Senior AEG Ogden executive to head global convention venues body

Senior AEG Ogden executive, Geoff Donaghy, has become the first Asia Pacific region representative to be elected to lead the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC).

Donaghy was elected to lead the peak association for convention centres worldwide at the AIPC's annual meeting in Cape Town, South Africa.

A board member for the past eight years and Vice-President for the past six, Donaghy succeeds outgoing president, Edgar Hirt from Hamburg, Germany.

Brussels based AIPC comprises more than 170 of the world's leading venues across 55 countries and is committed to advancing recognition of the role of convention centres in economic development and undertakes extensive research, educational and networking programs.

As AEG Ogden's Director of Convention Centres (now numbering eight under management), Donaghy has been a strong advocate for encouraging and recognising excellence in venue management.

Donaghy will also assume the role of Chief Executive at the new $1 billion International Convention Centre Sydney project at Darling Harbour which commences construction in December this year.

Acknowledging his position, Donaghy said that while it was a great honour to be recognised by his global peers, the appointment was equally a recognition of the profile, even at this early stage, of ICC Sydney and the Darling Harbour Live project in world markets.

AEG Ogden Chairman and Chief Executive Harvey Lister congratulated Donaghy on his appointment as AIPC President, stating "it is a credit to Geoff to be the first industry executive from this part of the world to be afforded this honour in the 55 year history of AIPC.

"Geoff is renowned in the industry for setting the highest standards of service and innovation in the convention centres we manage, and has a network of industry contacts second to none.

"He has the ability to take AIPC to another level while at the same time overseeing AEG Ogden's expanding venue network and establishing ICC Sydney as one of the world's leading facilities."

For more information go to www.aegogden.com