The South Australian State Government has provided Business Events Adelaide with an increase in funding allocation, bringing about an expansion in the bid team.
The new bid team (both international and domestic) is led by Jakki Govan who joined the organisation in late-2022. Govan has an enviable reputation both domestically and internationally in sales and marketing, as well as an understanding of how to win business events, and of their economic value.
Her team includes Casey Smith, who has been promoted to international director of bidding, after five years with Business Events Adelaide.
The international bid team comprises Helen Xu, director of sales Asia. Xu has been working in Asia and Australia for more than 20 years (based between Sydney and China).
Next, Mark Phelps is manager business development, who after more than 10 years with the South Australian Tourism Commission has chosen to move to Business Events Adelaide.
Meanwhile, Peumi Peiris is also manager business development, who after more than 15 years with the Sri Lankan Convention Bureau and two years at Flinders University, has moved to Business Events Adelaide.
Moving on, the domestic bid team comprises Chantel Kistenkas, manager business development, who is responsible for the Sydney market. She is an experienced professional with a commercial sales background.
Next, Edgar Navarro Parez is manager business development, responsible for the Melbourne market. He has been part of the Business Events Adelaide team for four years and arrived from Mexico 12 years ago.
Additionally, Sara King is also manager business development, responsible for the remainder of the Australian markets. She has 15 years of industry experience across business development and sales in South Australian five-star hotels, as well as in the associations sector.
Last but not least, Marcia Mudge has been appointed director events and services, bringing more than 20 years’ experience delivering events in both the public and private sectors.
