Sector News

oneworld partnership to benefit AIME visitors

Reed Travel Exhibitions has announced a global agreement designating oneworld® as its exclusive airline alliance partner for 19 events in 2016, including the Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) in Melbourne, 23 – 24 February 2016. From December 2015 visitors to AIME will be able to make flight reservations via www.oneworld.com/events for travel to and from AIME 2016 in Melbourne, Australia, and receive discounted fares…

ACT moves to change definition of charity

In a move which has flummoxed the Community Council for Australia (CCA) but unfazed the Australian charity regulator, the ACT Government is moving to introduce its own definition of charity with the recent introduction into parliament of the Revenue (Charitable Organisations) Legislation Amendment Bill 2015. If passed, the legislation will block certain peak bodies and professional groups from claiming charitable status unless they qualify for an exemption. Whilst the CCA is concerned…

Boating Industry Association appoints National CEO

The Boating Industry Association of NSW & SA has today announced the appointment of Howard Glenn as National Chief Executive Officer. Howard Glenn is no stranger to the industry having held key and senior roles in the marine divisions of the NSW Government since 2008. He has specialised in getting the private and community sectors working together with governments on complex problems. Howard has had an extensive executive career in government, non-government organisations and the private…

Conference wins bring $20 million boon to Brisbane economy

Brisbane Marketing and the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) have worked in partnership to secure conferences worth more than $20 million for the city so far this financial year. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the 28 business events would bring in more than 11,000 delegates and create 35,000 delegate days for the city over coming years. “This is great news for Brisbane as these conferences support our venues and hotels and provide flow-on benefits to our hospitality and…

Governance Institute appoints new President

Governance Institute of Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Pordage FGIA as its new national president for 2016. Mr Pordage has served on Governance Institute’s board since 2012 and held the position of vice-president immediately prior to his elevation to the presidency. Despite being the Institute’s youngest presidential appointment at 39 years of age, Mr Pordage has had a distinguished 17-year career in governance. He is currently company secretary for four listed…

Financial Planning Association CEO Mark Rantall to step down in February 2016

The Board of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) announced today that senior FPA executive Dante De Gori will take over as Chief Executive Officer when the current CEO Mark Rantall steps down from the role to focus on non-executive director positions at the end of February 2016. Speaking at the opening of the FPA Professionals Congress in Brisbane, Chair of the FPA Board, Mr Neil Kendall, praised Mr Rantall for advancing the cause of professionalism in the financial planning industry…

New independent Chair for Wine Grape Growers Australia

Wine Grape Growers Australia is delighted to announce the appointment of Jo Andrew as Independent Chair of the organisation. The decision was made to appoint an independent Chair following the retirement of long-standing Chair and South Australian representative Vic Patrick. “We felt we needed someone with a fresh perspective and experience in leading an organisation through a period of significant challenge and change, where we have to set the framework for the industry for the next twenty…

Rohan Lund appointed NRMA Group CEO

The National Roads & Motorists' Association has today announced the appointment of Rohan Lund as Group CEO, to commence in the role Wednesday 27 January 2016. Mr Lund will join the NRMA after having worked as the Chief Operating Officer at Foxtel and previous roles with Seven Media including the former CEO of Yahoo7, and Strategy Director at Optus. The position became available after former Group CEO Tony Stuart resigned in May. Mr Lund will bring a raft of strategic and commercial…

Convention confidence drives Perth event boom

A significant increase in the number of bookings at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre is testament to the changing face of Perth and the keen interest from national and international event organisers. General manager Nigel Keen said there had been a surge of activity which in turn had led to a boost in the value of events. “Comparing our most recent figures with those from October 2014, we’ve seen a 28 per cent increase in revenue on confirmed business for January to June…

Malaysia Hosts AICD Conference

From 20 – 23 May 2015, Malaysia hosted the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) flagship event Company Directors’ Conference, Directorship:15 in Kuala Lumpur. The AICD annual conference ventures off-shore every second year to provide members with the opportunity to learn more about the business, political and cultural environments of the selected destinations and to provide the opportunity to delve into global issues beyond the Australian perspectives. With the theme…

Kevin Spacey to appear via hologram at ASFA Conference

In an Australian association first, the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) is featuring award winning actor Kevin Spacey via hologram on the first day of its three day annual Conference in Brisbane. Cutting edge hologram technology not only pushes boundaries but adds a unique element to conferences to captivate audiences. ASFA is wanting to share the experience and so is inviting other association professionals to witness Kevin Spacey talk on digital disruption.…