BestCities, the Global Alliance of business events destinations, has announced three new appointments to its board, who will take up these positions in May 2021. These are:
Kit Lykketoft, Director of Conventions at Wonderful Copenhagen, who will become the new Chair of the BestCities Global Alliance Board. In this role she will focus on legacies and added value of congresses and events. Lykketoft has been the Director of Copenhagen Convention Bureau since 2017, where she works to attract international association conferences, meetings, and events to Copenhagen. She also has a strong sustainability philosophy and agenda.
Of her new appointment, Lykketoft says, “The uncertainties and challenges of the past year have underlined the importance of our cross-continental alliance. More than ever, we must stay focused and make sure that BestCities shows its worth and brings its core pillars to life; to keep BestCities top of mind, innovative thought leadership, and build global partnerships with associations and the rest of the global community.
“The uncertainties and challenges of the past year have underlined the importance of our cross-continental alliance. More than ever, we must stay focused and make sure that BestCities shows its worth and brings its core pillars to life.”
“At this important time, I look forward to continue to grow our alliance’s reputation and to shape its global footprint even further through innovative partnerships and knowledge creation, and to do so along with the rest of our brilliant BestCities destinations and the BestCities team.”
Kit takes over from Corne Koch, who has completed her two-year term.
Dr Edward Koh, Executive Director at the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau, will step into a new role of Incoming Chair, which will be centred around partnership development and future-proofing the Alliance.
He says, “The Covid-19 pandemic has been described as the crisis of our generation. At the same time, it has given BestCities clarity of the opportunities ahead. ‘Today’s cities shaping tomorrow’s world’ is a clear articulation of our ambition, for a larger membership of forward-looking cities, guided by BestCities’ template for best practices in event safety, innovation, monetization, and expansion of membership base for our clients. We are behind Kit – our new Chair – and look forward to delivering results for our industry, members, and clients.”
“The Alliance is an amazing network of leading cities that are at the forefront of business events. I deeply value the relationships and collaboration amongst our partner cities around the world.”
Taking up the role of Treasurer is Julia Swanson, Chief Executive Officer at Melbourne Convention Bureau.
“After 10 years involvement with BestCities Global Alliance, I’m delighted to continue to serve on the Board and on my appointment to the position of Treasurer to drive the strategic vision of the Alliance,” says Swanson. “The Alliance is an amazing network of leading cities that are at the forefront of business events. I deeply value the relationships and collaboration amongst our partner cities around the world. It’s an exciting time for these global perspectives to come together and chart a way forward for our sector.”
For more information on BestCities Global Alliance and to keep up to date with news, please visit www.bestcities.net.
READ: Sustainable business travel expected to boom post-Covid
