BestCities Global Alliance has appointed Lesley Williams as managing director, effective January 1, 2020.
She takes over from Paul Vallee, who will continue as executive consultant with GainingEdge, but now on a full-time basis. This move follows the recent decision of BestCities to award extending the management contract to GainingEdge.
Williams has been serving as market development director for the past two years. She brings a wealth of experience, with more than 25 years in the business tourism and events industry.
Williams will head up the existing BestCities management team, made up of Nigel Brown, director of marketing and partnerships; Jane Cunningham, director of international associations; and Caryn Wong, alliance operations. Karen Bolinger, former CEO of the Melbourne Convention Bureau, will work with Lesley in a strategic advisor capacity.
The announcement was made at the fourth annual BestCities Global Forum that took place in Copenhagen from December 8-11, where global associations came together for a programme centred on the theme of Exploring the Congress of the Future – Fortifying Impact.
