About Event Management Solutions

Event Management Solutions Australia (EMS Australia) was founded in 2007 by Ian and Rebecca Harwood. With growth in the event market many of the established event delivery companies were focusing on developing their own portfolio of events. Unfortunately, this left charity events with limited options when looking for professional assistance in delivering their fundraising and awareness programs. This is where EMS Australia can bring professional, focused and delivery of world class event management solutions.

We are solutions-focused and provide the highest level of service to managed events.

Specialising in mass-participation sporting events, Event Management Solutions Australia can offer a wealth of knowledge in the logistical procedures associated with developing and managing world-class large-scale events, such as participant registration, venue servicing, and risk management planning. Over the last twelve months EMS Australia have successfully delivered several events and have assisted the associated charities to raise over $10 million. EMS also offers services such as branding activation and have years of experience with representing brands and charities at events and exhibitions.

Ian Harwood

Ian is a leader in his field with 25 years of national and international experience on events ranging from charity runs, through to international World Championship events such as World Triathlon Championships.

Ian has been involved in the development of what are now iconic events, including The Sunday Mail Bridge to Brisbane Fun Run and MS Brissie to the Bay Bike Ride. He was able to maintain growth across these events and further develop them (among others) in the changing Brisbane landscape.

He has also developed events that others thought impossible, such as the Enduro World Series in Derby, Tasmania. The event brought over 5000 people to the town, plus millions of view online and two ‘Trail of the Year’ awards. He then made history in 2023 by managing the first ever World Cups held on back-to-back weekends by the same team.

Rebecca Harwood

Rebecca, a founding partner of Event Management Solutions Australia, has spent over 25 years managing major events across Australia and internationally. Rebecca had the opportunity to manage a variety of major mass participation events, such as The Sunday Mail Bridge to Brisbane, Mater International Women’s Day Fun Run, Brisbane to the Gold Coast Cycle, and the Enduro World Series and World Cup events.

Following her international dream, Rebecca worked in Canada and the UK on a number of world class events such as the Snowboarding World Cup and the London Marathon. Rebecca also worked on the 2014 G20 Brisbane summit to provide venue, transport, and security management for  Obama’s United States of America delegation.

Rebecca has built a strong reputation within the events industry and is widely recognised and respected as an expert in her field particularly as an event director, developer and strategic consultant.