Our team

Tom is a Data Analyst at IER, having joined the company in 2022. In his role, he is responsible for translating client challenges into data-driven problems, developing analytics-based solutions, and leading the analysis to deliver actionable recommendations. Tom provides expert, timely advice and reporting on IER’s event evaluations, covering a wide range of impacts including behavioural, attitudinal, experiential, economic, and social. He plays a key role in providing insights for IER’s reports, presentations, and dashboards, helping to inform key strategic questions for clients. 

Tom is also responsible for analysing economic, environmental, and social impact models for IER’s clients, ensuring that the data is not only insightful but also accurate and relevant. He works closely with the wider IER team, sharing knowledge and leveraging opportunities to improve processes and outcomes. Additionally, Tom champions a data-driven culture within IER, promoting the strategic value of data and driving the education and training of the team in data analytics. 

A core focus of Tom’s work at IER is the development of big data tools that support the company’s mission of providing cutting-edge research and analytics for the events and entertainment industry. He enjoys the collaborative and innovative environment at IER, where he is able to help shape the future of Australia’s events sector alongside a talented and passionate team. 

With a strong scientific background, Tom has always had a passion for solving complex problems using data. His expertise in data analytics enables him to apply his skills in ways that benefit the wider community. By uncovering valuable insights in research data, Tom helps improve events for all stakeholders, ultimately enhancing the experiences of attendees, organisers, and communities. He holds a Bachelor of Science (with Distinction) and a Masters in Physics (with Distinction) from the University of Melbourne. 

Rodney is a Senior Consultant at IER and has been with the company since 2017. He manages IER’s portfolio of events in New South Wales and Tasmania, working with high-profile clients such as Destination NSW, Events Tasmania, the Sydney Royal Easter Show, Vivid, and Dark Mofo. In his role, Rodney oversees the delivery of comprehensive event evaluations, focusing on behavioral, attitudinal, experiential, economic, and social impacts within the sports and cultural sectors.

Rodney leads client relationships, ensuring that IER’s services are aligned with their strategic goals, and actively identifies new opportunities for business growth. He collaborates closely with IER’s diverse team of data analysts, field research coordinators, survey developers, and brand specialists to produce world-class event evaluation reports. Rodney also manages the entire evaluation process for individual projects, including data collection, analysis, economic modelling, and report writing. Additionally, he mentors and leads a team of market research assistants and consultants, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.

Rodney values the close-knit, collaborative atmosphere at IER, where the team shares a genuine passion for their work. This dynamic environment encourages the exchange of ideas and provides real opportunities for learning and professional development.

He finds the research aspect of the events sector particularly exciting, as it allows him to uncover insights that directly contribute to creating impactful, memorable experiences. Whether for learning, networking, or celebration, events have a unique ability to bring people together, and Rodney believes research plays a crucial role in understanding the connections that make those experiences truly meaningful.

Rodney holds a Master of Management from the University of Melbourne Business School.

Grace has worked as a Market Research Assistant since 2021, working closely with senior consultants on a broad range of event related projects. Her responsibilities include interpreting and reporting data, summarising qualitative responses and focus group discussions into insights, and building and reviewing surveys for IER’s clients. She also manages field staff and has been integral in managing some of IER’s major events such as Vivid, Dark Mofo, Sydney Royal Easter Show and the Australian Open. 

Grace has worked at many major events, where she has supported IER’s field research teams. Through this work, she has had the opportunity to observe event customer behaviours and gain valuable insights into audience engagement. 
She enjoys working at IER because of its friendly and supportive environment, which fosters open communication and collaboration. This dynamic atmosphere allows her to contribute to the success of her team. 

Grace is passionate about researching events and analysing feedback, finding satisfaction in examining data points to uncover valuable insights. She enjoys interpreting these insights and appreciating the diversity of management action and strategic priorities each event presents. 

She holds a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) and a Master of Applied Psychology from the University of Melbourne. 

Glenn has served as a Senior Partner at IER since 2007, where he ensures that the company upholds its core values of innovation, trust, integrity, and client success. Throughout his tenure, he has played a key role in consulting on a diverse range of event evaluations and conducting major economic and social impact studies across the Asia Pacific region.

