Rod Pilbeam, one of the founders of the business now operating as ASM Global (APAC), will step back as chief operating officer to a part-time role from July, it has been announced.
Pilbeam first went into business with Harvey Lister in the mid-1970s, presenting concert tours in Queensland and New South Wales before taking on their first formal venue operation at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Brisbane in 1982.
ASM Global (APAC) now employs 20,000 people in 40 venues across the Middle East, East Asia, Australia and New Zealand. ASM Global has a network of more than 350 venues around the world.
Pilbeam has played a key role in the development of the company and has fought to maintain the integrity and the public’s perceptions of the live event marketplace, particularly in relation to the fair availability of tickets and the suppression of scalping. Pilbeam has also worked on the development of Live Performance Australia’s Ticketing Code of Conduct.
Bob O’Keeffe, general manager at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC), will take up the role of chief operations officer – venue operations for ASM Global (APAC). He will also continue in the newly-created role of chief executive at the BCEC.
Pilbeam said: “I am 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.
“At ASM Global, we have teams of the best professionals in our industry focused on delivering successful outcomes for all stakeholders. I have also had the opportunity to make great contacts around the world who have provided extraordinary assistance and often enduring friendships throughout my career. My wife Judy and I are keen to rekindle some of these relationships now that COVID has eased.”
Pilbeam formerly served as president of the Venue Management Association (Asia & Pacific) and also served on the World Council of Venue Management, the International Association of Venue Managers, the International Ticketing Association and the Public Venue Management School in Australia. He has also served as a member of the Executive Council of Live Performance Australia.
Lister said: “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.
“We have enjoyed a great business partnership where we shared the same business morals, stuck to what we believed were the right things to do and our thoughts were so aligned that Rod and I can still finish each other’s sentences – even after nearly half a century in one of the most challenging sectors of the events industry.
“Rod will continue to be my great friend and we are so fortunate that, in stepping back from those 80+ hour working weeks, Rod has agreed to transition to be our group director of venue and event innovation – two of his enduring passions, maintaining his presence in the APAC regional headquarters in Brisbane.”
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