Global tourism and business events industry consulting firm, GainingEdge has announced that Steen Jakobsen (pictured) will begin work as the company’s new CEO on 1 September, 2025. Jakobsen has more than 25 years of international experience in the global tourism and business events industry.
He served as director of the Copenhagen Convention Bureau for 14 years, followed by 10 years as vice-president of Dubai Business Events where he helped build one of the world’s most successful destinations while also overseeing establishment of the Dubai Association Centre.
GainingEdge executive chairman, Gary Grimmer, said: “Steen brings enormous business and communications acumen to our company, and a strong strategic vision in areas like destination development, sales and marketing, product innovation and event management. He also brings clear vision, leadership skills and broad networks that will help us to power global destination and association communities. Steen knows how to work with both public and private stakeholders to build the economic and societal impact of meetings and events.”
For the past couple of years, Jakobsen served as CFO of Tetra Pharm Technologies – a Danish biopharmaceutical company, but said that he was excited to be joining GainingEdge and returning to the business events arena. “This industry has been my professional home for many years,” Jakobsen said. “I look forward to applying the knowledge, strategic insights, and strong relationships I’ve built along the way to contribute to the significant economic growth, innovation, and global collaboration the industry is driving.”
Jakobsen has served on various international boards and committees and his leadership roles include serving as Board chair of the BestCities Global Alliance and vice-president of the Board of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). In 2024, he was honoured with ICCA’s most prestigious recognition for contributions to the international meetings industry, the Moises Shuster Award.
