Simon Challenor
Managing Director
Simon’s name is synonymous with ticketing in Australia, regularly called upon to consult major concert and theatre promoters for his experience in ticketing, event sales and management. His particular areas of expertise in the fields of seat chart development and yield management and maximisation through pricing models holds Simon as one of the most saught after contributors to the development of major events.
Having worked in the ticketing industry for a quarter of a century, Simon has gained his experience working up through the ranks since working in the Ticketek Call Centre in 1989. His aptitude for event logistics, systems analysis and market acumen saw him quickly rise to the management role at the Footbridge Theatre. Moving quickly into the role of Senior Event Manager, Simon was responsible for promoter and producer relationship development, building relationships he still shares with some of the biggest names in the business
In 1997, Simon moved into the newly created role of General Manager, Commercial Development for Ticketek, and given control over an extensive portfolio that included the retail ticketing of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, and the implementation of ticketing infrastructure for Ticketek Hong Kong, Stadium Australia (now ANZ Stadium), Sydney Superdome (now Allphones Arena), Fox Studios Backlot, Star City Casino’s Lyric and Showroom theatres, and Wollongong Entertainment Centre.
In 2002, Simon took on the General Manager role at Showbiz International, where he was able to reconnect with concert Promoters and Producers to help deliver fantastic concert experiences for international touring acts such as Robbie Williams, Bon Jovi, Michael Buble, Eminem and Lionel Richie and ACDC along the major theatre productions including Billy Elliot, Disney’s The Lion King, Mamma Mia and Jersey Boys.
In 2014 Simon has taken the reconnection with the promoter and producer community a step further by moving away from the retail ticketing business and starting his own company, the Australian Event Packaging Group (AEPG), specializing in the development and delivery of packages in conjunction with live events. The company also provides consultative advice under its Challenor Ticketing Services banner.
Credits include:
- Assisting Cirque du Soleil break into the Australian market (and have worked on every Australian CDS tour since)
- Built the ticketing solution for Cirque Du Soleil for their first show in Dubai. This was the first installation of electronic ticketing in Dubai.
- The retail ticketing operations for the Sydney 2000 Olympics
- The Australian tent tour of Cats, The Musical and specifically its opening at Uluru
- AC/DC’s record breaking Black Ice Australian Tour
- Bon Jovi’s “The Circle” and “Because We Can” tours
- Disney’s The Lion King, Australian season
- Jersey Boys Australia and New Zealand seasons
- World Record attendance of both Rugby League and Rugby Union at Stadium Australia (now ANZ Stadium)
- Michael Jacksons HIStory Australian tour