Harvey Lister Inducted Into Queensland Business Leaders Hall Of Fame

Legends ASM Global (APAC & MENA) Chairman & CEO Harvey Lister has been inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame, a salute to his outstanding contribution to the state’s events and live entertainment industries.

Lister was on hand for the induction ceremony, presented fittingly at the ASM Global-managed Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.

“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 last night,” he remarked.

“This is also a special reflection of the enduring and successful business partnership I have with Rod Pilbeam, who joined me in the mid 70s to take Aussie band Sherbet on the road.”

Since then, he continued, "we have never looked back and through a series of businesses we have been involved in 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.” 

From its APAC and MENA regional headquarters in Brisbane, ASM Global operates and books a network of venues including Qudos Bank Arena (Sydney); Perth's RAC Arena; Kai Tak Sports Park Main Stadium (Hong Kong); Brisbane Entertainment Centre, which next year celebrates its 40th anniversary; and boasts 50% ownership of VenuesLive, the operator of Perth's Optus Stadium. 

The Hall of Fame nod is the latest honour for Lister, who was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

“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," he remarked Thursday night. 

"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." 

Lister reflected on a career in live entertainment, and a full circle moment. “The first live show I saw was Disney on Ice in Victoria Park in the 1960s - the exact park where millions will be visiting and watching Brisbane 2032.”

Earlier in his career, Lister cut his teeth as a store announcer at Myer before a switch into PR for two shopping centres. During a stint with 4IP radio, he created the Queensland Rock Music Awards.

In 1975, Lister launched a concert and event management business, working closely with promoters to tour live bands such as Sherbet, Skyhooks and AC/DC’s first ever tour.  

Years later, and 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. 

With Lister at the helm, the company expanded its portfolio of venue 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).

The Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame now has 105 members, and was established by QUT and the State Library of Queensland in 2009 to recognise the state’s most influential business leaders. Lister was one of six new entries.

ASM Global (previously AEG Ogden) merged with Los Angeles-based Legends in 2024, creating an enlarged group with a portfolio of with 400-plus premier venues worldwide.