John Drummond Montgomery

John Drummond Montgomery is Tourism and Events Queensland's Group Executive Events. Prior to joining TEQ, John was regarded as one of Australia's most innovative theatrical lighting designers.

John's skill is well demonstrated by his diversity: opera, ballet, theatre, rock concerts, arena and special events. John has created lighting for performance, events and architecture in 95 cities in 37 countries on five continents. Amongst many, he has worked with The Sydney Dance Co, Nederland's Dance Co, Het Nationale Ballet, Bat Dor Dance Co of Israel, Opera Australia, Australian Ballet and National Theatre Zaire. He has worked with the best choreographers and directors around the world but counts the creative relationship with Graeme Murphy and Kristian Fredrikson as a career highlight. John was International Marketing Director for Bytecraft (now PRG) and was responsible for internationalising Bytecraft's stage automation and lighting systems, culminating in Australian Theatre Technology being purchased for the world's biggest theatre, the China Grand National Theatre in Beijing.

After his appointment as Australia's Consul General (and Senior Trade Commissioner) to Japan based in Osaka concluded, John returned to Australia where he was responsible for the creation of some of the biggest outdoor events Australia has seen, including VIVID Sydney, 'Breakfast on the Bridge' the celebrations for the Sydney Harbour Bridge's 75th birthday and (as Executive Producer) the Sydney Festival’s inaugural 'Festival First Night'.