Peter Abraam, Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Major Events Company (VMEC) today announced his resignation to take up an executive role with the United Arab Emirates based Royal Group in Abu Dhabi.

Mr Abraam has been appointed Executive Director Strategic Planning, of the Royal Group, a multi-disciplined conglomerate of companies specialising in international property development, investment, finance, media and technology.

Victorian Major Events Company Chairman, Sir Rod Eddington said, “I thank Peter for his terrific work over the past eight years. Everyone at VMEC is sad that he has decided to leave but we wish him well in what is a very exciting new opportunity.”

“His skill and dedication have been fundamental to cementing Melbourne’s position as the world’s leading event city.”

Premier Steve Bracks said, “Peter Abraam’s strategic and operational knowledge has been instrumental in developing Melbourne’s diverse sporting and cultural event calendar, which is now the envy of the world.”

He said, “For over eight years, Peter has led a highly successful team, who are globally recognised as the pre-eminent major event procurement agency. His networks, tourism insights and international reputation for winning events have been great assets for this State.”

Mr. Abraam said, “I’ll miss VMEC and Melbourne immensely but its time to start a new chapter, using the skills and experience I have gained across various roles. I’ve been fortunate my work has always been about Melbourne, from its urban design, to its major events – VMEC has been a dream job, selling and promoting Melbourne to the world”.

Mr. Abraam is highly regarded for facilitating the State’s seamless approach to bidding and staging world class events. He paid tribute to what he sees as Melbourne’s competitive advantage – its event industry and stakeholders including the State Government and its Departments, Tourism Victoria, the City Council, and Melbourne’s sporting venues, and arts and cultural institutions.
 
“I am privileged to have worked for outstanding Chairmen and Board members, and had the benefit of a number of close mentors. I am so incredibly proud of the very small team of talented and motivated professionals that are at the core of VMEC’s success”.

The Premier said that while Mr Abraam leaves a wealth of lasting legacies for the city, he also leaves VMEC extremely well positioned to face its growing competition and the challenges of the future.
 
Mr Abraam will remain with VMEC in the interim and the recruitment process for a new Chief Executive Officer will commence immediately.

 Major Events secured during Mr Abraam’s tenure include:
• Seven World Championships:
2004 UCI World Track Cycling Championships;
2004 World Hot Air Balloon Championships (Mildura);
2004 & 2008 IDSF World Dance Championships;
2005 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships;
2006 ILS World Life Saving Championships (Torquay & Geelong); and
2007 FINA World Swimming Championships. 

•  Major International events including:
2001 IAAF Grand Prix Final;
2005 ICC Cricket Super Series;
2006 Volvo Ocean Race –Melbourne Stopover;
2011 Presidents Cup Golf.

• Football Events including:
2001 FIFA World Cup Qualifier Socceroos v Uruguay, & 2008/2009 Qualifiers
Socceroos Internationals v France (2001), v Greece (2006), v Argentina (2007);
 
• International Rugby Events including:
2001 British Lions Test;
2003 Rugby World Cup; and
2007 & 2010 Bledisloe Cups.

A number of important Strategic Objectives achieved under his leadership include:
• Building the three major event pillars that make up Melbourne’s Winter Strategy by:
Creating the widely acclaimed and record breaking Melbourne Winter Masterpieces Series – (Impressionists (04), Dutch Masters (05), Picasso (06), Guggenheim & Pixar (07));
Breathing life into Melbourne’s Theatre precinct by securing the Australian premieres of The Producers, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, Spamalot and Wicked; and
Establishing multi-year Football Strategies in Union, League and Football (Soccer), highlighted by two Bledisloe Cups, two State of Origins and international football matches against Greece and Argentina to date.

• The transition to a culturally balanced major events calendar, as above & highlighted by the:
Resurrection of the Australian Film Industry (AFI) Awards;] Invigoration of Melbourne’s Food & Wine Festival and introduction of Slow Food;

• The re-signing, funding and leveraging of Melbourne’s hallmark events including the Australian Open (Tennis), MotoGP (Philip Island), Rip Curl Pro (Torquay), Herald Sun Tour (regional Victoria), Superbike World Championships (Philip Island), F1 Grand Prix, etc.
 
Recent international recognition and accolades include:
• “Melbourne is the most successful international sporting city, both in bidding for and hosting major events.”
(Industry analysis of global sport cities conducted by international consulting and research firm, ArkSports, October 2006)

• “Talk to people who know about these things and there is one city which is held up as a case study for attracting major events …Melbourne has written the book which others follow”. (SportBusiness International, Aug 2005)

• “VMEC is recognised for its highly skilled ability to operate within and outside government structures to deliver major events to achieve tourism and destination marketing objectives.”
(TTF 2006 Corporate Leadership Awards – Public Sector Management Award)