Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre general manager Bob O’Keeffe was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in this year’s Australia Day Awards for outstanding services to tourism and business in Queensland.
Australia’s longest serving convention centre general manager, O’Keeffe has been at the helm of the award winning Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre since it opened in 1995 and has been witness to an extraordinary era of growth and success for both the centre and Brisbane.
He has overseen more than 20,000 events, including the hosting of the 2014 G20 Leaders’ Summit, which have welcomed 17.7 million people through the doors.
Queensland Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones described O’Keeffe as pivotal to Queensland’s tourism industry.’
“Bob is one of Queensland’s longest serving business leaders, a great achievement in its own right,” she said. “He is the reason that the Convention Centre has won 171 awards, which is more than five awards for every year he has been in charge. Our convention centre has been judged the world’s best in the AIPC APEX Awards 2016 – 2018.
“Today we recognise that Bob has received one of Australia’s highest accolades by joining the Order of Australia as a Member and in the 24 years he’s run the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre Bob has been a pivotal figure in Queensland’s tourism industry.”
O’Keeffe said he was proud to be recognised in this way “for doing something I love”.
“I am extremely humbled by this award and hope it helps to shine the spotlight on the importance of the business events industry, which drives international visitors to our shores, showcasing Brisbane and Queensland to the world,” he said.
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