Before joining IER, Glenn held several senior leadership positions, where he was instrumental in developing and executing strategies for major events, rebranding efforts, and revitalising business and marketing programs. He also managed corporate partnerships and led the introduction of a variety of innovative event products.

A strong advocate for the power of major events and the broader entertainment industry, Glenn believes in their potential to connect communities, enhance a destination’s visibility and reputation, and deliver significant economic and social benefits.

Glenn holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Charles Sturt University and a Diploma in Horse Business Management from Marcus Oldham Farm Management College in Geelong.

Matthew has been with IER since 2019 and is currently in the role of Senior Consultant. Matthew works across internal and external functions where he is able to leverage his expertise in project management, timeline management, problem-solving, decision-making, and communication. He oversees several key initiatives at IER, including client management, reporting delivery, the workload management platform and training programs.

As part of his project management responsibilities, Matthew manages IER’s events in the Northern Territory and works on high-profile major events, such as the Brisbane Festival, the Melbourne Cup Carnival, and various NRL and AFL games. His role includes managing and delivering comprehensive event evaluations, covering behavioural, attitudinal, experiential, economic, and social impacts across the sports and cultural sectors. He works closely with IER’s multidisciplinary team—including data analysts, field research staff, survey developers, and brand specialists—to deliver world-class event evaluation reports.

Matthew enjoys the dynamic and collaborative environment at IER, where the diverse team brings a wealth of passion and expertise to the table. He values the opportunity to work alongside colleagues with different backgrounds, creating a learning environment where everyone can thrive and grow.

For Matthew, IER is the perfect blend of his interests: events, sports, and research. Whether working on events he’s attended or exploring new ones, he finds it fascinating to discover the unique appeal of each event and understand why people are drawn to them. Matthew particularly enjoys diving into market research, analysing data to uncover valuable insights, and knowing that his work helps clients build better events for the future. He finds it rewarding to contribute to the growth and success of these events year after year.

Matthew holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Marketing from La Trobe University in Melbourne.

Nicole has been a Market Research Assistant at IER since 2023, working closely with senior consultants across a diverse range of major event-related projects. As a key member of the consulting team, she specialises in report writing, briefing field research staff, proofing surveys, managing data and preparing client presentations. Nicole also plays a central role in managing field staff and has been instrumental in supporting some of IER’s major event clients, including Events Tasmania, Destination NSW, and Tourism and Events Queensland. 

She enjoys her role at IER due to the supportive atmosphere that fosters learning and open communication. She appreciates being involved in various stages of the project lifecycle, from developing proposals and managing field staff to working on-site at major events including Vivid, Footy Festival, NGV exhibitions, and Global Football Week. 

Nicole is passionate about the events sector because it provides her with the opportunity to immerse herself in diverse cultures and communities across Australia. She values the chance to see firsthand the impact events have on people, whether they are locals or attendees traveling from other states or countries. Through her work, Nicole has gained deep insights into human behaviour and how shared experiences at events create connections and foster a sense of community. 

Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts with majors in Psychology and Sociology, as well as a Master of Applied Psychology, both from the University of Melbourne. 

Paul has been a partner in IER since 2007, playing a key role in client engagement and project delivery, focusing on market research and economic impact assessments. He has a strong track record of working with various private and State Government clients across Australia. Paul brings expertise in research design and event evaluation. This includes the development of frameworks and methodologies related to economic and social impact assessments. In addition to client and project management, Paul oversees the design and analytics teams, ensuring that research programs and strategies not only meet but exceed client expectations by providing actionable insights.

Telling stories about the ability of events and entertainment to bring happiness and connection is at the heart of Paul’s passion for the industry. Helping event owners to create and deliver strong events also drives him.

Paul holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Sports Management from Deakin University in Melbourne and is an active member of the Australian Market & Social Research Society. This blend of academic background and professional involvement underscores his passion for delivering high-quality research and impactful solutions.

As a Senior Data Scientist at IER, Alonso is a pivotal leader in big data and data analytics, steering a team of data analysts to drive transformative insights for clients. With a focus on developing customised data dashboards and advanced methodologies, Alonso empowers clients with real-time analytics that underpin strategic decision-making. Within the events and entertainment sector, his expertise in big data allows clients to achieve precise, actionable solutions. 

