Venue trust names first GM for Nyaal Banyul
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust (MCET) has named Rick Aylett as the first general manager of the under-construction Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre.
Aylett has been the project director for the Geelong venue since March 2022. He was previously the head of operations for Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the other venue managed by MCET.
Aylett has more than three decades of management experience, primarily in the event space, having held leadership roles at Atlantic Group, Delaware North, Spotless Group, the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India and the 2015 Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
“I’m honoured to be given this opportunity and look forward to working with the team to deliver meaningful and world-class experiences for event organisers and attendees,” said Aylett.
“Greater Geelong is such an incredible destination with so much to offer.”
Chief executive of MCET, Natalie O’Brien AM, said Aylett’s “vast experience” would be “instrumental in establishing Nyaal Banyul as the best regional convention centre in Australia”.
Nyaal Banyul is expected to open in 2026.
Tourism New Zealand business events staffer elected to ICCA board
Leonie Ashford, business events bid manager for Tourism New Zealand’s business events division, has been appointed to the board of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).
Ashford’s appointment was confirmed during the global ICCA Congress in Abu Dhabi in the UAE last week.
“I am honoured and excited to be appointed to the board,” said Ashford.
“I can see so many opportunities for further growth for New Zealand and the wider Asia Pacific region through collaboration and I’m committed to doing my best to help that happen.”
Two senior appointments at Hotel X in Brisbane
Hotel X in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley has appointed a new director of sales and a new business development manager for the 146-room property.
Sian Curtis is the new director of sales, while Tejal Narotam has joined the hotel as its business development manager.
Curtis joins Hotel X from the Darling Group in Melbourne, which offers several hospitality venues in the city. She has previously held sales and partnerships roles at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park.
“It is such an exciting time to join the flourishing Brisbane hospitality sector, and especially Hotel X.
“This city is such a special combination of Queensland warmth, vibrant creativity and cutting-edge design. Hotel X perfectly embodies all of these elements: authentic and sophisticated, wildly creative and luxuriously refined. It is a 24-hour feast of the senses.
“As director of sales, I am excited to build relationships with existing and new clients, helping to bring to life the experiences and events that are truly remarkable, to create long term relationships that benefit everyone.”
Meanwhile Narotam moves over from Doma Hotels in Canberra, where she was also a business development manager.
She has previously worked with East Hotel in Canberra and Sheraton Hotels and Resorts in Melbourne.
