CAST x VMA Congress Excursion: Connecting Startups with the Future of Venues
Grab a ticket
22nd-24th June
ICC Sydney
In Person
Join CAST at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Venue Industry Congress
The Centre for Arts, Sports, and Technology (CAST) is heading to the Asia-Pacific Venue Industry Congress (VMA Congress), taking place at ICC Sydney from June 22-24, 2025. This exclusive excursion is an opportunity for startups and scaleups to gain firsthand insights into the future of venue management, connect with key industry decision-makers, and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
Our Guests you connect with:
Andrew Reid–General Manager, Ovation/Ticketek
Malu Barrios–General Manager, New Projects, ICC Sydney.
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CONGRESS SCHEDULE
GRAB YOUR TICKETS
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Why Attend?
CAST’s VMA Congress Excursion is designed for founders and teams working in entertainment, venue technology, and fan engagement who want to:
🎤 Hear from top industry leaders during the Congress sessions.
🤝 Connect directly with venue decision-makers through CAST-facilitated networking opportunities.
📢 Gain insights into innovation trends shaping the future of stadiums, arenas, and entertainment venues.
🍽️ Attend exclusive CAST events, including a private CAST session with VMA members and a CAST member dinner.
What’s Included?
CAST x VMA Excursion Package
🔹 $3,900 AUD (excluding accommodation) or $5,000 AUD (including accommodation)
What’s Included?
CAST x VMA Excursion Package
🔹$3,900 AUD or $5,000 AUD (including accommodation)
✅ Full VMA Congress Ticket– Three-day access to all sessions, networking events, and the Venue Industry Awards & Gala Dinner. (val. $2585)
✅ Private Founder Session with VMA Members– Exclusive opportunity to engage directly with Andrew Reid–General Manager, Ovation/Ticketek & Malu Barrios–General Manager, New Projects, ICC Sydney.
✅ CAST Private Dinner — Where Founders, Investor & Industry.
✅ Inclusion in our CAST Digital Zine- Distributed as part of the innovation session meet up.
Accommodation (Optional)
🏨 Sofitel Darling Harbour – Official partner hotel for the VMA Congress.
📌 Accommodation Package Includes:
Three nights in a superior room with a king-size bed
Daily breakfast for one guest
Free Wi-Fi
💰 Total Cost (Including CAST Excursion & Accommodation): $5,000 AUD (inc GST)
Who Should Attend?
This excursion is ideal for entertainment startups and scaleups innovating in:
Fan engagement technology
Venue operations & management solutions
Ticketing & event experience platforms
AI, data, and analytics for live entertainment
Immersive & interactive entertainment technology
Payments, WEB3
Why Now?
The entertainment and venue industries are rapidly evolving, with technology playing a critical role in shaping the future of fan experiences. By attending the VMA Congress with CAST, you'll gain invaluable insights, make high-impact connections, and position your startup at the forefront of venue innovation.
Schedule
📅 MONDAY
8:00–9:00 AM — CAST Founders Breakfast
☕ Kick off Congress with coffee and conversations. This relaxed breakfast is a chance to meet fellow CAST founders, share ideas, and set the tone for the week.
📍 ICC Sydney Meeting Rooms
7:30 PM till Late — CAST Private Dinner
🍽️ An invite-only evening connecting founders, investors & industry leaders.
Special guest: Dan Coughlan, Investment Manager at AirTree and OCOG Committee Member for Brisbane 2032.
Dan’s also a music lover with a soft spot for old-school rock and early 2000s grunge.
📍 Location shared upon RSVP | 🎟️ Invitation only
📅 TUESDAY
9:00–10:00 AM — Venue Tech Meetup
🔧 Hosted by VMA Innovation Partner Momentus Technologies + CAST.
A networking session for venue pros and startups exploring the future of venue tech.
Includes pitches from CAST x Momentus selected startups.
📍 ICC Sydney Meeting Rooms
12:00–1:00 PM — CAST Founder Session @ VMA’s
🎤 Hear from two leading voices in venues & data:
Andrew Reid, GM at Ovation/Ticketek – a data and eCommerce leader reshaping live event engagement.
Malu Barrios, GM New Projects, ICC Sydney – a venue operations veteran and board member at VMA.
Get up close with the people shaping how entertainment is delivered.
📍 ICC Sydney Meeting Rooms
