Michael Brischetto had more than one reason to celebrate at last Friday’s NSW Tourism Awards, taking home both the 2010 Young Achiever in Tourism Award and a place in the Australian Centre for Event Management’s (ACEM) Executive Certificate in Event Management.
The licensee and co-owner of Katoomba’s Carrington Hotel beat out strong competition to claim the ACEM-sponsored award, which recognises the accomplishments of outstanding young achievers in the NSW tourism industry.
ACEM Director Robert Harris, who presented the award to Brischetto with Minister for Tourism Jodi McKay, said ACEM was proud to support the development of the state’s young tourism leaders.
ACEM director Robert Harris with Michael Brischetto
“The Young Achiever in Tourism Award not only highlights initiative, dedication and commitment to the tourism industry, it also nurtures and encourages young people to reach even greater heights in the future and I think we found a most deserving winner in Michael Brischetto,” said Harris.
Brischetto bought his share in the Carrington Hotel in 2004 at the age of 27 and while initially a passive investor, he quickly became involved on a day to day basis and assumed the role of licensee in 2006, planning and project managing the restoration and redevelopment of Australia’s oldest tourist resort hotel.
An active member of both the local community and the tourism industry, Michael is also the president of the Winter Magic Festival organising committee which runs Australia’s largest community festival; a director of Blue Mountains Lithgow and Oberon Tourism and chairman of the organisation’s marketing special task force.
He has also represented the region on international trade missions to India, China, South East Asia and North America.
“Michael left behind a successful real estate career to pursue a tourism career path and we hope the added prize of a place in the Executive Certificate in Event Management will help him further develop this already-impressive career,” said Harris.
Taught by the internationally renowned ACEM based at the University of Technology in Sydney (UTS), the Executive Certificate is regarded as the most prestigious short-course in event management amongst prospective employers and industry leaders in government, corporate and not-for-profit organisations.
“While the Executive Certificate does provide an introduction to the industry for graduates or young professionals, advanced event managers also benefit from training with ACEM to keep abreast of industry trends and innovations and network with the leaders of the industry,” said Harris.
Presented by the Tourism Industry Council NSW and supported by Tourism NSW, the 2010 NSW Tourism Awards is the largest and most prestigious event on the NSW tourism calendar and was held at the Grand Pavilion at Rosehill Gardens.
