Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau appoints new CEO

Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) has appointed Garry Kingshott as its new Chief Executive Officer, commencing 12 January 2004.

Mr Kingshott has had more than 25 years experience in significant management and strategic marketing roles. These have included an extensive time with Ansett during the 1990’s culminating in his appointment to the position of Chief Executive, Ansett International. Prior to this his background includes management roles with South Australian Brewing Company (Southcorp), Safcol Holdings and Johnson & Johnson. Since 2001, he has run his own marketing and management consultancy specialising in the tourism and aviation sectors. Mr Kingshott is also an experienced company director having served on a number of company boards, both as a director and chairman.

MCVB Chairman, Janine Kirk, said the appointment followed an international recruitment search covering four continents.

“In an extremely competitive business events industry, convention and visitors bureaux are facing challenging times where long term strategic planning and superior marketing and management skills are required to guide the organization through periods of change in both focus and emphasis,” Ms Kirk said.

“Garry Kingshott brings to MCVB significant strategic management and marketing experience, gained in a competitive corporate environment. His intimate knowledge of the travel and tourism industry, combined with his experience in international and major event related negotiations, will assist us to attract more business events to Melbourne and Victoria and to identify new international and domestic marketing opportunities.”

Mr Kingshott said he was delighted to accept the position. “The business events industry makes an extremely valuable and significant contribution to the Victoria economy. I look forward to selling the city of my birth to the world and to working closely with the industry and MCVB partners to achieve greater commercial benefits for all.”