Shannon Thwaites, Manager – Global Business Events at Destination Gold Coast has been awarded the prestigious AACB Staff Scholarship for 2018/19. The Scholarship was announced at the AACB Annual Conference AIME Gala Dinner held at Spirt House Restaurant and Cooking School on the Sunshine Coast.
The AACB Staff Scholarship is designed to offer bureau staff an opportunity to demonstrate their professional commitment to the business events industry by delivering a project which highlights innovation and excellence.
With her winning proposal to future proof talent in the business events industry, Shannon’s project will investigate ways to cultivate specialised industry talent, analyse methods to transfer knowledge and experiences and to connect current leaders with future leaders.
Shannon has secured a $5,500 cash grant to kick start her project and international return flights to the US.
The scholarship is co-sponsored by Tourism Australia and Qantas. Both recognise the important role that convention bureaux play in attracting business events to Australia and therefore see this scholarship as an investment in the future leadership of the industry.
Penny Lion, Executive General Manager Events at Tourism Australia, and Rob Harrison, Head of Agency Partnerships, Qantas both congratulated Shannon on her success in winning the Scholarship.
Ms Lion said, “Tourism Australia is proud to support the development of our industry, in particular projects that foster and enhance talent, as ultimately this will deliver benefit for the business events sector in Australia. Congratulations to Shannon on winning the Staff Scholarship this year; we look forward to hearing about the progress of her project.”
“Shannon’s commitment to engage the industry, encouraging high performance and equipping individuals with the skills to lead Australian convention bureaux is of utmost importance to the future of the industry. Congratulations Shannon,” Mr Harrison said.
AACB CEO, Andrew Hiebl said, “AACB is committed to the recognition and encouragement of excellence. This scholarship offers bureau staff an opportunity to demonstrate professional commitment, delivery of high quality service and dedication to the business events industry. Well done Shannon.”
Shannon Thwaites said, “I am absolutely delighted to be given this opportunity to explore something I am very passionate about and I hope will benefit the industry long term. Thank you AACB, Tourism Australia and Qantas.”
The scholarship runners-up were Stephanie Heyneke, Business Development & Bidding Coordinator, Brisbane Marketing and Melissa Trost, Business Development Executive, Destination Gold Coast.
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