Fiona MacDonald joins the team as Britain Business Visits & Events Manager.
Fiona will be responsible for marketing and communications activity designed to add value to the work of destination partners across the UK in winning and keeping business events. Fiona will also lead work on defining Britain’s competitive positioning through insights, research and partnerships.
Fiona joins VisitBritain from Reed Exhibitions where she shaped the Travel Division’s global strategy, overseeing growth from 12 to 20 events in five years. Prior to this Fiona was a Research Analyst at the New Zealand Ministry of Tourism, where she led national travel research analysis and insights that informed policy advice to the Prime Minister (Minster of Tourism).
John Sklencar is VisitBritain’s new Business Visits and Events Manager for the USA.
Based in VisitBritain’s New York office, John will develop strategic interventions with event organisers in North America, providing a route for the UK business events industry and destinations to access intermediaries in market.
John joins VisitBritain from Destination DC, the official organisation responsible for promoting Washington as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination.
The overall aims of VisitBritain’s business visits and events team are to: deliver measurable economic impact for the UK visitor economy from new, existing and return events; enhance delegate numbers and business extenders; and showcase Britain as a centre of excellence in key priority sectors for UK trade, export and investment.
Welcoming the two new appointments, VisitBritain Head of Business Visits and Events Chris Foy said:
“I’m very pleased to welcome Fiona and John to the team. These two latest appointments represent another stage in VisitBritain’s commitment to supporting the business visits and events sector at home and overseas. These are exciting times for the industry thanks to a nationwide strategy, increased funding and a clear remit for promoting Britain as a business visits and events destination. I look forward to the team making a big difference in winning and retaining business, as well as driving awareness of the benefits of holding events in Britain.”
Chris announced the new appointments at an Events are GREAT Britain industry briefing held at Methodist Central Hall.
Events are GREAT Britain - part of the wider and hugely successful GREAT campaign - acts as the umbrella brand for the UK’s drive to deliver more international business to the UK, working closely with the Business Visits & Events Partnership and newly created UK Events Industry Board.
