Michael Johnson to retire
The CEO of industry body Accommodation Australia, Michael Johnson, will step down at the end of July this year, but remain as a special advisor during the leadership transition.
Johnson was appointed CEO of Accommodation Australia in January 2023, six months before the body was formed from the amalgamation of Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) and the Accommodation Association of Australia.
Prior to the amalgamation, Johnson headed up the New South Wales and national divisions of TAA for four years.
He also has a long history in the hotel and tourism industry, including as general manager of two Pan Pacific Hotels Group properties in Melbourne and Sydney and as GM of the Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney.
“After 45 years in the industry, it is time to hand over the reins and enjoy more time with family and friends,” he said.
Accommodation Australia is currently searching for his replacement.
“Michael will be sadly missed by his team and the many stakeholders he works closely with,” said Accommodation Australia chair David Mansfield
“He has significantly contributed to Accommodation Australia and the industry more broadly over many years.
“During his tenure, he did a fantastic job and was instrumental in creating a solid foundation that will serve Accommodation Australia’s renewed purpose and values well into the future.
“His honesty, hard work and generosity will be hard to replace.”
ASM Global APAC’s head of arenas headed for a career change
Tim Worton, group director of arenas for ASM Global in APAC, will leave the organisation at the end of the year.
Worton has been at the helm of ASM Global’s – and its predecessor AEG Ogden’s – arenas division for 19 years.
However, when he steps away from the live entertainment industry, he will set off in a profoundly new direction, spending 2025 as a student at Moore Theological College, with the intention of gaining a pastoral, chaplaincy or ministry role.
“Tim has been a great ambassador for our organisation,” said ASM Global APAC chair and CEO Harvey Lister AM.
“He has made an admirable and life changing decision to follow his faith and we applaud his decision and wish him well.
“Tim’s leadership and executive management of the arena portfolio is demonstrated by the continued growth of the group’s arenas through innovation and ongoing development of entertainment content for audiences.”
Arenas in the region include venues across Australia, from Brisbane, Sydney and Cairns to Perth, as well as arenas in Dubai and Kuala Lumpur.
“What I have loved most about my career is supporting and mentoring colleagues, helping to create opportunities for future development,” said Worton.
“The company has given me amazing opportunities that I will always cherish.
“Harvey has been incredibly supportive of my decision to go in this vastly different direction, allowing flexibility in my role and I am very grateful for his support and encouragement.
“Rod [Pilbeam, a founding partner of AEG Ogden and later COO for ASM Global APAC] has been a great mentor to me over my 25 years with ASM Global and I am indebted to him for the important role he has played in my life.”
