Personalia

The Victorian Convention and Event Trust has appointed Andrew Fairley AM and Glenn Carmody as new members of the Trust. The appointments were announced on 22 January 2026.

The Scottish Event Campus has appointed Greg O’Donnell as Senior Association Sales Manager. He will focus on international association business and bid activity.

Ottawa Tourism has expanded its Business Events team with two new appointments. Angela Jefferies and Orest Gawdyda have joined as Managers, Business Events, with responsibility for international and national market development.

The Meetings Industry Association has appointed Charlotte Podlewska to support its strategic sales and membership growth initiatives. She brings more than 15 years of experience across the meetings, events, hospitality, and visitor economy sectors.

Excel London has created a new Executive position focused on people and culture. The role forms part of a wider effort to support organisational development and future growth.

The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham has appointed Vicky Howe as Director of Sales. The appointment follows a year of increased commercial activity and industry recognition.

The QEII Centre London has announced the appointment of Safraj Ismail as its new CEO. Ismail joins the Westminster-based venue during a period of strong performance, with an economic impact exceeding £170 million.

Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) has named Datu Hii Chang Kee as its new Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective November 1, 2025. With his extensive experience in public service and deep understanding of the business events landscape, Datu Hii aims to position Sarawak as a leading destination for impactful, legacy-driven business events.

James Mark rejoins Excel London as Chief Operating Officer, bringing over 30 years of experience to strengthen the venue’s Executive and Leadership teams.

FCM Meetings & Events has appointed regional leaders across Europe and Africa to support market expansion and strengthen client delivery. The changes include new heads for France/Spain/Switzerland, the Nordics, South Africa, and a relocation of senior talent to Dubai.

The City of London Corporation has appointed Abigail Pogson, currently Chief Executive of The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, as Chief Executive of the Barbican Centre. Pogson will take up the role on Monday 5 January 2026 and will lead the Centre during its Renewal programme and a renewed artistic strategy.

Das Austrian Convention Bureau (ACB) bekommt zum 1. September 2025 eine neue Führung: Marie Lechner übernimmt die Geschäftsführung von Michaela Schedlbauer-Zippusch, die den Verband zehn Jahre lang leitete.

GainingEdge will appoint Steen Jakobsen as its new CEO, effective 1 September 2025. Jakobsen brings more than 25 years of international experience in the tourism and business events sector.

John Burke, General Manager of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, has joined the Board of Directors of the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC).

Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre has appointed Austrian-born chef Andreas Gober as Executive Chef. Known for his global culinary background and passion for seasonal, local ingredients, Gober will lead the venue’s food strategy ahead of its opening in July 2026.

Legends ASM appoints Darren Burden, former Executive Director of Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park, to lead operations at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. Burden brings over two decades of global stadium experience and will succeed the retiring Alan Graham later this year.

Meeting Needs has appointed long-serving Vice-Chair Lene Corgan as its new Chair, succeeding Chris Parnham after the completion of his two-year term. The leadership change was unveiled at the foundation’s annual showcase at London’s Spencer House, which also highlighted recent grant projects.