Adelaide’s growing meeting and events industry has recognised two of its pioneers with a joint award.

Pat Pearce and Rob Bulfield were awarded the prestigious Muriel Ellis Award at the Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) State Awards Night, held at the National Wine Centre.

The Muriel Ellis Award acknowledges outstanding individual contributions to the industry and is only awarded when a person meets specific criteria.

Pearce has worked in the exhibition and event industry for more than 40 years.

Pearce and his wife Sue founded Adelaide Expo Hire in 1987 which, over the past 27 years, has been awarded numerous MEA state and national awards and is the highest awarded company of its kind both locally and nationally.

He also served as state president of the Hire and Rental Association, national president for three years and was awarded the Hire and Rental Association’s President’s Award in 1992.

Co-recipient Rob Bulfield has been in the industry since the last 1980s when he worked at the Tourism Commission before setting up Sapro conference management where he was managing director for 19 years.

He now works as a senior consultant for the business.