The Incentive Conference & Event Society in Asia Pacific announced that as of May 1 Simon Bernardi will join the team as the new executive director.
Bernardi previously worked for Qantas Airways, where he held a number of senior commercial roles within the airline and its associated companies.
During his career at Qantas, Bernardi had significant input into the company’s sales and distribution strategy with overall responsibility for the company’s remuneration of the travel industry sector including groups and incentives.
In announcing the appointment, president of ICESAP Nigel Gaunt said the appointment will help to grow the company.
“Simon brings a wealth of commercial & industry knowledge to this newly created role of Executive Director, and whilst this is initially a part-time role, it will grow as the Society’s plans materialise over the next 12 months,” Gaunt said.
“Simon’s role will include overseeing the Society’s continuing growth in membership, commercial relationships and most importantly the launch of ICESAP’s proposed Intermediary Agency Accreditation scheme in 2016.”
ICESAP was formed at the beginning of 2015 as the Asia Pacific peak body for the combined Incentive Conference & Event industry and now includes over 200 customers in the corporate member category.
In 2014, the Incentive Conference & Event industry in Asia Pacific reached US$120 billion in economic value to for the region, and it’s estimated that approximately 80% of this business originated from customers within Asia Pacific.
