Tourism Australia has announced the appointment of Edward Kwek as Senior Business Events Manager for South and South East Asia. He reports to Regional Business Events Director for Asia, Edea Lu.
Taking up the role in Singapore, Edward will support the implementation of business events distribution strategies and partnerships in South and South East Asia’s MICE segment, as well as engage with key customers and stakeholders through joint event activities in the region.
With 17 years of experience, Edward was most recently Trade Manager Business Events for Tourism New Zealand, where he oversaw the development and implementation of business events strategy for South East Asia.
Prior to that, he was the Regional Director of Southeast Asia & India at Melbourne Convention Bureau.
Speaking about the appointment, Regional Business Events Director for Asia, Edea Lu said: “We are pleased to welcome Edward Kwek to Tourism Australia in Singapore, as South and South East Asia remain our key markets driving Australia’s business events industry. Our research shows that these regions are recovering and growing at a rapid pace – in the first quarter of 2024, business events expenditure in Australia from India and Singapore reached 97% and 106% of 2019 numbers respectively. In total, South and South East Asia markets injected A$716 million into the economy from January to March 2024.”
“It is now more important than ever for Tourism Australia to amplify our engagement with South and South East Asia’s business events customers, and strengthen Australia’s position as a desirable destination for corporate events. Edward’s experience and expertise will be instrumental in driving our business events strategy across the region and growing our business events segment,” she added.
Speaking on his new role with Tourism Australia, Edward said: “I look forward to working closely with incentive planners, Australian industry operators and the convention bureaus to create exciting, memorable and impressive experiences that celebrate the success of delegates.”