PeopleISSUE 67 / ConfErEnCE & MEEtIngS World / 75International event management company Vok Dams has appointed Marieke Fiona Wittneben as a Project Manager in the company's Berlin office. South African hotel group Recreation Africa Leisure Industries has appointed Peter van Raaij as the GM at Misty Hills Country Hotel, Conference Centre and Spa in Johannesburg. Virgin Limited Edition has appointed Vincent Padioleau as GM and Kathryn White as Assistant GM for the Kasbah Tamadot retreat in Morocco. Dubai-based hospitality company Jumeirah Group has appointed Mark Griffiths as the GM of Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa in Kuwait and Marco Metge as the GM of Jumeirah Grand Hotel Via Veneto in Rome. Orient-Express Hotels has appointed Maurizio Saccani as Chief of Product Development. He will continue to serve as VP for Italy, a role he assumed in 2007. US Commerce Secretary John Bryson has appointed San Diego Convention Center President and CEO Carol Wallace to the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board. The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has appointed Ivy Chee as PATA Regional Director-Asia. Peter King has been appointed CEO of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in Australia.The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux' Executive Director Mike Cannon is to join the Sarawak Convention Bureau as CEO.The Brisbane Marketing Convention Bureau has recruited Eva Sorban as Business Development Manager.Chaiphun Thongsuthum has been appointed the GM of the Centara Hotel and Convention Centre in Udon Thani, Thailand. Andreas Korf has been appointed GM of Centara Grand West Sands Resort and Villas Phuket.Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre has appointed Cindy Chu as Food and Beverage Manager for Sales and Events. US-based event analytics company ITN International has appointed Beverly Honey as Event Project Planner to its operations team in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.Business Events Sydney has appointed two new directors to its Board: Gary Daly, the GM for Sales at Luna Park; and Kate Smith, Principal and MD of professional conference organiser Waldronsmith Management.The Director of Marketing for the Welsh Government, Roger Pride, has been seconded to head the citywide tourism bureau, Cardiff and Co, for an initial period of 18 months. Simon Maier has joined international event management agency TFI Group as Board Director. Margaret Falconer has joined new Scottish travel and events management company Equilibrium Travel Management as Head of Meetings and Events. Fiona Szeto has been appointed Director of Public Relations (Asia) for international luxury hotel operator, Langham Hospitality Group.On the moveName: Simone BuckleyTitle: Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Travel and MeetingsHow did you get into the meetings industry? I have always been involved with meetings as part of my various roles working at travel management companies. Previously to this role I was MD at Capita Business Travel, where we had a team of meetings specialists who managed the meetings and events for a number of our corporate business travel clients.What do you hope to achieve in the new position of CEO?Business travel management and meetings management are converging due to the great benefits that can be achieved for corporations who manage these areas of activity together. My goal is to place ITM at the heart of helping companies to achieve this. ITM stands for many things to many people, the Institute of Travel and Meetings; "intelligent travel management"; and "information and tools to maximise opportunities". By facilitating the sharing of best practice between our membership we will help many organisations, both suppliers and buyers, to continuously improve the way that they work together.Where do you see as emerging meetings destinations? Montenegro and Croatia are becoming more and more popular. What is the most positive thing about the events industry?We know how to work hard and have fun at the same time.What of your past experiences will help in the new position?I have been a member of ITM as a supplier, a sponsor and latterly as a buyer of business travel. I understand the needs of our audience and hope that this will help me bring real value to our members and sponsors alike.Above: Wallace; thongsuthum; Wittneben; King; Chu; and griffithsInterviewFor all the latest breaking news and daily updates visitwww.c-mw.netsend any people on the move news to: sarah@mashmedia.net

Featuring:- Up to 11 200 m2 of exhibition space, of which 10 000 m2 is column-free- 2 large auditoria- A magnifi cent 2 000 m2 ballroom- 33 function or meeting rooms- Venues designed to maximise natural light- Two top-class restaurants- An exquisite roof terrace- Majestic city and mountain views- Comprehensive range of catering, AV, and planning services- 1400 parking baysFor more information, or to book your CTICC experience, call us on +27 21 410 5000 today or visit www.cticc.co.zaSet in the heart of South Africa's beautiful Mother City, with the awe inspiring Table Mountain as a natural backdrop, the Cape Town International Convention Centre is far more than a venue, it's an experience. And with versatile spaces and services suitable to everything from intimate wedding receptions and black tie banquets, to international conventions or global exhibitions, the CTICC is guaranteed to put your event fi rmly on the map. Convention centre by name. Unforgettable destination by nature.