Following a late-2024 announcement that current BESydney CEO, Lyn Lewis-Smith, would step down in the middle of 2025, Sydney’s business events bidding organisation has announced Amanda Lampe as BESydney’s next head.
Lampe will commence her new role on June 16.
She will arrive at BESydney with decades of experience, primarily in government and corporate affairs. In the political sphere, her experience includes working for the office of the Premier in New South Wales, as well as being chief of staff for both a prime minister and a deputy prime minister.
To join BESydney, Lampe will leave her current role as director of corporate relations at beverage maker Diageo, whose brands include Bundaberg Rum, Baileys and Johnnie Walker. She has been with Diageo for more than six years.
Lampe is also on the board of Sydney WorldPride and Canberra Airport.
“Amanda’s unique combination of private and public sector experience and connectivity with industry and government at all levels will be a great asset to BESydney as the NSW Government prepares to release its Visitor Economy Strategy vision to 2035,” said BESydney’s chair, Professor Mary O’Kane AC.
“This organisation has a proud history of delivering strong economic and social impacts for Sydney and the state of New South Wales for 56 years, and the BESydney board and team look forward to working with Amanda to capitalise on a new era of opportunity for BESydney.”
Ahead of starting as BESydney’s CEO, Lampe said she believed Sydney was “ideally placed to continue to win more international business events”.
“Business events are an important driver of economic activity, job creation, lasting partnerships and social impact. I am looking forward to building on the terrific work that Lyn and the BESydney team have achieved,” she said.
Outgoing CEO Lewis-Smith leaves BESydney after well over a decade at the helm of the organisation.
“It has been an absolute privilege to work with such a high performing team to secure a healthy pipeline of forward events in place, strong government and industry support with the organisation enjoying a fiercely competitive reputation across the globe,” Lewis-Smith said.
“I have full confidence in our executive team working together with Amanda to continue to grow Sydney’s reputation globally and to take the organisation forward into a new era.”
O’Kane reiterated appreciation for Lewis-Smith as she prepares to depart BESydney at the end of next month.
“Once again, I would like to thank Lyn for leading this company and driving transformation globally over the past 12 years, passionately advocating for Australian business, scientific and cultural achievements on the world stage,” said O’Kane.
