#SBS23 Guest Spotlight: Adelaide Oval

Ahead of TheStadiumBusiness Summit 2023, Nick Addison, Chief Executive of the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority, discusses the current trends in the stadium sector and shares what’s on the agenda for the venue in the coming months.

Addison joined the Adelaide Oval in June 2022 from the Victoria Racing Club, where he held a number of senior roles including executive general manager of commercial operations.

Addison is just the second chief executive of the Adelaide Oval SMA, after taking over from Andrew Daniels who stepped down after 10 years in the role.

TheStadiumBusiness: What are the key current challenges and opportunities in the stadium marketplace?

Nick Addison: “COVID-19 changed people’s behaviour in many ways, but one way was to make people very comfortable watching live sport in their homes. In the stadium industry, our biggest competitor is the couch at home, particularly given the quality of sports broadcasting in many countries. So given this, we need a laser focus on making the stadium experience as compelling and entertaining as possible.”

TSB: What are the most interesting trends you are witnessing in the stadium sector?

NA: “Clearly sustainability is occupying more and more focus, as it should, and it will mean we will need to challenge historical conventions in order to meet society’s expectations into the future.”

TSB: What’s on the roadmap for the Adelaide Oval over the next six to 12 months?

NA: “We have an extremely hectic event schedule ahead of us which is fantastic, so we need to ensure we focus on our Employee Value Proposition (EVP) to ensure our team is as prepared as possible to deliver on the demands that will be put in front of us.

“We are also embarking on an LED Light Tower upgrade project as well as leveraging new technology to enhance our food and beverage retail experience. Furthermore we are always reviewing opportunities to enhance our existing, and develop new, world-class experiences across our businesses.”

TSB: What are you looking forward to most about the Summit?

NA: “Listening to and engaging with a range of experts across the stadium industry in order to unlock the next stage of transformational growth!”

JOIN NICK ADDISON – AND HUNDREDS OF COLLEAGUES FROM THE SECTOR – AT THESTADIUMBUSINESS SUMMIT 2023 IN MANCHESTER ON 28-29 JUNE. SIGN UP HERE.