A WORLD-LEADING CONFERENCE VENUE IN BRITAIN'S FRIENDLIEST CITY.Your next conference or exhibition will say a lot about your business, so choose a venue that's a work of art in itself. Located in one of the UK's most vibrant and creative cities, the SECC in Glasgow is one of the world'sfavourite venues, and with over 22,000m2of exhibition space, it's a market leader in the UK for conferences and exhibitions. The SECC makes a stunning impression not only with scale and aesthetics, but with unrivalled personal service offering support, flexibility and experience to help organisers grow their event. For more information, contact Robin Miller, Head of Conference Sales - robin.miller@secc.co.ukT: +44(0)141 275 6211.WWW.SECC.CO.UKAWARD-WINNING FACILITIES.ALL SERVICES IN-HOUSE.EASY ACCESS. TOP UK HOTELS.SUPERB TRANSPORT CONNECTIONS.

ISSUE 66 / ConfErEnCE & MEEtIngS World / 77PeopleCroatian-based Valamar Hotels and Resorts has appointed Sandra Enders as its new Management Board Member responsible for sales, marketing and revenue management. Franck Barbaras has been appointed Director of PortAventura Business and Events at the PortAventura Convention Centre. Ian McDonald has joined Centara Hotels and Resorts as the GM of Centara Wuku Resort and Spa Bali and Centara Taum Seminyak Bali. Austin Robinson has been appointed GM of Nova Hotel and Spa Pattaya, Centara Boutique Collection and Centara Pattaya Resort. The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau has welcomed two new members to its sales department: Dan Miller as Executive Director of Hotel Sales and Katie Bender as Midwest National Account Sales Director. The Director of Hotel Derlon in Maastricht, Holland, René Goltstein, has joined the board of the Maastricht Convention Bureau.The Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau has appointed Yushiza Mohd Yusof as Senior Sales Manager for Associations; Chloe Chong as Sales Manager for Associations; Tai Lee Fen as Business Development Manager; and Manisa Mohd Nor as Market Research Manager. The Institute of Travel and Meetings has appointed Nicola Lomas as its upcoming Chairman to replace Jamie Hindhaugh who steps down in April. Simone Buckley has joined as CEO and e-marketing industry professional Jill Quick joins the association to help it with its social media strategy. Edinburgh International Conference Centre has appointed Louise Andrew as Head of Sales and Marketing.Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo has been appointed as Executive Manager of South Africa's National Conventions Bureau. The NCB aims to enhance South Africa's business tourism capacity and attract international conventions, incentives and events to the country.The Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau has appointed Karen Bolinger as Chief Executive to replace Sandra Chipchase. Dan Piggott has joined Universal World Events as Chief Executive of Americas. The Global Business Travel Association has appointed John Melchior as the European Regional Development Director of the GBTA Foundation. Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts has appointed Markus Müller as VP of Sales and Marketing Asia, based at the company's sales office in Bangkok.Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau has appointment Mary Saunders De Hoyos as Senior Manager of Business Development.Park Plaza Hotels has appointed Andrew Swindells as its new COO. Dr Andreas Karsten has joined the Vienna International Hotelmanagement as CEO. Rachel Downing has been appointed the Director of Business Tourism at the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau in Northern Ireland.On the moveName: Karen BolingerTitle: CEO of the Melbourne Convention and Visitors BureauHow did you get into the meetings industry? I studied Hotel and Catering Management, worked in hotels and conference venues for many years and moved into the meetings side full time in 2000. I cannot think of anything else more exciting to do as a career.What do you hope to achieve in the new position?To ensure Melbourne retains its position as the number one business events destination in the Asia Pacific region. With the proposed additional expansion of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre seeking new business is a must. We will continue working closely with the Victorian Government and our stakeholders, while identifying new ways to generate more conventions for Melbourne. What is the most positive thing about the events industry?The exchange of ideas that occurs at a meeting, the connections people make, the business that is conducted and, in many medical meetings, the research that is shared to better the profession. Of course, meetings provide many economic benefits to a destination but the above outcomes have a lasting legacy that has no price on it.What frustrates you about the industry? The lack of understanding outside the industry about the benefits of a convention. Many businesses attend or organise meetings and don't see it as a profession or mini economy in its own right. Many only recognise the direct impact of a conference, for example, airfares, accommodation and room hire. However, business is conducted throughout the entire period of a conference both formally and informally, during coffee breaks, on the tradeshow floor, over dinner etc. This is where the real returns are for a destination; this exchange has an even bigger impact. Above: Kotze-nhlapo; Swindells; lomas; Miller; de Hoyos and BenderInterviewFor all the latest breaking news and daily updates visitwww.c-mw.netsend any people on the move news to: sarah@mashmedia.net