Australia’s leading convention bureau, Business Events Sydney (BESydney), has appointed Lyn Lewis-Smith as Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), taking the reins from long-term CEO, Jon Hutchison.
Ms Lewis-Smith assumes this role, in addition to her responsibilities as Chief Operating Officer (COO), after more than 8 years at BESydney. Previously she held the roles of General Manager Marketing and Director of Sales.
Lyn is highly respected in the Australian and international business events industry. She is Chair of the Future Convention Cities Initiative (FCCI) and Marketing Group for the Australian Association of Convention Bureaux (AACB). She also sits on the steering committee for the Australian Association Project and is part of The Incentive Association Committee of Management.
Col Hughes, Chair of BESydney says, “Lyn has made a tremendous contribution to BESydney’s business over the years. Knowing her drive and ability to get results, the board had no hesitation in appointing her to the role of Acting CEO.”
“We are recruiting for a permanent CEO following Jon’s decision to step down. From Monday 4 July, Lyn will lead the company until the search is finalised. The business is in great hands.”
Lyn Lewis-Smith adds, “The stakes are high, and we must not rely on our past success to maintain our status as Australia’s number one business events destination. Asia offers great potential for growth and we will be working closely with the private sector, government and our academic partners to capitalise on these lucrative opportunities.”
“Innovative developments such as Barangaroo, and the upcoming Sydney Multifunction Convention and Exhibition Centre, offer great opportunity to maximise this city’s global potential. What an exciting challenge to lead the company into a period of growth as a “new” Sydney is created”.
For the years 2011 to 2017, BESydney has so far secured 136 business events for Sydney that will attract more than 160 000 delegates, who will spend more than 809 000 days in the city. This business will generate in excess of $600 million in economic impact for New South Wales.
Sydney is Australia’s business events capital and is ranked the #10 global business events destination in the world, and holds the #2 position in the Asia Pacific region.
Lyn will hold the positions of Acting CEO and COO at BESydney.
