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He is particularly adept at bringing events together to generate business for his clients, being involved in all stages of the process ... from the conception, through the event's organisation to the hosting itself. As seen by the quotes below his clients have been well served.
Steve has been on the public speaking circuit for the last 25 years, was heavily involved in 2011 Rugby World Cup hospitality in both the North and South Islands, and now assists groups and individuals in public speaking and presentation skills.
After a full-time career in newspapers and radio, Steve successfully launched and administered the Skeggs Foundation (1993-2001) and the Otago Boys' High School Foundation (2004-2009). He is now contracted as the Director of Development for the Otago Medical Research Foundation and has attracted $2,600,000 for new research projects and scholarships since January 2010.
He is a sought-after and highly respected public speaker, Master of Ceremonies and host ... and is extremely well known throughout Otago and Southland as a long-standing member of the New Zealand sporting media, being involved in print, radio and television for the last 30 years. He has broadcast cricket on radio since 1983 and rugby on Sky Television since 1996 (the last three years with the Land Rover 1st XV commentary team), he has travelled overseas on both radio and television assignments, and has covered most national sporting championships held in Dunedin in the last 25 years.
Steve has advised a number of leading sporting personalities including double Olympic Gold medallist Danyon Loader, former Silver Ferns netball captain Lesley Nicol and former New Zealand test cricketer Matthew Bell.
His contribution to the Saturday morning Newstalk ZB radio show - the All Sports Breakfast - is by far the highest rating content in the two hour programme and is the major reason the show itself is rated number one with listeners in the province aged 30-plus.
Endorsements-
Karen Bardwell, Managing Director of Optima Global Talent, after a promotional lunch Steve organised to profile the company senior executive recruitment services. The guest list included most of Dunedin's business decision makers:
"Steve, this was a fabulous lunch; you have done a great job for us and I was so proud of the event . Thank you Steve and we will be utilising your fabulous skills and service again. Cheers.'
Karen
* Ian Schofield, Senior Regional Event Manager, Rugby Travel & Hospitality, Rugby World Cup 2011
"Dear Steve, please accept our thanks from RTH - and Kris, Claire and Tarn in particular - for your participation in our hospitality programme, and the professionalism you brought to the table. Your research, preparation and delivery were exemplary and very much appreciated by our guests. I hope that, now your bit of Rugby World Cup is over, you can sit back and enjoy the rest of the Tournament and the remaining games in the magnificent Forsyth Barr Stadium. Once again, many thanks. Best regards."
Ian
* Former Monty Python member Michael Palin, who now travels the world making documentaries and writing books. Steve introduced Michael to a sellout crowd in Dunedin as he visited the city during his ‘Sahara' book promotion:
"To Steve - a thousand thanks for turning Palin into poetry. Grateful for your wit and feats of memory."
Michael Palin.
* Ian Smith, Arrow International Otago/Southland branch manager, following the development and presentation of a major black tie function at Larnach Castle. This function showcased Arrow's place as a major multi-million dollar project management company which took pride in having retained its Dunedin roots. Many of Otago and Southland's leading businessmen and decision makers attended with the keynote guest speaker being internationally acclaimed adventurer Graeme Dingle:
"Steve, we enjoyed working with you and we appreciate your input and invaluable advice in the organisation of the evening based on your years of experience. We were also very impressed with your skills as an MC in making the evening a seamless and well-run event. We took a few risks in terms of the number and variety of speakers and it was your ability to pull these elements together that made the evening work."
Ian Smith (Arrow has since managed the construction of Dunedin's $188 million Forsyth Barr Stadium)
* Paul Parsons, manager Aotea Electric Southern, after Steve organised and hosted a key client forum to discuss how the company could improve its services, following this up by way of verbal, audio and written reports, and then hosting an evening's entertainment with four guest speakers for those clients and their partners:
"Steve, just a quick thanks for your efforts in putting this event together. This has been something that has been outside the square and I have truly enjoyed seeing this evolve from its conception to reality. The night was thoroughly enjoyable and the feedback from the Aotea staff, including our partners, has been superb. You certainly need to be congratulated on the way you facilitated the evening and accumulated all of the information from our clients. Thanks again for a magnificent job well done. If you ever need a client reference from a happy customer, please send them our way."
Paul Parsons
* Anna Calver, Director of the Wellington-based Sputnik Ltd, after pre-2011 Rugby World Cup ANZ Ambassador events with Inga Tuigamala and Frank Bunce.
"Steve, thank you for your supreme professionalism and expertise. We have had a wonderful ambassador tour, with incredible feedback, which was down to the excellent show our ambassadors and MCs put on. Thanks again and warm regards."
Anna
