Along with recognising the efforts of retiring Branch Chairs and Board members, Mr King awarded the Outstanding Individual Contribution to ATEC Branch to Michelle Docherty from Crown Resorts Perth, along with the Branch of the year award to ATEC’s Victoria/Tasmania branch.
SYDNEY- ATEC has recognised the contribution of some of the industry’s most dedicated people through a range of awards and the prestigious ATEC Life Membership bestowed on former Federal Tourism Minister, Martin Ferguson AM.
The former Minister along with former Managing Director, Felicia Mariani and state Branch Managers were recognised at ATEC’s annual Meeting Place Gala Dinner held at The Star in Sydney last night.
“The ATEC Life Member award is offered from time to time to a person the organisation feels has made a significant contribution to our industry and has helped to push forth the tourism cause in an outstanding way,” ATEC Chairman, John King OAM said.
“This is only the 13th to have been awarded, only one of which has previously been awarded to a politician which is the current Treasurer, and former Tourism Minister, the Hon. Joe Hockey.”
Mr Ferguson said he wanted to acknowledge that ATEC was a great organisation, and the value of the Young ATEC National Development Program, with program graduates receiving their certificates on the night.
“Please continue this campaign in developing young people because tourism is an industry in Australia that has got a future,” Mr Ferguson said.
“Australia is going through a transition in the nature of our economy yet again. I’m pleased to say that in a recent report that nominated the five key industries for our future, tourism was amongst those five industries.
“As Minister, I set out to ensure that Canberra and each State and Territory Government understood that the industry had to be taken seriously for one, main reason. It’s about employment for Australians.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
