Tackling the future head on: re-energised and realigned for growth

Australia’s leading convention bureau, Business Events Sydney (BESydney), has announced new strategies and a corporate restructure to enhance future business event opportunities for Sydney and New South Wales (NSW).

Focusing on long-term growth, BESydney’s strategy will maximise Sydney’s business event success during the development period and the opening of the new Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct (SICEEP), and beyond.

Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO of BESydney said, “The new strategy centres on targeted business development, high-yield corporate business, innovative conference marketing and destination marketing activity to strengthen Sydney’s and NSW’s global position.

“Growth in Asia will also be a priority. This is, after all ‘the Asian Century’. We’ve had in-market representation in Asia since 2004 and have seen the success of this. Later in 2012, in conjunction with Destination NSW, we will appoint a Mumbai representative. Our expanding global network and other association and corporate activities in this region will strengthen our relationships and present new business event opportunities.

“Sydney’s new international convention centre will also present huge opportunities for Australia’s global city. We have looked closely at the path we need to chart for continued business event success during the development period. We will also cement a strong and sustainable pipeline of business for the new facilities from 2016 and beyond.

“The team is excited. We will streamline processes, deepen and expand international and domestic collaborative relationships with the private and public sectors, and increase our flexibility and agility to respond to emerging market trends.”

Along with a new strategy, BESydney will roll out a new corporate structure that will see the company’s resources grow. The organisation will consist of four teams focused on growing, securing, delivering and sustaining business.

“This year BESydney has already achieved a record number of bid wins, and there are a number of weeks to go before we close the books. Yet, achievement doesn’t mean we can be complacent. It is time to challenge the status quo!” comments Lewis-Smith.

“The new structure will better support clients throughout the event lifecycle, and combined with other initiatives – such as our new Future Leaders program – will help to give us the edge on understanding and delivering meetings for the coming generations. We are refocused, re-engerised and realigned for the future,” comments Lewis-Smith.

The company is recruiting for a General Manager Business Development. And, from 1 June 2012, Hannah Jamieson will take on the new role of General Manager Strategic Marketing. Robyn Johnson will step into another new role of General Manager Event Delivery. Sonya Stewart remains in her role as Chief Financial Officer.

A number of other new positions at Business Events Sydney will be advertised in the near future.

The new strategy will roll out from July 2012.

For photos of the BESydney management team please contact Rebecca Mills.

Rebecca Mills, Marketing and Communications Manager
rmills@besydney.com.au
Tel: +61 2 9332 5218
Mob: +61 420 960 108

Hannah Jamieson, General Manager Strategic Marketing

Hannah joined BESydney as Head of Marketing in 2011 and brings 17 years' experience in marketing, communication sand stakeholder relationship management across both the private and public sectors.

Prior to this she was Marketing and Media Manager for Trade and Investment Queensland, the Queensland Government's global business agency.

In addition, Hannah brings four years' international expertise gained in Europe, where she worked as Marketing Manager at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and in a number of consultancy roles in Paris.

As General Manager Strategic Marketing, Hannah will oversee BESydney’s marketing, strategic partnerships and bidding, drawing on her strong experience in international business, major events and destination marketing.

Robyn Johnson, General Manager Event Delivery

Robyn joined BESydney in 2011 as Head of Client Services. In her new position of General Manager Event Delivery she will be responsible for ensuring that BESydney actively supports the events it helps secure for Sydney, maximising their economic benefit to New South Wales while providing a high quality experience for delegates and their host organisations.

Prior to joining BESydney, Robyn was Managing Director of Sydney based conference and exhibition organiser Conexion Event Management. Conexion won "Best Meeting or Conference" at the inaugural 2009 Australian Event Awards and again in 2011. Robyn brings 20 years of experience managing national and international events and is a past winner of the Meetings and Events Australia award for "Best Operations Person”.

As part of her role with BESydney Robyn is working with Infrastructure NSW on transitional arrangements to ensure that Sydney continues to host major business events during the period that the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre is closed for redevelopment.

Sonya Stewart, Chief Financial Officer

Sonya holds the role of Chief Financial Officer and her responsibilities extend to cover all corporate services within the company, including financial, human resource and information technology management. Sonya is also the appointed Company Secretary for BESydney.
During her time at BESydney, Sonya has had a particular focus on the human resource policies and programs of the company. Key strategies implemented by Sonya at BESydney include a corporate culture and values program, best practice performance management framework, and increased investment in staff training programs.

Sonya has a broad mix of skills having worked in a diverse range of industries. Sonya obtained her Chartered Accountant qualification while working with KPMG, before moving to premium beverage company Diageo. During her nine years with Diageo, she worked in a variety of in-market and head office finance roles based in Australia and the United Kingdom, culminating in her appointment as Head of Planning of United Distillers, based in London. Returning to Australia, Sonya held finance positions in the shipping industry and the charitable sector before joining BESydney in 2005.

About BESydney

BESydney is a partnership between the New South Wales Government and the tourism industry. BESydney is a highly proactive organisation that has been successful in globally connecting Sydney through conventions, conferences, congresses, incentives and business meetings for over 40 years.
BESydney promotes Sydney as a business events destination, identifies new event opportunities, and competes to bring these events to Sydney.
BESydney has global network spanning Europe, Asia and the Americas (international offices are located in London, Montreal, Hong Kong and Shanghai). BESydney was the first Australian convention bureau to open an office in Asia.

Why Sydney?

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