Avril Harris joins GCCEC in new role
GCCEC has appointed Avril Harris as director of event delivery, a new position for the Gold Coast convention centre.
Harris moves over from Experience Gold Coast, where she has been executive director of events since September 2023. She has previously held roles with Major Events Gold Coast, the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and a couple of Queensland Government departments, including the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
She will oversee event delivery, venue operations and technology with a view to integrate these elements.
“The scale and complexity of our operation require leadership that can connect people, systems and infrastructure around a shared standard of delivery,” said GCCEC’s general manager, Nick Jeffrey.
“Avril will play a central role in strengthening how our operational teams work together, building accountability across the centre and ensuring we are well positioned to meet the evolving needs of our clients.”
New GM for the Porter House Hotel Sydney
The Porter House Hotel in Sydney’s CBD has announced its second new GM for 2026 with Luke Gibbs stepping into the role. Obay Bahri was appointed general manager in Q1, but didn’t stay with the hotel long.
Gibbs joined the property in June from Hotel Morris, also in Sydney and part of Accor’s Handwritten Collection, where he was also general manager. His new hotel is part of Accor’s MGallery Collection.
“Luke has proven himself a commercially driven hotel leader with a track record of operational excellence,” said David Fraser, Accor’s vice president of operations in the Pacific for the Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems brands.
“He joins The Porter House Hotel at an exciting time for the MGallery brand.
“This is an exceptional hotel that demands a general manager who understands boutique luxury at its finest, where authenticity, craftsmanship and highly personalised service define the guest experience.”
Alongside its 122 rooms, The Porter House Hotel Sydney has five floors of event spaces, restaurants and bars.
Meet Sofitel Queenstown’s new general manager
Queenstown local Fiona Winger is the new general manager for the adventure destination’s Sofitel hotel.
Winger returns to Queenstown from Hawke’s Bay where she led Rosewood Cape Kidnappers. She had been with the collection of Rosewood’s luxury lodges in New Zealand – formerly Robertson Lodges – for four and a half years.
In all, she has 15 years of experience in the luxury hospitality segment, having also worked for Six Senses Hotels and Resorts in the Maldives and Fiji.
“Returning home to Queenstown to lead Sofitel is incredibly meaningful to me,” said Winger.
“As we look ahead to an exciting refurbishment, we have a unique opportunity to build on the hotel’s strong foundations and further elevate the guest experience while celebrating the sense of place that makes Sofitel Queenstown so special.
“What gives me the most confidence is the team. Their passion, care and commitment to excellence are what sets the hotel apart.
“Together, we’ll continue strengthening Sofitel’s connection to the community and building on its reputation as one of Queenstown’s leading luxury hotels.”
Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa has 84 rooms and several small event spaces, including La Galerie for up to 90 in theatre or 60 banquet and a boardroom that can banquet 40 attendees.
