Ernest Vincent, chief executive of The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre (QEIICC), has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the exhibition industry. The award was announced as part of the Queen’s birthday honours list on June 16.

Vincent stated: “To be appointed OBE is an immense and unexpected honour. For more than 35 years, I’ve been able to contribute to the exhilarating business of international meetings, exhibitions and events. I have been associated with some of the world’s best and busiest venues and with a great many highly talented people.”

Vincent has been at the helm of the QEIICC since 2003 but has management experience throughout the world, including at Toronto’s National Trade Centre, Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre, The Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre and Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit Convention Centre. He was also part of the management team that bid for the development rights to construct The Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre.