Our Team

Damien joined the Business Events Adelaide team as Chief Executive Officer in 2008 following his employment at Events South Australia. With his extensive experience at Events South Australia and South Australian Tourism Commission, Damien has a successful track record of facilitating collaboration across private and public sectors to position Adelaide, South Australia as a destination of choice. Damien has previously held the roles of President of the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux and Deputy Chair of the Business Events Council of Australia. He has provided strong leadership with a clear strategic focus for the Australian and South Australian business events sector.

Scott is an established executive level professional, having held senior leadership positions across multiple state, national and international organisations prior to joining Business Events Adelaide in 2023. A former professional table tennis player, Scott represented Australia and South Australia at junior, youth and senior level before serving as CEO of Table Tennis Australia Ltd. for nearly six years. Scott is a graduate from the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has completed both an MBA and a Bachelor of Business at the University of South Australia. Scott is looking forward to overseeing the operations of Business Events Adelaide and building on the significant growth of recent years.

Tony joined the Business Events Adelaide team in 2023 following a varied and successful career which began as a butler in London. An MBA graduate from the University of South Australia, he has held senior corporate positions in both private and public organisations across a range of industry sectors in Australia and overseas. Tony’s breadth of experience and strong strategic mindset helps to develop the critical thinking needed to drive continuous improvement. He is enthused by the economic and growth opportunities that business events present to South Australia and looks forward to helping position Business Events Adelaide for continued and long-lasting success.

Jakki Govan is a passionate South Australian and a collaborative connector. A driven leader in the business events sector and visitor economy for over 20 years. Jakki has worked in the public and private sector, representing both national and international venues and destinations. A strategic thinker, she is passionate about the enduring benefits that business events have for the destination and the visitor. Jakki is thrilled to now be General Manager Bid Management at Business Events Adelaide where she can assist the team in securing meaningful business events to grow the economy of South Australia.

Mary joined the Business Events Adelaide team as an Administration and Finance Officer in 2001. In 2008 Mary was appointed General Manager and leads her team with vision and passion, constantly seeking new opportunities for growth, expansion and development whilst showcasing South Australia. Mary is proactive in promoting South Australia and leading the Business Events Adelaide team to encourage members to bid for upcoming events to host in wonderful South Australia with the help of the team.

Since Casey joined Business Events Adelaide in 2017, she has held the positions of Business Development Manager and National Sales Manager and is now Director of International Bidding. Casey’s current role oversees the sales and bidding strategy for international business events and is responsible for managing the international team with the objective of attracting global business events to Adelaide with a link to the State’s areas of economic focus. Casey has experience in attracting Hydrogen, AgTech, Health, Medical, and Mining events to SA. She is passionate about the vital role business events play in the South Australian economy and the economic tail that flows through to the innovation districts and universities through information exchange and business collaborations following an international business event hosted in Adelaide.

Helen joined the Business Events Adelaide in 2023 and brings over 20 years of sales and business development experience from the hotel industry. Originally from China, she has worked across a variety of cities in Asia and Australia. She is excited and passionate about promotion the state to Asia and is responsible for growing the number and value of International Corporate Incentive Business Events secured to Adelaide.

Dr Tamara Gray is a science innovation professional, enthusiastic about the growth sectors in South Australia. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry, spending a significant part of her career as a postdoctoral researcher, and brings a wealth of knowledge in a variety of South Australia’s key innovation precincts, including health, science and medical research. Prior to joining Business Events Adelaide in 2023, Tamara served as the Operational Lead for Adelaide BioMed City, South Australia’s health innovation and translation district. She looks forward to supporting Business Events Adelaide to secure business events that foster meaningful collaborations and investment to accelerate SA’s areas of strategic focus.

Marcia brings more than 20 years experience including roles in the public and private sector, Marcia has delivered exceptional event outcomes on the Santos Tour Down Under, Santos Women’s Tour, Adelaide International Horse Trials, the Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive and Tasting Australia. Now moving to business events Marcia’s role will work with business event organisers to amplify their events while in South Australia, ensuring they create connections with our members, government and industry, showcase our innovative State and ultimately contribute to our thriving economy.

Born and raised in Mexico, Edgar relocated to Brisbane, Australia in 2011 having lived in Queensland for five years Edgar moved to Adelaide in 2016. Since then, he has fallen for South Australia’s stunning landscapes, coastal beaches, and most of all Adelaide’s innovative and industrious business environment. With a Degree in Tourism, Edgar brings to Business Events Adelaide, his vast international experience in the visitor economy and his true passion for South Australia, focusing on the VIC market.

Mark joined Business Events Adelaide in 2023 as part of the International Business Development team. He has over 25 years of experience in the visitor economy having worked in a variety of sales, marketing and business developments roles in Adelaide and Melbourne. He is passionate about South Australia and enjoys the stunning regions of the Barossa, Kangaroo Island and the Outback. He looks forward to increasing the number of international business events aligned to SA's key economic sectors and innovation districts.

Peumi joined the Business Events Adelaide in 2023 and is responsible for promoting Adelaide as a sought-after destination for business events. Born and raised in Sri Lanka, Peumi first came to Adelaide to pursue her university studies. Since then, she has fallen in love with the city and is passionate about promoting it. Armed with the experience she gained in Sri Lanka in the business events sector, specifically in the areas of research and business development, Peumi seeks to attract international business events to Adelaide, helping the state’s economy thrive.

Sara has 15 years of industry experience across business development and sales in South Australian 5 Star Hotels, as well as the associations sector. Specialising in business events, Sara’s passion for the industry shines through as she showcases why South Australia is an inspiring destination for business events. Sara has a vast industry network nationally and is a proud South Australian, representing Business Events Adelaide in the key New South Wales market.

Chris joined Business Events Adelaide in 2023 as part of the domestic business development team, where he is responsible for the ‘rest of Australia’ domestic market and NZ incentive market. A very passionate South Australian, Chris has spent the last 5 years working in 5 star hotels and venues in sales and business development roles, specialising in business events. Mainly working with associations and Professional Conference Organisers, Chris has created an extensive network throughout the industry and is very excited to work with members to showcase South Australia as a premier business events destination.

Sharna joined the Business Events Adelaide in 2022 providing administrative support to the CEO and team through maintaining a process driven approach to team coordination. Sharna graduated from UniSA, achieving a Bachelor of Business degree in Tourism and Event Management which fuelled her knowledge and passion of the tourism/events industry. Sharna brings her experience of delegation and organisation to support the Business Events Adelaide team across a variety of events and administrative functions.

Previously spending most of his professional life in Singapore, Rebin relocated to Adelaide in early 2022 after falling in love with South Australia’s great outdoors during his previous vacation trip. With 13 years of creative experience working with international brands such as Sony, Toyota, and Canon—Rebin brings tremendous expertise and craftsmanship to bid design and marketing activities at the Business Events Adelaide.