The International Association of Convention
Centres (AIPC) has appointed a Kiwi to the board for the first time.
Ross Steele, general manager of Te Pae Christchurch,
becomes the first AIPC member from New Zealand to hold a leadership position.
Steele said with Te Pae Christchurch and
Tākina in Wellington now operational, and NZICC on its way, there was no better
time to be representing the region on the world stage.
"Christchurch and New Zealand have a
tremendous amount to offer the international business events community and I'm
looking forward to advocating for and raising the profile of New Zealand
business events amongst our international colleagues," he said.
Steele is a long-time member of AIPC and said
the organisation has a history of supporting both innovation and the future
generation of event professionals through regular events and its Future Shapers
programme.
"I'm looking forward to sharing the
lessons learnt from AIPC activities with colleagues here in New Zealand to help
further grow our knowledge and capability. We already have great city
infrastructure and a supportive local sector, but I believe the continued
exchange of knowledge of ideas benefits everyone."
Steele is a long-time advocate
for business events. Currently a member of the Business Events Industry
Aotearoa (BEIA) board, throughout his 25-year career he has also spent a
number of years in similar board and governance positions in Australia,
including 11 years with the Business Events Council of Australia.
