Kwek will drive business events strategies and partnerships in South and Southeast Asia’s MICE sector, and engage with key customers through joint events
Tourism Australia has announced the appointment of Edward Kwek as Senior Business Events Manager for South and South East Asia. He reports to Regional Business Events Director for Asia, Edea Lu.
Taking up the role in Singapore, Kwek will support the implementation of business events distribution strategies and partnerships in South and South East Asia’s MICE segment, as well as engage with key customers and stakeholders through joint event activities in the region.
With 17 years of experience, Kwek was most recently Trade Manager Business Events for Tourism New Zealand, where he oversaw the development and implementation of business events strategy for South East Asia. Prior to that, he was the Regional Director of Southeast Asia & India at Melbourne Convention Bureau.
Speaking about the appointment, Regional Business Events Director for Asia, Edea Lu said, “Our research shows that these regions are recovering and growing at a rapid pace – in the first quarter of 2024, business events expenditure in Australia from India and Singapore reached 97% and 106% of 2019 numbers respectively. In total, South and South East Asia markets injected A$716 million into the economy from January to March 2024.”
She added, “It is now more important than ever for Tourism Australia to amplify our engagement with South and South East Asia’s business events customers, and strengthen Australia’s position as a desirable destination for corporate events. Edward’s experience and expertise will be instrumental in driving our business events strategy across the region and growing our business events segment.”
Speaking on his new role with Tourism Australia, Kwek said, “I look forward to working closely with incentive planners, Australian industry operators and the convention bureaus to create exciting, memorable and impressive experiences that celebrate the success of delegates.”
