The Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau (SCVB) has announced it will update its constitution and change its name to Business Events Sydney (BES) as part of a continuing drive to win more business meetings for the city.

SCVB members voted in favour of the changes, effective September 1, at an extraordinary general meeting held in Sydney yesterday (August 12).

The change to the constitution clears the way for Events NSW’s chief executive, Geoff Parmenter, and chairman John O’Neill to be appointed to the board and creates provision for four new independent directors.

The process to appoint the independent directors is now underway, with former Board Chairman Col Hughes appointed as an interim Chairman to the board.

Three member-elected directors will also remain on the board. They are Bryan Holliday, Todd Coates and Rodger Powell.
SCVB managing director, Jon Hutchison, said the changes would build on the organisation’s new alliance with Events NSW and help provide the flexibility required to reach its goal of making Sydney one of the world’s top ten conference destinations.

“Business Events Sydney better describes what the SCVB is all about — securing a wide range of business events for our city, from association congresses to corporate meetings and incentives,” he said.