The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) has appointed Steve Knight as its new senior business tourism manager.
Knight will manage and lead the Birmingham-based company’s Convention Bureau, which aims to attract and retain sporting and major events in the city and the West Midlands.
Knight, who was appointed event director for The Meetings Show in 2012, will work with WGMC partners across the region to develop event bids and lead national and international sales missions.
The former VisitBritain, Reed Exhibitions and Newcastle University London employee will also establish a new Ambassadors Programme and aim to cement the West Midlands status as a ‘leading conferring capital’.
Knight said: “As we enter a new era of economic recovery, there is so much room for optimism and excitement in the West Midlands thanks to major investments into our events offering coupled with major highlights such as the Coventry UK City of Culture and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
“We will use these milestones to take the West Midlands’ story to the world, acting as a trusted partner alongside our many great accommodation and venue suppliers to attract more events to the region and lead the UK’s resurgence post-pandemic.”
Roger Mendonca, chief operating officer at WMGC, added: “Steve has an outstanding enthusiasm for business tourism and a deep understanding and experience in what makes the sector tick. His expertise will be particularly significant as we work closely with our universities and partners across the West Midlands to relaunch and strengthen our Conference Ambassador Programme.”
