Global Award for Business Events Head

Business Events Sydney Chief Executive Jon Hutchison has received a special Global Leader award at the IMEX 2011 Academy Awards in Frankfurt, Germany.

The international award given to Hutchison is in recognition of his service to the tourism and events industries over many years, according to peak national body, Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF).

TTF Chief Executive John Lee said Hutchison has made an invaluable contribution to tourism and events in Australia, stating "Jon Hutchison has been instrumental in positioning Sydney as one of the worldï¾s top business events destinations.

"Thanks to the efforts of Jon and his staff at BESydney, Sydney is ranked in the top 10 business meeting destinations worldwide and second only to Singapore in the Asia-Pacific.

"Importantly, business events profile Australia to visiting world leaders, fostering investment, export development, the exchange of ideas and many other positive legacies.

"Business events visitors are very valuable to the economy - they stay in hotels, eat in restaurants, go shopping, visit attractions and use taxis, all of which supports jobs.

"International business event delegates spend up to five times more than an average leisure tourist.

"In addition, many conference and convention visitors bring family with them and add a holiday to a regional destination to their business trip.

"Jon Hutchison has played a vital role for many years in ensuring that Sydney is a great place to hold a business event, thereby driving economic activity and supporting jobs in the city and beyond.

"This award is a fitting tribute to his long-standing dedication to improving Australian tourism."