Conference boss Steve Piper has joined the board of the international trade body for convention and exhibition centres AIPC.

Mr Piper, who is head of venues for Brighton and Hove City Council, replaces Christina Nicholson of Birmingham NEC.

The AIPC represents conference venues from more than 50 countries.

Mr Piper, whose responsibilities include the Brighton Centre and the Hove Centre, has been an AIPC member for five years and has presented papers at industry conferences and exhibitions on its behalf.

He said: "This is a great honour. I will be able to look at how other venues work, which will be of great help when planning the new Brighton Centre."

Friday July 25, 2003