Julia Swanson, CEO of Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB), has taken over the role as board chair of BestCities Global Alliance from Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) Edward Koh.
As incoming board chair, Swanson is committed to solidifying BestCities’ position as the world’s premier alliance of convention bureaux. Her focus will be to empower BestCities’ partner destinations to deliver positive, sustainable impacts within their communities and expand their collective knowledge, while minimising the meetings industry’s global footprint.
Swanson has over 25 years of experience in tourism and business events. During her 14-year tenure at MCB, she led the organisation to prominence in the global business events sector. Through her role with the Visit Victoria leadership team, she has driven stronger strategic alignment with Melbourne’s tourism bureau, contributing to the city’s economic growth.
In 2023, Swanson was appointed as director to the board of the Australian Business Events Association. She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has 13 years of experience in a number of international hotel chains.
Outgoing chair Koh – who is STB’s executive director, conventions, meetings & incentive travel – oversaw several key achievements, including onboarding Washington, DC as a new partner destination in 2024; launching the new Association Impact Masterclass in cooperation with ICCA; growing the Madrid Challenge community from 24 meeting planners to 59; and increasing the prominence of the BestCities Global Forum, which culminated in the 2025 event in Dublin, Ireland that welcomed a record 32 association clients.
