New key appointments at The Edge®
The Edge®, New Zealand's premier performing arts, entertainment and conference centre, today announced the appointment
of a new Director of Sales and Marketing, a new Operations Director, and a new Event Services Manager.
The appointments are the result of a rigorous selection process and broad consultation, according to The Edge® CEO, Greg
Innes.
“We have spread our net as widely as possible,” says Mr Innes, “and we are delighted with the excellence of all our new
appointees. We believe we have found the best of the best.”
The new appointees are:
Grace Tsang – The Edge® Director of Sales and Marketing
Grace comes to The Edge® from the position of National Marketing Manager for Westfield NZ where she was responsible for
marketing Westfield’s 11 shopping centres nationwide.
Prior to that, she headed the marketing team at Natural Gas Corporation, marketing electricity, natural gas, and LPG to
customers nationwide. Her career also includes senior executive and management positions at TransAlta, Power NZ, and
Westpac Banking Corporation.
As The Edge® Director of Sales and Marketing, Grace will be responsible for developing and implementing marketing
strategies to promote The Edge® and the Auckland Convention Centre as globally competitive venues, not only for domestic
and international conferences, but also for domestic and international performing arts and entertainment product.
Managing a large team including sales and marketing staff and contractors, Grace will also control and develop ‘The
Edge®’ brand and develop new product opportunities to maximise utilisation of The Edge®’s facilities and services.
Tim Dowson – The Edge® Operations Director
Tim Dowson brings 22 years of experience in the theatre and events industry to the position of Operations Director. He
has worked for The Edge® since 1998 when he project managed the extensive $40 million refurbishment of Auckland’s Civic
Theatre.
More recently, Tim has fulfilled the position of Property and Project Manager for all of The Edge®’s venues – including
the Aotea Centre, Auckland Town Hall, and The Civic – in which he was responsible for all issues of asset management and
relationship management with Auckland City Council Property Group.
As The Edge® Operations Director, Tim will be responsible for the successful delivery of all operations activities
within The Edge®’s venues. He will also develop and implement operations systems designed to ensure the ongoing
efficiency of The Edge®’s service delivery, and manage a large full-time and casually employed workforce.
Frank Bischoff – The Edge® Event Services Manager
For the last three years, Frank Bischoff has held the position of Food and Beverage Manager at the Melbourne Exhibition
and Convention Centre, a venue which won Best Congress Centre of the Year 2000 Worldwide largely due to the quality of
its catering. Prior industry experience includes positions as Director of Food and Beverage at the Hyatt Regency Baku in
Azerbaijan, the Hyatt Regency Tahiti, and the Hyatt Regency Pusan in South Korea.
As The Edge® Event Services Manager, Frank will be charged with developing a culture of service excellence in the
front-of-house, and food and beverage areas of The Edge®’s operations. The position reports to Tim Dowson as Operations
Director, and includes the design and implementation of systems to improve the service culture measured by annual
surveys and internal audits.