The Power of Conferences: stories of serendipity, innovation and driving social change by Deborah Edwards

The Power of Conferences: Stories of serendipity, innovation and driving social change asks ten notable Australians to reflect on the role that conferences have played in their personal and professional achievements. Through their stories the power of conferences is revealed, providing evidence of a deep and lasting impact on the development and success of Australian luminaries and their communities. This book arose from a long term collaboration with Business Events Sydney. Deborah Edwards is an Associate Professor in the Business School, University of Technology Sydney. She is a Research Associate of the Australian Centre for Event Management (ACEM). With a wide interest in a variety of areas including business events, visitor experiences and tourism sustainability, she has published extensively. Her previous collaborative books include Innovation Networks for Sustainable Tourism: Case studies and cross-case analysis (2012), Understanding the Sustainable Development of Tourism (2010), City Spaces - Tourist Places: Urban Tourism Precincts (2008), and Innovation for Sustainable Tourism: International Case Studies (2008). Her industry experience underpins her philosophy as a researcher and she views industry liaison as integral to delivering applied research that assists industry to meet desired objectives.