Ahead of TheStadiumBusiness ASIA 2025, we caught up with Mark McKay, Head of Strategy at the Adelaide Showground, a 27-hectare site that houses a mixed-use main arena, indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces, a basketball centre and other amenities.
McKay is currently overseeing a master-planning exercise covering the entire site, with the planned vision to create a world-class asset for South Australia.
The project aims to showcase the “unique soul” of the Showground and create a sustainable future for the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia (RA&HS).
Prior to joining the RA&HS, McKay spent over 20 years in various banking and finance roles in Adelaide, Sydney and London.
TheStadiumBusiness: What projects are you currently working on?
Mark McKay: “The RA&HS/Adelaide Showground is in the midst of a master-planning exercise that considers the entirety of its 27-hectare site. The vision behind this exercise is to create a multi-purpose, world-class asset for the state of South Australia that showcases the unique soul of the Showground and cultivates a vibrant, sustainable future for our organisation.”
TSB: What’s in the pipeline for the Adelaide Showground over the next six to 12 months?
MM: “The RA&HS and Adelaide Showground have an exciting pipeline of major events scheduled across the next six to 12 months, from the iconic Royal Adelaide Show (which attracts approximately 400,000 patrons over a nine-day period) to Asia-Pacific’s longest running mining industry event (AIMEX) and a diverse range of music festivals.
“In addition to this, community favourites such as the multi-award-winning Adelaide Showground Farmer’s market and Gilles at the Grounds market will continue to operate regularly throughout the year.”
TSB: What are you most looking forward to about TheStadiumBusiness ASIA 2025?
MM: “I am looking forward to connecting with (and learning from) stadium and event professionals from around the globe. I am also particularly interested in touring Kai Tak Sports Park, especially to see how its designated community-use precincts integrate with the state-of-the-art event and sporting facilities.”
Join Mark and hundreds of sports and entertainment execs at Dorsett Kai Tak Hotel, adjacent to Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong, on 21-23 October as we explore the future of design, operations and technology for Asia’s sports and entertainment venues – only at TheStadiumBusiness ASIA 2025.
Don’t miss our Earlybird special – ending Friday, 5 September 2025
- Delegate Pass: £595 (saving £200)
- Best Value: Delegate Pass & Hotel Bundle: £1,120 (includes 3 hotel nights – saving £200)
- Includes access to TheTicketingBusiness ASIA 2025 sessions
If you’re involved in venue development, operations and programming across APAC, then TheStadiumBusiness ASIA 2025 is where you need to be this October.
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