The Events Industry Council (EIC), an umbrella organisation representing more than 30 industry associations, announced the annual Hall of Leaders inductees, along with the other recipients of its annual Global Awards, which honour exemplary achievements from leadership, innovation to social impact within the global business events industry. The EIC’s Global Awards Celebration was held on 10 October 2022 at ARIA Resort & Casino, right before the start of IMEX America in Las Vegas.
2022 EIC Hall of Leaders recipients:
- Larry Alexander, President and CEO (retired), Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Sandy Biback, CMP Emeritus, CMM, Founder, Meeting Professionals Against Human Trafficking
- Dr. Krzysztof Celuch, CEO, Celuch Consulting
- Noor Ahmad Hamid, COO, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau
- Bob McClintock, Executive Vice President Convention Centers, ASM Global
- Butch Spyridon, President and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation.
Professional Career Progression of Noor Ahmad Hamid
Noor Ahmad Hamid is a highly regarded and well-respected figure of the business events and tourism industry globally, with more than 35 years of vast experience from the government sector to the corporate entities, the association world and currently in a destination marketing organisation, MyCEB.
Noor is the Chief Operating Officer at Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), where he is responsible for enhancing strategic direction, community collaboration and operational processes. He is also a founding member of the advisory board for ASAE Asia Pacific GIC and member of the Asia Pacific Federation of Association Organisations committee.
Throughout the past 35 years of his career, he has been the driving force behind many projects, both local and international. His knowledge and expertise are sought after by many associations, business entities and governments. With all the experience he has gathered over the years, he aims to help the local business events industry thrive amid new challenges.
Noor started his career in 1984 at Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board. After successfully handling several international assignments, he was tasked with leading the Tourism Malaysia Los Angeles Office, where he had his first experience with the convention and incentive market. Upon returning to Malaysia after four years in the US, he directed the World Amateur Inter-Team Golf Championship for 6 years, which positioned Malaysia as a viable destination in the global golf fraternity.
He left Tourism Malaysia in 2000 to join the corporate sector, where he broadened his knowledge and skills in public relations, marketing, event management and strategic planning.
In 2009, Noor was appointed as Regional Director Asia Pacific for the International Congress and Convention Association, an international association headquartered in the Netherlands. Within a year, he quickly reestablished the Asia Pacific office in Malaysia as a Global Research Center for innovative research projects. He successfully made the Asia Pacific Chapter the largest regional group in the world with more than 300 members across 16 countries.
Celebrating the lifetime achievements, Hall of Leaders Award
Since 1985, the Hall of Leaders award is the premier recognition programme in the meetings, conventions, exhibitions, hospitality and travel industry – our industry’s “lifetime achievement award.” The award recognises outstanding leaders who have undoubtedly shaped the industry, as well as their endless quality contributions towards the business events industry.
The six inductees of 2022 join 143 previous recipients, each of whom has had a significant legacy impact on the global business events sector. Have a glimpse on the Hall of Leaders Timeline: