Oztix Founders Saluted at Bigsound For Outstanding Contribution

As it celebrates 20 years in business, Oztix, Australia’s leading independent ticketing specialist, takes a bow.

QMusic this week tapped Oztix co-founders Brian “Smash” Chladil and Stuart Field with the award for Outstanding Contribution to the music industry.

Natalie Strijland, president of QMusic, and Hon Leeanne Enoch MP, minister for Queensland Arts, were on hand to present the award Tuesday, Sept. 5, as Bigsound 2023 kicked off in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley.

“Bigsound is very close to our heart and it’s very humbling to be recognised by our industry,’ comments Chladil Oztix. “We have always made a point of putting our ‘money where our mouth is’ by supporting music industry events all over Australia, and Bigsound is at the core of that”.

“All of our Bigsound event partners are very important and are testament to both the fact that the music industry is full of generous passionate people, and that Bigsound represents an incredibly important culture and business hub for the music industry,” adds Strijland, whose trade body organises the annual showcase and conference extravaganza.

“But this year on the eve of their 20th anniversary launch, we thought it was important to acknowledge the incredible contribution our two Queensland ticketing pioneers have made to the music industry. We are fortunate to have had their support for over 14 years as a major sponsor”.

The plaudit caps two decades since Smash and Field started the business at a house in Toowong, a vibrant inner-west Brisbane suburb popular with students.

Now, Oztix is all grown up, the business boasts new headquarters in Woolloongabba, and its planning for the years ahead.

Earlier this year, Oztix acquired competitor Local Tickets. Through that arrangement, all Local Tickets employees joined Oztix, while its CEO and founder Kristen Goldup was named brand director across the enlarged business.

“At any given time,” Oztix commercial director Seth Clancy told industry guest at a launch function at the new HQ, “the business boasts 4,000 events on sale across the country across both platforms.” Prior to the acquisition, Oztix sold close to 3 million tickets each year.

Currently, the business employs over 50 Australian-based staff and hundreds of contractors each year, and expects to inject over $350 million into the Australian economy this year.

Bigsound wraps-up Friday, Sept. 8.