In his role, Alonso oversees a wide range of data-driven projects, taking on responsibilities from initial data analysis to the creation of sophisticated client dashboards. His approach combines a deep understanding of statistical methods with an innovative mindset, allowing him to tackle complex data sets and uncover trends that shape business outcomes. Leading his team with a hands-on approach, Alonso ensures the highest quality in both analytics and client deliverables, making him an invaluable asset in IER’s data-centric initiatives. 

Prior to joining IER, Alonso honed his expertise as a Data Science Consultant where he worked on applied academic research in statistical sciences, contributing to the fields of biostatistics, higher education research, and marketing analytics. His experience includes leading roles in developing real-time decision-making systems, collaborating on federal government and marketing research publications. 

Alonso’s passion for data science is fueled by a commitment to unlocking the power of data to inform and transform decision-making. Particularly within the events and entertainment sectors, he finds immense satisfaction in diving into complex datasets, uncovering patterns, and transforming those insights into actionable strategies for IER’s clients.  
Alonso holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistics with honors from La Trobe University and a Master’s degree in Statistical Science (by Research) from The University of Melbourne. His academic achievements, paired with his real-world experience, have cemented his reputation as a forward-thinking leader in data science.

Iain joined IER as a Senior Consultant in early 2024, specialising in the sports & entertainment sector. In his role, he is responsible for managing IER’s size & scope portfolio, delivering research studies that measure the economic and social impact of key sports and entertainment sectors. Iain has conducted in-depth research for high-profile projects including national studies of the AFL, major racing jurisdictions and sporting precincts such as Sydney Showground. His expertise has also been invaluable to IER’s events division, where he manages studies for major events like the AFL’s Gather Round the AFLW season, Australian Open and major music festivals such Beyond the Valley. 

As the lead in Size and Scope Studies, Iain oversees every aspect, from data collection to report writing and production, ensuring that each study is comprehensive, accurate, and actionable. His work supports various clients in the major sport, cultural and entertainment sectors. Iain’s approach is both meticulous and collaborative, ensuring that clients gain a clear view of their industry’s impact and opportunities. 

Before joining IER, Iain worked for two and a half years in the Commercial Strategy team at the AFL, where he provided data-driven insights that supported the wider commercial team’s strategic decisions. His work ranged from sponsorship measurement to fan insights, contributing to the AFL’s understanding of their audience and partnerships. Prior to that, Iain spent six years at Nielsen Sports, leading the Sports Analytics team. There, he managed the delivery of syndicated products and consulting projects, including economic impact reports, establishing a solid foundation in the data-driven side of sports and entertainment. 

For Iain, working in the sports and entertainment industry is not just a career – it’s a passion. He believes that sports and live events possess an unparalleled power to unite people and create memorable experiences. Reflecting on his experience at two Grand Finals, where he witnessed the energy of 100,000 fans supporting their teams, Iain is motivated to help clients maximise the potential of these electrifying events. 

Iain holds a Bachelor of Business from Monash University. 

Sean is a Senior Consultant at IER, specialising in major events across Australia. He joined the team in 2023, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep passion for the tourism, events, and entertainment sectors. In his role, Sean leads client relationships and identifies opportunities for business growth, playing a pivotal role in managing responses to client needs and contributing to broader business development initiatives for IER. 

Sean works closely with IER’s multidisciplinary team, which includes data analysts, field research coordinators, survey developers, and brand specialists, to deliver major event evaluation reports. He collaborates directly with clients and stakeholders within the sports and cultural sectors, including major regional councils in Queensland, Tourism and Events Queensland, and Experience Gold Coast, to understand and align with their strategic event priorities. Sean is also dedicated to driving innovation within IER, continuously enhancing the company’s capabilities and strengthening its reputation as a trusted leader in event evaluation. 

With 15 years of experience in state and national sporting organisations, Sean’s background includes roles such as General Manager – Major Events, State Manager Queensland for AusCycling and Chief Executive Officer for Cycling Queensland. His career has given him a unique perspective on how events can create powerful connections and lasting memories, both for individuals and communities. 

