — is all-but certain to score brownie points for mom. After yet another year of busy parenting, she could use the blissful ambience! Find ticketing and event details here. 

Saturday 4 May 2024

The tour 
The sold-out S.O.S tour from Grammy award winner SZA in April 2024 was supercharged with an extensive selection of brand activations at Qudos Bank Arena, delivering an end-to-end fan experience not to be forgotten. 

The sell-out status of The namesake album is her best to date, earning SZA the record for the largest-ever streaming week for an R&B album in the US and claiming ten non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200 chart. Add in three Grammy wins, and you’ve got an artist whose tour naturally engendered an unprecedented level of hype.  

The activations 
Over the three nights, Qudos Bank Arena, in partnership with the Arena’s in-house activations agency ZU Creative, delivered a brand activation showcase designed to amplify the customer experience, highlighted by activations from partners Asahi Lifestyle Beverages, profiling the new Pepsi Titanium branding, Rimmel London and a double-decker make-over bus and DJ activation/afterparty and BYD car giveaway. Additionally, official Card Partner American Express kept patrons guessing with their ‘More Machine’ offering a range of prizes to lucky Patrons. See afterparty here!

Creating memories 
The excitement didn’t stop as Influencers Sophie Love and Dan Brown collaborated with Rimmel London Australia to upgrade eight fortunate guests, treating them to the luxury of Qudos Bank Arena’s premium Terrace seats. Check out the experience here!

Draft cocktails on demand! 
In collaboration with supplier Diageo Australia, influencer @carbsmakeitokay enhanced the awareness of the Arena’s Draught Cocktails available to event attendees. Lara Severino (31,000 followers) and Qudos Bank Arena (19,400 followers) both shared posts featuring branded hashtags and #DraughtCocktails, creating more awareness of the opportunity available to all patrons. Be sure to watch Lara’s video reel here!  

To find out more about how you can elevate your brand to the next level, contact our Commercial Team here.