CIM NEWS MAGAZINE Issue 3 2017 | Page 29

MEETING PEOPLE Ali Copeman has been appointed the Conventions and Incentives New Zealand Approved Professional Conference Organiser Group chairperson. Based in Dunedin she was director of the Otago Chamber of Commerce for nine years, the last three as president. Matt Rippin is the new general manager InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort. He was most recently general manager at Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside and spent over 13 years on the Gold Coast, including senior positions within the Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise. The Appointment Group – Asia Pacific has appointed Vicky Hartley as event director, global events, Singapore. She will spearhead the company’s expansion into the Asia Pacific MICE market. AVPartners has appointed Mitch Tucker as managing partner at Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach. He was previously sales manager at AVPartners RACV Royal Pines Resort. Pip Close has been appointed CEO of Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ). She is currently the CEO of the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association, taking on her new role on July 3. Previously, she was CEO of the Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association. Marc Sleeman has been appointed CEO of Grampians Tourism. Currently the general manager of Tourism Kuranda, Sleeman will begin with Grampians Tourism on July 3. He replaces outgoing CEO Will Flamsteed who has been in the role over the last five years. Melbourne Racing Club has appointed Matthew Forsyth as the new executive director – food and beverage. He will be responsible for overseeing food and beverage across its three racecourses, Club events, Gontran Cherrier and the club’s 13 pubs and clubs. InterContinental Hotels Group has appointed Keith Barr (pictured) as CEO, replacing Richard Solomons who steps down on June 30. Barr was previously chief commercial officer, and has spent nearly 17 years with IHG. Melbourne Star Observation Wheel has appointed Nicole Hill as its new head of sales and marketing. She was most recently senior sales manager at Wyndham Hotel Group, where she managed a sales team who looked after 23 hotels in Australia, SE Asia and the South Pacific. Visit Sunshine Coast has appointed Kylee Daniel in a newly created role as events marketing specialist. She was previously the senior sponsorship manager for ANZ New Zealand for seven years and most recently working with clients such as the World Masters Games 2017. cievents have appointed Damian Fry as event director in Hong Kong. Hailing from London, he has over 10 years global experience including roles with MCI, Credit Suisse and American Express. Jane Runyu-Fordimail has been appointed the new CEO of Nitmiluk Tours in Katherine. The tourism operation is a division of the Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation. Marriott International has appointed Michelle Scott as director of sales & marketing for Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay. Most recently, she was director of sales for Brisbane Marriott Hotel. www.cimmagazine.com   Convention & Incentive Marketing, Issue 3, 2017  29