Karen Bolinger has been appointed the Asia Pacific managing director of global business events association PCMA.

Formerly the CEO of Melbourne Convention Bureau, Bolinger brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the business events sector to the role.

“In light of the current environment we find ourselves in, I’m excited to work with PCMA and the Asia Pacific team to develop a clear pathway of available opportunities to activate the recovery of the business events industry in the APAC region,” she said .

Based in Melbourne, Bolinger will lead PCMA’s Asia Pacific operations team through its office in Singapore, focussing on new initiatives to extend and strengthen PCMA’s presence in the region.

This includes region-specific events, thought leadership, curated content and education, as well as enhanced stakeholder engagement and identifying new business partners.

PCMA president and CEO Sherrif Karamat welcomed Karen Bolinger to the organisation.

“As stakeholders in the global business events industry look towards a post-COVID-19 recovery, we believe that the Asia Pacific region will recover first and that the industry will be substantially changed,” said Karamat.

“Karen will support PCMA’s APAC growth through her track record of business event industry leadership success and ability to introduce new strategic initiatives in the face of industry and marketplace challenges.

“PCMA is determined to ensure business events are a critical part of the recovery solution in a post-COVID-19 world. And today that solution starts in Asia Pacific.”