Guy Ngata
General Manager, Mercedes-Benz Arena (Shanghai, China)

New Zealander Guy Ngata, 37, is the accomplished General Manager of the Mercedes-Benz Arena, and the General Manager of the arena management company AEG-OPG Culture & Sports Co., Ltd.

His track record in staging major events has ranged from concerts by many of the world’s leading concert artists including recently Faye Wong, Jacky Cheung, The Eagles, Usher to international basketball, wrestling, boxing, netball, Rugby Union Matches, stage shows, music awards and other major gala events.

Guy arrived in Shanghai in February 2010 to head operation for the Mercedes-Benz Arena. The 365-day-a-year live entertainment & lifestyle destination which redefines world class venue management in China – delivering unprecedented service and public interactions exceeding expectations of artists, sponsors, guests and business partners.

After 184 consecutive days of operation during World Expo Shanghai 2010 and over eight (8) million visitors to the venue during that period Mercedes-Benz Arena was opened.  A year after opening Mercedes-Benz Arena is acknowledged as one of the major Arena’s in the world.

Guy is a former Coaching Manager for the Auckland Rugby Football Union where he formed his passion for live entertainment and sporting activity. He was subsequently Operations and Events Manager for Trusts Stadium during the venue construction and implementation stages in Auckland and, prior to moving to China, Director of Operations and then CEO of the Vector Arena – New Zealand’s largest indoor multi-purpose arena and the jewel in Auckland’s entertainment crown.

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, he is married with two sons and has a Sport and Recreation degree. He also completed post graduate studies in PR and Communications.

Guy describes moving to China as “a challenge and the career defining opportunity that provides tremendous motivation”.  He adds: “China is the focus of the world’s business communities and the facility management and entertainment industries share that focus. It’s not just about coming to see an event, it’s how sponsors and patrons expectations can be changed and then exceeded and how sponsors can take the opportunity to align with the growing entertainment market in China.

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