Business Events Adelaide has announced its newly expanded bid team, which has been able to come together thanks to an increased funding allocation from the South Australian Government.

“The State Government’s investment in the organisation has been much welcomed, and is a clear signal that the Government sees business events as a sensible no-risk high-return investment in the State’s economic future,” Business Events Adelaide chief executive officer Damien Kitto said.

“Business Events Adelaide is now working into the ‘Department of the Premier and Cabinet’ as an economic growth rather than a tourism entity. Our worth delivering an economic tail for the State’s priority sectors out of the business events we strategically win, is now an established fact. We fully understand the responsibility to deliver, that this increased faith and investment in us brings.”

The new bid team (both International and Domestic) is led by Jakki Govan who joined the organisation late in 2022.

Govan has an enviable reputation both domestically and internationally in sales and marketing as well as an understanding of how to win business events, and of their economic value. She will be assisted by Casey Smith, who has been with the organisation for five years and now has been appointed international director of bidding.

The organisation’s international bid team includes:

• Helen Xu, director of sales Asia.
• Mark Phelps, manager business development.
• Peumi Peiris, manager business development.

The domestic bid team is:

• Chantel Kistenkas, manager business development – Sydney market.
• Edgar Navarro Pares, manager business development – Melbourne market.
• Sara King, manager business development – rest of Australia.

Additionally, the team will be supported by Marcia Mudge, director events and services, who will work directly with business event organisers to amplify their events in South Australia.