Lesley’s passion for business events began in 2000 when she joined the Edinburgh International Conference Centre as Director of Sales, tasked with driving operational profit through national and international business development. In 2010, she became Head of Business Tourism at Marketing Edinburgh, promoting the city as a top-tier meetings destination. In 2017, Lesley joined GainingEdge,… Continue reading Lesley Williams
Expertise: Destination & DMO/CVB Advisory
Shogo Kaneda
Shogo worked for Korean DMC based in Tokyo to start his career in the business event industry and later joined MICE consulting company in Tokyo. His expertise is in destination marketing and business development, and he has been consulting for years. He is Korean-Japanese and has a broad network in the Japan and Korea business… Continue reading Shogo Kaneda
Alicia Yao Hong
Based in Beijing, China, Alicia is a Business Development Consultant and help the destinations grow business events sourced from China. She has been responsible for supporting the organizations and convention bureaus for their meetings destination development, such as TAO European Incoming, Let’s Go Malta, Euromic for China market, South Africa National Convention Bureau (SANCB), Vienna… Continue reading Alicia Yao Hong
Tia Daniels
Tia is based in Denmark and brings more than 25 years of experience in the meetings and events industry to GainingEdge, with many of her previous positions stationed in the U.S. and Denmark. Her most recent roles include Director of Sales and Marketing at Konventum Hotel & Conference Center and International Senior Sales Manager, Congresses &… Continue reading Tia Daniels
Nigel Brown
Nigel Brown is part of the BestCities Global Alliance management team where he is Director, Marketing & Partnerships. He started his career at the head office of the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) in Amsterdam. He was part of the event organising team of ICCA and served for 7 years organising a host of… Continue reading Nigel Brown
Loren Christie
Loren Christie brings more than 25 years of experience in Tourism & Hospitality to his role as Managing Director of the BestCities Global Alliance. He held various leadership positions with Starwood Hotels & Resorts during his 17 year career with them including Director of Sales for International Congress, Business Transient and Leisure Sales at the… Continue reading Loren Christie
Sebastian Sew
Sebastian Sew is an accomplished Business Opportunities and Meetings Professional with over 20 years of international experience. He began his career at the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) headquarters in Amsterdam in 2003 as a Data Researcher, focusing on identifying association meetings and ensuring data quality. In 2005, he transitioned to ICCA’s Sales and… Continue reading Sebastian Sew
Helen Crompton
Helen has worked in the meetings industry for 12 years, joining the multi-award-winning ACC Liverpool when it opened in 2008, and first working in event management before moving into the conference sales and bidding team. Having spent many years working in the only convention, arena and exhibition centre in Liverpool, she has worked with a… Continue reading Helen Crompton
Molly Doheny
Molly has worked as a travel agent, tour operator, travel PR account director and destination marketing executive in a MICE and travel career that spans over 30 years. In 1997, Molly joined what was then the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board as Senior Manager – Convention Bureau, and 3 years later was promoted… Continue reading Molly Doheny
Jane Vong Holmes
Jane joined GainingEdge in June 2009, and today, as Senior Manager Asia, focuses on GainingEdge’s business and relationships in the continent. Prior to this role, Jane served for 8 years as Regional Director Asia Pacific for the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA). During her tenure, the ICCA Asia Pacific Regional Office established a research… Continue reading Jane Vong Holmes