Frankfurt, 27 May 2010 – The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) has awarded the 2010 IMEX-AACB Vin Barron Award for Australian Bureaux staff to Deborah Lonne, a coordinator with Brisbane’s economic development agency, Brisbane Marketing.
This award, co-sponsored by IMEX and Qantas, is designed to foster career development and encourage excellence in the future leaders environment of Australia’s convention bureaux. The prize was renamed in 2008 in honour of Vin Barron, ex-CEO of Tasmania’s Convention Bureau.
As the AACB winner, Deborah Lonne has been treated to return air travel to Frankfurt with Qantas Airways, luxury accommodation in Frankfurt, a generous cash allowance for expenses, free attendance at IMEX 2010 and will also be presenting her thoughts on ‘the challenges facing a destination promoting itself for business events in the next decade’ at the IMEX-MPI Future Leaders Forum.
Officially announced at the IMEX Gala Dinner last night, Deborah received her award from IMEX Chairman, Ray Bloom, with the following sentiments: “I am so excited to have won this prestigious award. It really is a once in a lifetime experience to be able to attend IMEX in Frankfurt in this manner and meet with so many influential people in the incentive and convention industry all at once. I’m really enjoying the chance for personal and professional development and look forward to making the most out of the rest of my stay here in Frankfurt.”
AACB Executive Director, Mike Cannon, noted that Deborah had impressed the judges with her positive and proactive attitude and the clear presentation of her submission.
