John Brumby AO has been appointed chairperson of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust (MCET).
Mr Brumby’s contribution to public life has been vast, serving for more than ten years as Treasurer and then Premier of Victoria. He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in January 2017.
As Premier, Mr Brumby led early development of Victoria’s $1 billion Comprehensive Cancer Centre, the $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
Mr Brumby regularly speaks at forums in Australia, New Zealand, China and the United States on issues around the global economy, innovation, superannuation and regional development.
He replaces the outgoing chairperson Robert Annells, who has been a member of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust – and its predecessor Melbourne Exhibition Centre Trust – since 1994.
Under Mr Annells’ leadership the MCEC has been recognised as Australasia’s Leading Meetings and Convention Centre from 2012-2016.
Mr Annells has also overseen the beginning of the expansion of MCEC which is expected to deliver an annual boost of $167 million to Victoria’s economy, and bring in an additional 74,000 international visitors every year.
Mr Brumby’s three year appointment as Chair of the Trust will commence on 11 August 2017.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren
“I am delighted to formally announce the appointment of John Brumby as chairperson of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust.”
“John’s extensive experience and contribution to Victoria make him an outstanding choice to successfully lead the trust, and the future of this world-renowned Centre.”
“I thank Robert Annells for his work as Chair, and to his contribution to business events and conventions in Victoria over many years – his dedication has been crucial to our state’s success in this sector.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020