New Chair for BestCities as Karina Lance steps down

Beverley Williamson, General Manager of Business Development and Bids at Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB), has been appointed as Chairperson for the BestCities Global Alliance Strategic Business Development group (SBD). She will take over from Karina Lance of Dubai Tourism, who had been the Chair since May 2017. Williamson (pictured) will bring a wealth of experience, with 25 years in the business tourism and events industries. In her role at MCB, Beverley oversees the international bidding, international and national business development, government relations, convention services and corporate meetings and incentives teams as well as MCB’s international offices in London, Washington D.C. Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur. Beverley takes up her position at an exciting time for BestCities, as the alliance prepares for its fourth annual BestCities Global Forum, taking place this December in Copenhagen, as well as running the Incredible Impacts Grant programme, in partnership with ICCA, for the third year running. Williamson said: “I’m delighted to be taking up the position of Chairperson of the SBD and will work to strengthen the BestCities brand both globally and regionally, ensuring that alliance cities continue to focus on sharing knowledge and information. I look forward to working with BestCities Board Chair Corne Koch to strengthen collaboration between the SBD and Board. “I’d like to thank Karina Lance for her tireless hard work over the last two years and wish her all the very best for the future.”