 What did you want to be when you grew up: A lawyer or chef.
Your first job: Apprentice chef.
Your first pay packet: $75 per week gross! – gee I am an old bastard!
Your first break: Joined a production company called MS&L Productions, which was an early pioneer in the Australian market for business theatre.
Describe your current role: We are specialists in architectural lighting, audiovisual systems and theatre design focusing primarily in the hospitality sector. I spread the word according to the good book of POV to my colleagues and friends in the industry around the world, and provide input to projects with my partners, utilising knowledge gained from my diverse background of F&B, production, technician, client and audiovisual services.
The best part of your job: Being part of developing great functional, well planned ballrooms and public areas for a new venue or refurbishment projects that work for the client, venue and operator.
The worst: Too many meetings.
Who has inspired you: A producer called John Morrison who pioneered many of the theatrical techniques and equipment still in use today.
Your best quality: I’m friendly.
Your worst quality: I have messy handwriting and am a poor speller – thank god for computers and spell check!
Your best achievement: 20 years of marriage (even after 26 years in the industry!) to my wife Deb, and also my three kids Alahana, Fraser and Chelsea.
MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN
VP, ASIA PACIFIC
CARLSON MARKETING
Michael Sullivan has been appointed vice president, Asia Pacific and managing director Australia of Carlson Marketing. Mr O’Sullivan joined Carlson Marketing in 2004 to expand the Melbourne division, then transitioning to the position of general manager business-to-business marketing. Prior to joining Carlson Marketing he was founder and managing director of Fuel Marketing Solutions.
DAWN COMBS
MANAGER
TOWNSVILLE ENTERPRISE
CONVENTION BUREAU
Dawn Combs has been appointed manager of the Townsville Enterprise Convention Bureau. Ms Combs has extensive experience in the hotel industry in sales and marketing. She joined the Townsville Enterprise team at the start of September, spending the month examining the convention bureau’s business practices and experiencing what the North Queensland region has to offer.
DIANE NORVICK
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
BCEC
Diane Norvick has been appointed director of marketing and communications at the BCEC. She is a highly regarded industry professional, having previously held senior sales and marketing roles with both Perth and Sydney convention centres and for the Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau. In other news at the centre, Shaun Mitchell, previously the centre’s events director has been appointed director of sales, and Alison Gardiner has joined the team as manager – international convention bidding. In what is a new role for the centre, Ms Gardiner will manage the international convention sales team. She will also coordinate the complex bidding process for international conventions to ensure a continued and aggressive drive into the international marketplace.
COLIN WONG
EVENT SERVICES MANAGER
SYDNEY SHOWGROUND
Colin Wong has been appointed event services manager at the Sydney Showground, replacing Samantha Cronan. Mr Wong brings more than 16 years of industry experience to the Sydney Showground gaining valuable experience in all facets of event management operations with a strong customer service background. He has spent the last three years as group restaurant director with Nouvelle Ozzy (Sydney) and has held various positions working at Crowne Plaza Australia and at hotels within the Asia Pacific.
DAVID SIMPSON
CONFERENCE AND MEETINGS SALES MANAGER
CHOICE HOTELS AUSTRALASIA
David Simpson has been appointed conference and meetings sales manager of Choice Hotels Australasia. His 10 years in corporate sales is expected to help Choice attract more meetings and conferences to its 290 properties throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific. Mr Simpson said he planned to fine-tune sales strategies with CHA properties offering meetings and conference venues, before launching a region-wide campaign aimed at professional conference organisers, event planners and business associations.
MONICA LEE-MULLER
DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR
HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE
Monica Lee-Müller has been appointed deputy managing director of the HKCEC, effective from February 2007. She will succeed Joanne Davis who last month announced her departure from HKCEC at the end of February. Ms Lee-Müller joined the HKCEC in 1994 as a sales manager in the marketing & sales department. Subsequently, she held positions as convention sales manager and exhibition & convention sales manager. She became marketing and sales manager in 1999, serving as HKCEC’s director of business development since February 2004
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