NEW LEADER AT HELM OF ACC

THE Adelaide Convention Centre has started 2018 with a new leader taking the reins following the promotion of Simon Burgess to general manager at the start of Jan.

He brings with him more than 20 years of experience, most recently spending five years as the director of convention and exhibition sales at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

The new appointment follows the announcement by former chief executive Alec Gilbert late last year that he would be stepping down after serving 12 years in the role.

Appointed by Adelaide Venue Management, Burgess was instrumental in increasing levels of business to match the new capacity of the Adelaide Convention Centre throughout its two-stage $397m redevelopment (BEN 31 Aug).

Speaking on his appointment, Burgess said it was an exciting time to assume the role and he could foresee bright times ahead for the ACC.

“We have a great legacy in terms of our new facilities from our recent expansion... this combined with the continued rejuvenation of the Adelaide Riverbank means the city is well-poised to be an even more attractive business events destination moving forward,” Burgess said.

As general manager, Burgess will oversee the Adelaide Convention Centre’s business development activities as well as the venue’s operations.

The new role will need to manage a busy schedule ahead, with the ACC set to host the MEA National Conference, the Australian Tourism Exchange and the Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE) conference this year.

MEANWHILE, The Adelaide Convention Centre has promoted Erryn Dryga to the role of senior sales manager conventions and exhibitions.

Before taking on her new job, Dryga was senior business development manager at the convention centre.

Simon Burgess is pictured with Erryn Dryga in front of the Adelaide Convention Centre.