Sean is deeply passionate about the impact of events and believes in their ability to foster connection, joy, and shared experiences. Whether large or small, events inspire, entertain, and educate, leaving a lasting impression that enriches communities and builds a sense of belonging. He takes great pride in helping events tell their stories, reach new heights, and make a meaningful difference. Sean holds a degree in Business Sports Management (Marketing) from Western Sydney University and a qualification in Business Marketing (Event Management) from APM College, North Sydney.  

Matt has been a Market Research Assistant at IER since 2023, working closely with senior consultants on a wide range of major event-related projects. As an integral member of the consulting team, Matt specialises in report writing, creating infographics, survey development, and data management. He also plays a key role in coding and supporting the overall data analysis process, contributing significantly to the success of each project. 

Matt enjoys working at IER because the variety of projects and clients provides ample opportunities for hands-on involvement. He enjoys being engaged in multiple aspects of the project lifecycle, from sending tablets and managing field staff to working on-site at major events across the country. Matt believes that IER exemplifies how a small, dedicated team can accomplish big things in the industry, delivering impactful results for clients. 

Passionate about market research, Matt finds fulfillment in uncovering insights that help drive informed decision-making. He especially enjoys delving into the data to better understand consumer behaviour and identify trends that provide valuable insights for a range of clients in the events sector. This variety keeps Matt engaged and eager to contribute to the success of every project. 

Matt holds a Bachelor of Media Communications from Swinburne University of Technology, where he majored in Advertising and Digital Advertising, with a minor in Public Relations. 

Amanda specialises in managing and delivering evaluations of behavioral, attitudinal, experiential, economic, and social impacts for events in the sports and cultural sectors. She collaborates with a team at IER, including data analysts and survey developers, to provide comprehensive evaluation reports for major clients like Tourism and Events Queensland, Cairns Regional Council, and Mackay Regional Council. 

In addition to her current role, Amanda has experience as an Account Manager for multinational companies, where she focused on strategy and project management, conducting surveys and interviews to understand client priorities and customer preferences. 

Amanda recognises that events can ignite passion, motivation, and empowerment in young people. She believes that they play a crucial role in raising awareness of social issues and fostering community connections, ultimately helping individuals feel a sense of belonging.  

She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and International Management from Brazil and Germany, and she is pursuing a Master’s in International Management, studying in Australia, Brazil, and Canada.

Maeve is responsible for developing and managing IER’s brand strategy, working with external partners to create brand and communication assets, and overseeing brand content across all marketing materials. She designs key reports and presentations, especially those for public release, and executes IER’s social media strategy. Additionally, Maeve creates various visual assets, including style guides, website, templates and infographics for clients.

Maeve has also worked with IER in the capacity as a market research consultant where she managed a range of different major event evaluations for IER’s tourism partners. This work has provided Maeve with a deep understanding of the events sector which has benefited the development and implementation of IER’s brand strategy. She worked closely with IER’s team of experts, including data analysts, field research coordinators, survey developers, and brand specialists, to produce world-class event evaluation reports.

She finds her work at IER highly rewarding, as it offers the opportunity to be involved in a diverse range of events – from vibrant light displays like Vivid to large-scale music festivals. As part of the events sector, she takes pride in contributing to the broader goal of supporting and enhancing the industry, whether at a grassroots level or on a global stage.

She believes that IER’s work makes a real impact within communities by providing insightful data that enhances attendee experiences and supports event organisers. Presenting data in a compelling way – uncovering stories through design and insights – is both enjoyable and challenging for her.

She holds a Bachelor of Visual Communications and Design from the University of Newcastle and a certification in Content and Social Media Marketing from RMIT University.

Julie is a Senior Consultant at IER, having been with the company since 2019. In her role, she is responsible for managing and delivering comprehensive event evaluations across multiple sectors, including sports, culture, and business events.

Julie specialises in assessing a wide range of impacts, from behavioural and attitudinal shifts to economic and social outcomes. She works closely with IER’s team of experts, including data analysts, field research coordinators, survey developers, and brand specialists, to produce world-class event evaluation reports.

