Recognised for his ongoing contribution to the associations market and the meetings and events industry nationally and internationally the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre’s (MCEC) chief executive Leigh Harry has taken out the MEETINGS: Review 2010 Personality of the Year.
Helping put Melbourne and Australia on the world stage for meetings and events, Harry has become an ambassador for the industry and holds many notable positions in the business.
Driving the flexibility of the MCEC and its commitment to sustainability the new convention centre, which opened in June 2009, has helped strengthen the Victorian economy and allowed new business with an increase in larger conferences held at the venue.
Leigh Harry said: “It’s a great honour to be recognised in this way and join key industry figures who have also received this award over the years.
“The business events industry is essential for building international relations and provides Victoria and Australia great economic benefits, which is why I’m so passionate about ensuring this industry continues to thrive.”
On an international level Harry is the president of the Joint Meetings Industry Council and was the president of the International Congress and Convention Association from 2006 to 2010.
Nationally he is the deputy chairman of the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau; chairman of the Business Events Council of Australia; and past president of Meetings and Events Australia.
The MEETINGS: Review is a global web, TV, and online news network for the meetings industry. Introducing Personality of the Year in 2008, the award honours a key meetings industry personality voted by their readers. Maritz’s Christine Duffy and Ovation’s Padraic Gilligan have previously taken out the award.
