Australian Business Events Association reveals nationwide leadership roles

The newly formed Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) has unveiled its nationwide leadership team with 15 roles set to support the new industry body’s commitment to represent all levels of the business events industry.

The appointment of 15 stakeholder Chairs comes as new ABEA Chief Executive Melissa Brown is set to take on the Association’s senior management role as of next week.

The eight Chairs for State and Territory Chapters are ICC Sydney’s Helen Mantellato (NSW); Darwin Convention Centre’s Peter Savoff (Northern Territory), National Wine Centre of Australia’s Simon Burgess (South Australia), Business Events Tasmania’s Marnie Craig (Tasmania), ASN Events’ Tim Hancock (Victoria) and Arinex’s Jessica Ferguson (Western Australia).

The ACT and Queensland positions are yet to be confirmed.

The four Chairs overseeing the pillars that form the foundation of ABEA’s initiatives are Talk2Media’s Matt Pearce (organisers), AV1’s Keith Wootton (suppliers), Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre’s Nigel Keen (venues) and Canberra Convention Bureau’s Michael Matthews who will take on Bureaux in the interim until a long-term appointment is made by the end of the year.

The five Chairs leading Special Interest Groups are Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre’s Kym Guesdon (education, skills and pathways to industry), ICC Sydney’s Samantha Glass (sustainability): Hannover Fairs’ Amy Saleh (emerging leaders)’ Freeman Company’s Jo-Anne Kelleway (life members) and Diversified Communications’ David Longman (WH&S / risk management).

Each Group Chair will be tasked with building an inaugural Council to support group efforts and its members’ needs.

The ABEA team is compiling a register of individuals interested in participating in any of the above committees.

Email memberservices@abea.org.au to register interest.

Image: Montage from the ABEA's Uniting the Business Events Industry roadshow.