The Big Cheese with SilverNeedle Hospitality area vice president Mark Pollard

The great thing about my job is… Having the ability to work with such a great, dynamic team of professionals where innovation and entrepreneurialism is encouraged, and having the privilege to travel around and visit our fantastic network of hotels and venues across the Asia Pacific.

The challenge for industry is… Adapting to organisations continuing to look for savings and ways to stretch their dollar further, the reduction in lead time, working together as destinations to secure business and not being afraid to collaborate with your neighbours to win a piece of business.

My greatest achievement is… Without a doubt seeing my team at SilverNeedle Hospitality (past and present) grow and develop into an amazing bunch of industry professionals and friends.

The biggest thing in MICE this year will be… The industry learning more about why Chifley Hotels are known as the small meetings specialists at this year’s AIME exhibition in Melbourne.

I try to relax by… Not getting too obsessed with exercise and actually enjoying a relaxing swim and walk every now and then.

I don’t understand why… I only just discovered Thailand last year; 2 times business, 2 times leisure (and a sneaky trip to start off 2013).

Currently the album playing on my iPod is… One of my own playlists with a mix of Ed Sheeran, INXS, U2, Coldplay and a couple of House tunes thrown in for a good mix.

My favourite venue is… The 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai – in fact so much that I’ve booked it for my 40th birthday next year.

I am scared to death of… Flying (which is ironic considering I fly a lot).

I can’t live without… Being close to some body of water where I can do my laps.                              

Blackberry or iPhone… iPhone.

I really wish I had… 2A as a permanent seat in upper class on my favourite long haul flight.

If I could invite four people to a dinner party, they’d be… My best friends who are now scattered across the globe in different cities – it would just be nice to all be in the same room (probably at our favourite holiday house in Byron Bay).