The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) has inducted Professor Leo Jago OAM and Professor Margaret Deery into the AACB Hall of Fame.

The announcement was made at AACB’s Destination Business Events Gala Dinner held at Crown Aviary on 20 September, in Melbourne.

Jago and Deery were recognised for their impact on the AACB and its members for some 21 years, advising convention bureaux around the country how to best value the economic benefit of business events to their respective destinations.

This work led to ongoing improvements to the AACB’s annual performance reports over the past 16 years, through to the development of the association’s current market intelligence program, which now produces Forward Calendar reporting to drive government engagement and advocacy.

Jago and Deery are known across the industry for their involvement in the 2005 National Business Events Study, which is still referenced today to identify the economic contribution of the industry to Australia.

The pair said they feel honoured to be inducted into the AACB Hall of Fame.

“As researchers we have had insights into the substantial contribution that this industry makes to the economy,” they said.

“Although the AACB members compete for business, we have always been so impressed with the willingness of staff to support staff from other bureaux and to share data for the benefit of all members. We have not seen this in other sectors in which we have worked.

“We would like to thank the AACB and IMEX for making this award possible; it is a great honour to join such a distinguished group of Hall of Fame inductees from earlier years.”