From securing hosting rights of the AFL Grand Final until 2057, to introducing new categories of membership to winning numerous event management, environmental and customer service awards, Steven Smith’s term as MCC President has been full of highlights.
After four years at the helm, Steven has officially handed over the presidency to Michael Happell and has also stepped down from the committee after serving the Club for more than two decades.Elected President in March 2015, Steven is proud of what the club has accomplished during his tenure.
This includes securing the agreement with the AFL for the MCG to host the Grand Final through until 2057.
As part of this negotiation, an agreement was reached with the MCG Trust to extend the club’s lease of the Members Reserve and role as managers of the ground until 2057.
Last year saw the Club recognised nationally and internationally for many of its customer service, event management and environmental sustainability projects.
The club’s innovative CARE programme was one of Steven's key focuses after his election and the programme has been enthusiastically embraced by staff. The CARE project won the Australian award for customer service last November and, in January this year, was announced as the winner of the prestigious International Service Excellence Award.
During Steven's tenure the club has actively pursued its commitment to environmental responsibility to make the MCG one of the `greenest’ stadiums in the world.
The Club recycles around 80 per cent of waste, energy consumption has significantly reduced over recent years with projects introduced in conjunction with Siemens and the club’s dedicated organics dehydrator, which converts food waste into mulch for Yarra Park, has won a number of international industry awards.
Steven’s other highlights include:
- Introducing MCC Plus to replace ageing membership cards and include a debit card facility to assist members with speed of service at bars and food outlets at the ground and data collation;
- Overseeing the Smart Stadium project, which involved a digital upgrade to the stadium;
- Heading up the sub-committee to appoint the new CEO, Stuart Fox to replace Stephen Gough;
- Overseeing the implementation of international best standard security at the ground.
“It’s been an honour to serve as President of this great club for the last four years and I have been incredibly lucky to have had one of the best jobs in the world,” Steven said.
“My only regret is I wasn't able to oversee a Demons premiership during my time - but hopefully that isn't too far away now.”