Legends ASM Global (APAC & MENA) chairman & CEO Harvey Lister AM (pictured) has been inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the events and entertainment sector for more than 50 years. The induction dinner, held at the ASM Global-managed Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, was attended by over 1,000 business leaders.
“It’s a great honour to be recognised as one of this great state’s influential business leaders and to have so many family, friends and colleagues who have been with me on this incredible journey over the last 50 years share in the celebrations,” Lister said.
Lister reflected on a career involving a series of businesses presenting more than 40,000 major events across sport, the arts, convention and exhibitions, including Olympic and Paralympic Games, G20 meetings, World Cups and thousands of conferences and concerts.
“Our team of over 2,000 staff across Queensland’s favourite venues are a big part of this award and I am proud of the role they play in the success of our many venues here and around the world,” he added. “We don’t just provide jobs for people, we create careers for our team.
“We have people from Brisbane working all over the world and now, after joining with the US based Legends last year, our combined network of over 412 venues around the world including 38 of the great stadiums of the world, hundreds of indoor entertainment arenas and 86 major convention centres brings opportunities for all our team.”
“I’ve been lucky to spend a lifetime in this industry, and it’s still the people, the partnerships, and the power of live events that inspire me every day.”
“We often say that events change lives — and I believe that now more than ever. Whether it is a concert, a sporting match, a community gathering, or a medical conference — these moments bring us together in ways that matter deeply. That’s the magic of what we do.”
He added that next year will see celebrations of the 40th anniversary of Brisbane Entertainment Centre following the recent 30th anniversary celebrations of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre at Southbank.
After a series of mergers, Lister secured management for Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Cairns Convention Centre, Sydney’s Olympic Stadium (now known as Accor Stadium), a network of five cultural centres and live theatres in Perth, Brisbane’s 52,000 seat Suncorp Stadium and the Darwin Convention Centre.
The business grew to include management of venues outside of Australia including the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, and the Wukesong Arena in Beijing (now Cadillac Arena).
In 2012, the new 15,000 seat Perth Arena and in 2015, Sydney’s International Convention Centre joined the family of venues managed by Harvey’s business at the time, AEG Ogden. Earlier this year, ASM Global delivered the Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong, a 50,000-seat dome stadium, 10,000 seat arena and 5,000 seat Sports Ground.
The Hall of Fame event featured a digital story charting Lister’s journey, which will become part of the permanent public record in a dedicated and purpose-built space at the State Library of Queensland and is available here.
