The Iceberg Excellence Awards for Advocacy presented at AIME Leaders Forum hosted by ABEA

Lyn Lewis-Smith, chief executive of Business Events Sydney, and Gary Grimmer, chair of GainingEdge, have been awarded the inaugural The Iceberg Excellence Awards for Advocacy of the Business & Professional Events Sector at the AIME Leaders Forum hosted by Australian Business Events Association (ABEA).

The Iceberg, a global advocacy movement founded in 2017, is presented by the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) and supported by the world’s leading industry associations, events, media, and ambassadors seeking to illustrate the value of business events beyond tourism to governments and community investors.

The Iceberg founder and producer, James Latham, acknowledged the outstanding contribution of both Lewis-Smith and Grimmer and presented the awards with Peter King, Chair, ABEA.

“Lyn has been at the vanguard of research, data, and storytelling in our sector. Working with her colleagues from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Lyn has built the pillars of advocacy that have advanced the narrative of the business events sector beyond its consumption economy,” Latham stated.

Turning to Grimmer, Latham added, “No-one has devoted more to policy engagement than Gary. His understanding of business and professional events as drivers of governments’ social, economic, and societal agendas and goals has enabled the sector to be recognised as a change agent, and not just a travel agent.”

Working with professors Carmel Foley and Deborah Edwards of UTS, Lewis-Smith inspired the UTS ‘Beyond Tourism Benefits: A Social Legacy’ Report, ‘The Power of Conferences’, and ‘The Legacies of Business Events’ which have been shared and replicated worldwide as blueprints for sector storytelling.

Grimmer’s work includes the ‘Meet Denmark Report’ and ‘BestCities Global Alliance Legacy Measurement’ project, both of which have been instrumental in highlighting the broader impacts of business events beyond immediate economic benefits. His collaborative approach and dedication to advancing the sector have led to significant recognition and appreciation from industry peers globally. Grimmer has also chaired The Iceberg’s Global Advisory Board since its inception. Latham added, “Lyn and Gary’s achievements serve as an inspiration for others in the industry to continue championing the broader benefits of business events, ensuring their lasting impact on communities and economies worldwide.”