ASM Global (APAC) Recruits Meg Walker as Group Director of Arena Operations

MELBOURNE, Australia — Veteran live entertainment professional Meagan (Meg) Walker will join ASM Global (APAC) later this year as group director of arena operations.

Effective Oct. 10, ASM Global will join the venues management specialist from Live Nation, with responsibilities for the company’s arena network in Australia while supporting other arena venues in the region, reads a statement, with a focus on event acquisition, operational planning for best practice patron experience and event delivery.

Walker’s resume includes senior management roles with some of Australia’s most successful venues including Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, John Cain Arena and Palais Theatre.

In her new role, Walker replaces Tim Worton, who announced his retirement earlier this year. 

“The depth and scale of Meg’s experience in the operation of major events and live entertainment is the perfect fit to lead our portfolio of world class arenas, frequently featured in Billboard, Pollstar and Rolling Stone,” ASM APAC chairman and CEO Harvey Lister says.

“Both Meg Walker and Tim Worton have long been recognized as legends in the industry and we are so fortunate to be the recipients of their expertise and professionalism as part of our management team.

“Meg has proven to be an accomplished event professional with strategic and collaborative leadership skills.”

One of Walker’s great talents, says Lister, is the ability to mentor the next generation of aspiring venue managers, which will be a key part of her role to support the company’s continuing growth. 

The company is currently enjoying “exponential growth and development” for its portfolio of entertainment venues in Australia, the Asia Pacific and MENA regions. Worldwide, ASM Global operates over 400 venues on five continents.

“I look forward to contributing to the ongoing strong performance and growth of the ASM Global portfolio by collaborating with all stakeholders and supporting the team to achieve their personal and professional goals,” adds Walker, “while ensuring ASM arenas maintain their world’s best practice reputation.”

Worton, meanwhile, is leaving the live entertainment industry for a new career path. As previously reported, he will step away from ASM Global at year’s end, at which time he will enter 12 months’ full-time studies at Moore Theological College in Sydney. When completed, Worton will endeavor to work in a pastoral, chaplaincy or ministry role.

Sydney-based Worton has logged 33 years in the entertainment business, including 25 years with ASM Global (previously AEG Ogden). For the past 19 years, he has served as the venues and event management specialist’s group director of arenas for APAC. Worton will work with Walker during the transition.