January 25, 2023 | By Bronwen Largier | Image: Suzana Bishop is the new CEO of Northern Territory Major Events Company
Northern Territory Major Events Company has a new CEO, BESydney has made an appointment to boost business from India and Southeast Asia and there have been movements in the accommodation sector.
New CEO for Northern Territory Major Events Company
Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) has enticed former Federation Square experience leader Suzana Bishop away from Melbourne and up to the NT to helm the territory’s major events agency.
Bishop spent four years as chief experience officer at Melbourne’s statement-making Federation Square and has accrued more than 25 years’ experience in the events industry including nine years at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and through roles at the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.
“With years of experience in delivering destination events and experience strategies, we know Suzana will be a strong advocate for delivering exceptional events that drive visitation and generate incredible results for the territory economy,” said NTMEC board chair Alistair Feehan of Bishop’s appointment.
“This appointment marks an exciting new chapter for NTMEC and the board is looking forward to working with Suzana to ensure the company continues achieving many positive outcomes for the territory by delivering and supporting a world-class portfolio of events.”
Bishop fills the void left by the departure of former CEO Tim Watsford who left the organisation to become chief innovation and sustainability officer for Supercars, based in Queensland.
Bishop took up her new role on January 16.
New associate incentive director for BESydney
BESydney has appointed Joo-Rei Mathieson to the role of associate director in the global corporate and incentive space.
Mathieson has joined BESydney’s bidding team to target new opportunities in the Indian market – which has emerged a major business events market for Australia following the easing of pandemic-era travel restrictions – and to drive business development across Southeast Asia.
Mathieson has almost 19 years of experience in the hotels sector, including with Marriott International and a variety of its brands and with Langham Hospitality Group. Most recently she was market director of sales for Australia and Fiji at Marriott International.
“We are very excited to have Joo-Rei join the team,” said BESydney’s director of global corporates and incentives, Sinead Yeo.
“India is a burgeoning market of opportunity for BESydney that is going from strength to strength. We look forward to Joo-Rei’s new business event perspectives and supporting the team in this post-pandemic recovery environment.”
Mathieson took up her new position in mid January.
Pullman Melbourne on the Park has a new GM
Long-time Accor staffer Stephan Leroy has joined Pullman Melbourne on the Park as its new general manager, taking over the role in November 2022.
Leroy first joined Accor in 2007 at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth and has spent the majority of his career with the brand since then, taking on roles at properties in Australia before moving to China to lead two flagship hotels, Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich and Pullman Shanghai South.
“I’m thrilled to be relocating to Melbourne to take up the helm at Pullman Melbourne on the Park. The hotel has a long history of providing first-class accommodation to both local and international visitors, and I look forward to continuing to create a premium hotel experience,” Leroy said.
“I’m also excited to be leading an incredibly talented team in one of the world’s most vibrant cities.”
TRYP by Wyndham Pulteney Street Adelaide secures opening GM
Neil Paterson has been appointed general manager of TRYP by Wyndham Pulteney Street Adelaide, as the 120-room hotel prepares to open in March.
Paterson previously spent 19 years with Accor, both in Australia and internationally, including managing hotels with convention centres attached in India and Malaysia.
“With 25 years’ experience in senior hospitality positions and the last eight years in overseas markets, Neil is a gifted people leader able to build a creative team who will be able to provide an immersive city experience to our guests, the hallmark of a TRYP property,” said Wyndham senior vice president of operations Warren Cullum.
“Along with that experience, Neil exhibits genuine care, an ability to instantly connect with people and a deep recognition of how to deliver thoughtful service – all traits of a complete hospitality professional.
“We look forward to seeing the experiences Neil and his team will create for guests and the impact the TRYP by Wyndham brand can have in Adelaide.”
The new hotel has a boardroom meeting space for up to 10 people. Paterson took up his role this month.
The Langham promotes from within
The Langham, Melbourne’s director of sales and marketing, André Jacques, has taken on more responsibility, with regional director of marketing for Langham Hotel Group properties across the Pacific added to his remit in December 2022.
In his additional role, Jacques will lead all of the hotel group’s marketing partnerships in the Pacific and support the group’s marketing communications team to drive results for social media and public relations in the region.
Jacques has been head of sales and marketing at The Langham, Melbourne since 2015.
