Visit Sunshine Coast (VSC) has appointed Ali Thompson as its new business and leisure events manager, replacing the former role of business events manager, held by Maureen Brennan since 2018.

A highly experienced business events and tourism executive, Thompson brings more than 20 years of MICE experience to the role. She has owned and operated her own marketing and events business and has worked with events companies and industry bodies from the UK, New Zealand and Australia, including the coordination of the Asia-Pacific Incentive & Meetings Event (AIME) in 2017 and 2018.

Thompson is also a founding member of Influential Women in Meetings & Events, member of Women in Tourism, and Event Professionals Australia, was a Committee Member of Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) for many years, and previously sat on the Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Advisory Board.

In her new role, Thompson will work closely with the events team at Sunshine Coast Council, Tourism and Events Queensland, and business and events operators across the Sunshine Coast to strengthen the region’s position as a leading business and event destination.

Thompson’s appointment has come at an exciting time for the Sunshine Coast, which VSC chief executive officer Matt Stoeckel, said has enormous potential to grow its business leisure events sector.

“We are very fortunate to be able to attract such a passionate industry professional as Ali, and her experience and contacts will ensure she hits the ground at a really crucial time for the destination as we rebuild our business events market,” Stoeckel said.

Thompson said she was incredibly excited to join the the established business events team at VSC.

“The Sunshine Coast offers an array of unique incentive and conferencing opportunities, blessed with an incredible coastline and breathtaking hinterland. Plus, it has just been declared a Biosphere by UNESCO – what better place to wow delegates in a diverse eco-escapism that is committed to sustainability whilst warming the soul with year-round sunshine!” Thompson said.

The business events sector on the Sunshine Coast has been slowly rebuilding through the pandemic with the region hosting several major national conferences and events during 2022 including the United in Compassion 2022 Symposium, the annual Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Summit and Australasian HIV and AIDS conference.