Dubai steers the BestCities Global Alliance in 2011

After an action packed year at the BestCities Global Alliance, the leadership committee has changed hands and Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, Senior Manager at Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau, has handed over the baton to Natasha Tomé, Head of Marketing & Communication at Dubai Convention Bureau, who will take on the role as Management Committee Chair of BestCities Global Alliance for the next 12 months. 

She will work closely with David Frandsen, Executive Manager of Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau and Lisa Altieri, Associate Vice President Business Development, Puerto Rico Convention Bureau in their respective roles as Board Chair and Chair of the Sales Group in 2011 to communicate a future vision for the alliance and oversee the overall development of its strategic plan. 

Frandsen said: “BestCities has come a long way, and it is my honor to carry its beacon into a new decade. What started as a friendly brainstorming session among five diverse and competing convention bureau a little more than 10 years ago, has today become a mighty force of some of the world’s top convention bureau with combined resources and expertise. Our common thread? The best meeting experience for all our clients!” 

“This year, we will up the ante with even more business development initiatives and activities and hold two client events, one each in Copenhagen and Dubai. Our Bid Intelligence Registry is, today, a treasure trove of information that will help our partner cities better understand the meeting requirements of clients, and serve their needs even better.” 

In its recent 12-month survey of some 200 clients, customer service, quality of bid materials provided, overall experience of working with the CVB and assistance with the bid preparation were rated very highly, with an average rating of 9 out of 10, and even more in some cases. 

Natasha Tomé added: “This year, we will launch our series of eight Resource Articles which will provide meeting planners around the world access to best practices for a successful meeting.” Lisa Altieri who leads the sales and business development working group in the alliance this year shared that business development ‘has never been stronger’ and promised a host of activities that will give meeting planners more contact with BestCities Global Alliance. “Meeting planners can also submit their RFP via our alliance website and be assured of a response within 24 hrs on a business day.”