STATE OF THE NATION – NEW SOUTH WALES

It has taken a while, but finally Cleanevent Pty Limited have appointed Ray Buckland to the New South Wales State Manager position, left vacant when Paul Rowlands assumed the Chief Executive Officer role within Cleanevent Australia.

Ray Buckland served with the RAS of NSW for 7 years and assisted with the successful relocation of the Showground to its Homebush Bay site after 117 years at Moore Park.

Ray was the General Manager of the Sydney Showground which hosts an extraordinary range of events including large scale corporate functions with up to 10,000 people, sporting events (Speedway, football, polo), the Big Day Out, concerts, Cultural Events, Trade Shows and Exhibitions of all sizes, as well as its very own Royal Easter Show, one of the largest events in Australia.

Ray's background includes 10 years in various management roles with retailer Venture Stores Ltd and 15 years in various project management roles in the Leisure/Hospitality/Recreation industry including Australia's Wonderland (now Wonderland Sydney), Dooralong Lodge, the Solotel Hotel Group, the Darling Walk project and the World Expo Fun Park.

Ray loves the flexibility and diversity of venue management and through associations like the Venue Management Association (VMA) is passionate about ensuring people in the venues industry be equipped to be, and regarded as, world class professionals.

He was elected to Council in 1998 and serves on the seminar committee and acts as the Association Secretary.