A leading group of hospitality, planning, marketing and arts and culture experts have come together to develop a suite of best practice guidebooks for night time industry operators.
These new resources for industry span an array of topics and themes that any operator in the night time economy is sure to encounter. The new resources for industry draw on the real world experiences of leaders in the field and how they’ve overcome challenges and seized upon opportunities.
The development of the guidebooks has been led by the Night Time Industries Association and supported by the NSW Government’s Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner. The list of industry experts is included below.
Each guidebook provides an overview of the regulatory landscape, the key considerations, stakeholder relationships and a list of ‘top tips’ as crafted by the industry experts. The five best-practice guidebooks include:
- Navigating planning and licensing,
- Managing sound and noise in venues,
- Building a brand and identity,
- Promoting safety and wellbeing, and
- Integrating performance into venues
Night Time Industries Association CEO Mick Gibb says the suite of industry guidebooks are a vital tool to help new and existing players in the night time economy.
“The best advice comes from those who have faced, and overcome, the same challenges you have. These guidebooks are created by industry, for industry so that regardless of who you know in the sector, you can draw on the expertise of market leaders.
“Industry collaboration and knowledge sharing is at the heart of the NTIA’s mission. During the peak of the pandemic industry rallied together to weather the storm. Although the worst of COVID-19 is behind us, that spirit of collaboration and partnership across industry must remain.”
Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham says the Playbooks will be an asset to stakeholders across NSW’s night-time economy.
“These books will serve as a fantastic guide for those contributing to our state’s night-time economy. We need to work to save the venues we have, given how many we have lost. This is a great example of some of the best operators helping lift the whole industry.”
24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues says the guidebooks demonstrate a commitment by the industry to be stronger, together.
“I’ve always admired how willing sector leaders are to share their knowledge with each other. I’ve seen it happen firsthand in venues and at the many conferences that occur during the year. If ever there was a sector defined by peer-to-peer learning, this is it. We’re happy to be supporting this initiative and commend those experts who have been involved, and the NTIA for bringing it together.”
Odd Culture Group Founder and Director James Thorpe was a key stakeholder in the development of the industry guidebooks. James says industry is at its best when it works together.
“These industry guidebooks are a fantastic initiative that can make things much simpler for new and existing players in the night time economy. It was great to work with the Night Time Industries Association and other business leaders to create something for the good of industry.”
CBRE’s Director of Partnerships Ash Nicholson says it’s vital that all businesses have a stake in the success of the night time economy.
“Vibrant communities drive every sector, and a thriving night-time economy is crucial for overall economic success. Supporting this project and collaborating with the NTIA to forge stronger bonds between the property sector and night-time industries is pivotal in unlocking the full potential of the night.”
Co-founder of Ramblin Rascal Charlie Lehmann says removing ambiguity and confusion will do a lot for industry.
“It can be tough to try and do new things as a night time operator, but resources like these guidebooks and the work from the NTIA go a long way to help the sector to give it a go and try something different.”
The suite of guidebooks can be downloaded here.
Participating Industry Experts
Guidebook: Navigating the Planning and Licensing Landscape
- Ash Nicholson, Director of Partnerships, CBRE
- Luke Rosie, Group Operations Manager, Solotel
- Monika Cala, General Manager – Licencing, Australian Venue Co,
- Sabrina Medcalf, Group Operations Manager, Odd Culture Group
- James Thorpe, Director and CEO, Odd Culture Group
- Samuel Austin, Senior Urban Planner, JOC Consulting
- Mick Gibb, CEO, Night Time Industries Association
Guidebook: Building a Brand and Identity
- Adelaide Gardiner, Head of Brand and Communications, Australian Venue Co.
- Bianca Esmond, Global PR and Brand Experience, Sevenrooms
- Joanna Steuart, Director of Marketing and Partnerships, Applejack Hospitality
- Nathan Richman, Co-founder & Creative Partner, Elastic Studios
- Nathan Lennon, Co-founder, Hawke’s Brewing Co.
- Nick van Tiel, Head of Music and Entertainment, Merivale
- Mick Gibb, CEO, Night Time Industries Association
Guidebook: Managing Sound and Noise in Licensed Venues
- Greg Khoury, Executive Director, Century Venues
- Sabrina Medcalf, Group Operations Manager, Odd Culture Group
- James Thorpe, Director and CEO, Odd Culture Group
- Luke Rosie, Group Experience Manager, Solotel
- Mick Gibb, CEO, Night Time Industries Association
Guidebook: Integrating Performance Into Venues
- James Thorpe, Director and CEO, Odd Culture Group
- Alan Jin, Founder, Surreal
- Victoria Moxey, Director of Programs, Office of the 24 Hour Economy Commissioner
- Charlie Lehmann, Founder, Ramblin Rascal Tavern
- Mick Gibb, CEO, Night Time Industries Association
Guidebook: Promoting Safety and Wellbeing at Night
- Dane Gorrell, Director, Club 77
- Alice Vincent, NSW/ACT Lead – Security, Resilience and Risk, Arup
- Samuel Austin, Senior Urban Planner, JOC Consulting
- Shivanay Goundan, Group WHS Manager, Australian Venue Co.
- Mick Gibb, CEO, Night Time Industries Association
