AACB restructures leadership following departure of Karen Bolinger

The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) has appointed Michael Matthews, CEO of the Canberra Convention Bureau, as its new president. The news follows the recent resignation of Karen Bolinger from the Melbourne Convention Bureau as well as her position as director and president of AACB.

Matthews is joined on the executive by Damien Kitto, CEO of the Adelaide Convention Bureau as vice president, Brett Fraser, CEO of Brisbane Marketing as treasurer, and Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO of BESydney, as immediate past president.

Andrew Hiebl, CEO of AACB, said: “On behalf of our members, we would like to thank Karen for her leadership as part of the AACB over the last 7.5 years, during which she has held the positions of treasurer, vice president, and most recently elected as president in 2017.

“Through the position of AACB president, Karen ensured that business events continue to play a key role in the Australian government's future tourism strategy as a representative on the Beyond Tourism 2020 Steering Committee.”