Lesley Williams
Managing Director at BestCities Global Alliance- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Joanne Hannah
Lesley is an exceptional sales and marketing professional. Commercially astute, inclusive, and a natural leader. Lesley consistently delivers high quality advice and insights to enable strategic decisions to further the value and quality of delivery of business tourism at local, national and international levels. She is a talented and knowledgeable events consultant who I would recommend without hesitation.
Ben Goedegebuure
I know Lesley as a true professional, dedicated, thorough and focussed on delivering results. She truly wants to provide her clients with the best possible experience and is an industry professional who wants to share experiences for the benefit of the larger community.
Joanne Hannah
Lesley is an exceptional sales and marketing professional. Commercially astute, inclusive, and a natural leader. Lesley consistently delivers high quality advice and insights to enable strategic decisions to further the value and quality of delivery of business tourism at local, national and international levels. She is a talented and knowledgeable events consultant who I would recommend without hesitation.
Ben Goedegebuure
I know Lesley as a true professional, dedicated, thorough and focussed on delivering results. She truly wants to provide her clients with the best possible experience and is an industry professional who wants to share experiences for the benefit of the larger community.
Joanne Hannah
Lesley is an exceptional sales and marketing professional. Commercially astute, inclusive, and a natural leader. Lesley consistently delivers high quality advice and insights to enable strategic decisions to further the value and quality of delivery of business tourism at local, national and international levels. She is a talented and knowledgeable events consultant who I would recommend without hesitation.
Ben Goedegebuure
I know Lesley as a true professional, dedicated, thorough and focussed on delivering results. She truly wants to provide her clients with the best possible experience and is an industry professional who wants to share experiences for the benefit of the larger community.
Joanne Hannah
Lesley is an exceptional sales and marketing professional. Commercially astute, inclusive, and a natural leader. Lesley consistently delivers high quality advice and insights to enable strategic decisions to further the value and quality of delivery of business tourism at local, national and international levels. She is a talented and knowledgeable events consultant who I would recommend without hesitation.
Ben Goedegebuure
I know Lesley as a true professional, dedicated, thorough and focussed on delivering results. She truly wants to provide her clients with the best possible experience and is an industry professional who wants to share experiences for the benefit of the larger community.
Experience
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BestCities Global Alliance
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Events Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Managing Director
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Jan 2020 - Present
The BestCities purpose is to harness the power of collaboration and community to create positive impact through business events. My role as MD is to work collaboratively with my team and our partner destinations to undertake meaningful activities to advance that purpose – supporting the delivery of successful events to help create positive societal, political, and economic impact for our partners, our association clients and the world at large.
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Director, Market Development
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Jul 2017 - Dec 2019
Working closely with city partners and the Management Team, my main focus is to help drive BestCities’ strategic goal of discovering new markets on behalf of the partners. Advancing BestCities initiated conferences strategy, developing a global ambassador program and evaluation of the corporate and incentive market opportunity for the Alliance.
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Caeliam Ltd
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Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Director
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Aug 2017 - Present
Caeliam provides support and consultancy to Convention Bureaux, Conference Centres and venues looking to attract the national and international association market. Business presents many challenges - some easily overcome, others not so. Caeliam supports you to work towards your goals with a positive attitude and a sense of enjoyment. Caeliam provides support and consultancy to Convention Bureaux, Conference Centres and venues looking to attract the national and international association market. Business presents many challenges - some easily overcome, others not so. Caeliam supports you to work towards your goals with a positive attitude and a sense of enjoyment.
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GainingEdge
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Australia
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Business Consulting and Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Consultant
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Jul 2017 - Present
GainingEdge exclusively advises the convention and meetings industry - national tourism agencies, convention & visitor bureaus (CVBs) and convention centre developers. Our comprehensive consulting expertise, capabilities and competencies help our clients tackle industry challenges, capitalise on opportunities and achieve operating excellence. GainingEdge exclusively advises the convention and meetings industry - national tourism agencies, convention & visitor bureaus (CVBs) and convention centre developers. Our comprehensive consulting expertise, capabilities and competencies help our clients tackle industry challenges, capitalise on opportunities and achieve operating excellence.
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Edinburgh
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United Kingdom
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Travel Arrangements
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1 - 100 Employee
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Head of Business Tourism
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Mar 2010 - Jun 2017
My role is to attract major national and international conferences to Edinburgh. As a Convention Bureau we offer a selection of complimentary services to support clients looking to place an event into the city. Our Edinburgh Ambassador Programme offers a networking group for those organising events, thinking about it, or in a position to influence others to do so. My role is to attract major national and international conferences to Edinburgh. As a Convention Bureau we offer a selection of complimentary services to support clients looking to place an event into the city. Our Edinburgh Ambassador Programme offers a networking group for those organising events, thinking about it, or in a position to influence others to do so.
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Business Development Director
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Nov 2008 - Feb 2010
Development of the business in Scotland seeking new contracts for exclusive and panel accounts. Management of the Scottish sales team of 7. Development of business for existing sites Development of the business in Scotland seeking new contracts for exclusive and panel accounts. Management of the Scottish sales team of 7. Development of business for existing sites
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Free lance
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Aug 2008 - Nov 2008
Free lance sales and marketing services Free lance sales and marketing services
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Director of Sales
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Jan 2008 - Aug 2008
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EICC
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United States
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IT Services and IT Consulting
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1 - 100 Employee
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Director of Sales
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Jan 2000 - Dec 2007
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International Sales Manager
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Jun 1998 - Jul 1999
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Director of Sales
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Jul 1995 - Oct 1997
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Education
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2003 - 2006
The University of Edinburgh
Part time MBA, MBA -
1984 - 1985
Queen Margaret University
postgrad diploma HCIMA, Hotel, catering and institutional management -
1980 - 1984
The University of Edinburgh
MA Hons, Economics
Community