Her expertise spans the entire evaluation process, overseeing data collection, analysis, economic modelling, and the creation of insightful reports. Julie is also a key mentor, managing and guiding a team of market research assistants and consultants to deliver high-quality results. She collaborates extensively with clients and stakeholders within the sports, cultural and business events sectors, ensuring their event priorities are understood and addressed with tailored research solutions.

Julie manages some of IER’s most significant clients, including Always Live, Arts Centre Melbourne, Tourism Events Queensland, EventsACT, the National Gallery of Victoria, the National Museum Australia, Netball Australia, and Visit Victoria. Her experience also includes senior roles with Star Ratings Australia and Tourism Greater Geelong & Bellarine, where she further honed her expertise in the tourism and events sector.

With a long career in tourism and events, Julie has seen the sector’s impressive growth and is excited by the ongoing opportunities for innovation and development. She is passionate about supporting the industry with research that empowers organisations to make data-driven decisions and move forward with confidence. Julie holds a Bachelor of Business (Tourism) from Victoria University, a Graduate Diploma.

Lawrence is an experienced Survey Programmer with over 10 years of service in both public and commercial market research sectors. He specialises in using his analytical skills to design and implement a broad range of effective survey instruments, dashboards and sampling methods.  

He is an expert in using Qualtrics, IER’s preferred survey platform, with an in-depth knowledge in advanced survey logic and branching, custom JavaScript and HTML integration and advanced survey piping and response validation.  

In addition to this, Lawrence manages IER’s custom dashboards, building bespoke visualisations with multiple data points and dynamic filters, delivering real time data for clients and advanced insights.  

Lawrence finds his role in the event sector particularly fulfilling, as it aligns with his passion for major events and festivals. Originally from New Zealand, he chose to move to Melbourne for its vibrant community atmosphere, which he believes is partly shaped by the city’s diversity and the cultural, arts, and sports events it hosts.  

Lawrence holds a Bachelor of Management Studies and a Postgraduate degree in Information Technology. 

Livia has worked as a Market Research Assistant since 2023, working closely with senior consultants on a broad range of major event related projects. She is an integral part of the consulting team at IER, where she specialises in report writing, data analysis and coding, survey development and client presentations.  

When it comes to preparing research for major events, Livia is thorough and organised, demonstrating a high level of attention to detail and adaptability to the business’s needs. She has worked with a number of IER’s major event clients with some of her most memorable and rewarding experiences working on the BBC Earth Exhibition In Melbourne – a project where Livia contributed to every stage of the research process.  

Livia loves working at IER because of the team’s emphasis on growth and skill development, working in an encouraging environment, with a strong focus on learning and continual improvement. She enjoys being part of the broader major event sector where her contributions can make a tangible impact on communities, whether through large or small events that foster social connections and stimulate local economies. 

Livia holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s degree in Applied Psychology from the University of Melbourne.

Jen is a Senior Consultant at IER and has been with the company since 2019. In her role, she brings extensive experience in research and project management. She is deeply involved in the preparation of detailed research reports, which include data analysis and infographics. Jen also plays a key role in the research process, assisting in data preparation and ensuring the quality and accuracy of data sets through thorough quality control measures.

In addition to this, Jen manages and organises some of IER’s field research teams, develops staff briefs and staff training in order to collect valuable insights for major events. She is also responsible for managing relationships with key clients, including Tourism and Events Queensland, regional councils, and various tourism bodies, providing them with strategic tourism and events research.

With over 30 years of project management experience in the media and events sectors, Jen has built a strong reputation working with leading companies such as DDB Sydney, Headjam Creative, Coverpoint Marketing, Louis & Co, Cream Studios, Drawing Book Studios, Pacific Publications, and DSD Design. Her diverse background in these industries has given her a well-rounded understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in the field of event research and client management.

Jen finds great fulfillment in managing the research process for events, as it allows organisers to focus on delivering memorable experiences to their audiences. She takes pride in providing valuable insights that help clients secure vital funding and sponsorships, which in turn drives the success and growth of their events. Her work not only supports the development of events sector, but also fuels her passion for contributing to regional communities and making a positive impact.