Our Team

 

Damien Kitto

Damien Kitto Chief Executive Officer

Damien joined the Business Events Adelaide team as Chief Executive Officer in 2008 following 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 served as President of the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux and Deputy Chair of the Business Events Council of Australia. He provides strong leadership with a clear strategic focus for the Australian and South Australian business events sector.

General Manager - Strategy & Policy

Tony Saulters General Manager Strategy & Public Affairs

Tony has had a varied and successful career, beginning as a butler in London. An MBA graduate from the University of South Australia, he previously held senior corporate positions in 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 and helping position Adelaide for continued and long-lasting success.

Marcia Mudge

Marcia Mudge Director National Bidding and Events

Marcia brings more than 20 years experience including roles in the public and private sector, delivering 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. Marcia leads the team responsible for bringing domestic business events to Adelaide, and works with organisers to amplify their events while in South Australia to ensure they create connections with members, government and industry, showcase our innovative State and ultimately contribute to the thriving economy.

Mark Phelps

Mark Phelps Director International Bidding

Mark leads 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.

Mary White

Mary Leombruno Director - Membership

Mary joined the Business Events Adelaide team as an Administration and Finance Officer in 2001 and has held a number of senior roles, now being responsible for Membership. She 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.

Amber Calder

Amber Calder Director Corporate Services

Amber is a seasoned professional with 30 years’ experience in private, public and international business. With a career encompassing a broad spectrum of corporate roles, she brings a wealth of knowledge in supporting and driving both process and operational business improvement in corporate services. Amber is excited to support the Business Events Adelaide team in attracting business events and working in an organisation that showcases South Australia's exceptional venues, diverse experiences, and unparalleled hospitality.

Edgar Navarro Perez

Edgar Navarro Perez Senior International Business Development Manager

Born and raised in Mexico, Edgar relocated to Brisbane in 2011 and 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 international experience in the visitor economy and a true passion for South Australia.

Helen Xu 2

Helen Xu Director of Sales Asia

Helen brings over 20 years of sales and business development experience from the hotel industry. Originally from China, she has worked across a variety of destinations in Asia and Australia. She is responsible for growing the number and value of international corporate incentive business events secured to Adelaide and is excited and passionate about the promotion of SA to Asia.

Peumi Peiris

Peumi Peiris Manager - Business Development

Peumi 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.

Marc Leopold

Marc Leopold Manager - International Business Development

Marc brings over two decades of experience in the visitor economy, with more than 15 years working in inbound tourism across both the public and private sectors. Having held various sales, industry development, and business development roles, he is keen to build strong relationships and attract more international business events to South Australia. A passionate South Australian, Marc loves exploring the Yorke Peninsula with his family and friends.

Rechelle Hatcher 2

Rechelle Hatcher Manager - Business Development

Rechelle’s sales management career began in the travel and tourism sector where she cultivated her passion for helping others and the planning and execution of sales goals and targets. She also has extensive media and marketing expertise having worked in the fast paced radio industry as well as the finance sector. Prior to joining the Business Events Adelaide team, Rechelle worked in the medical industry where she spent time in theatre educating clinical teams mainly in the areas of neurosurgery and general surgery. Rechelle is passionate about South Australia and can’t wait to share all that SA has to offer with Business Events Adelaide's clients.

Mark Burns

Mark Burns Manager - Business Development

Mark's background as a seasoned Business Development and Sales Manager, coupled with his diverse industry experience, positions him well for his role at Business Events Adelaide. Having relocated to Adelaide over 20 years ago, Mark has developed a deep passion for the city and its offerings. His expertise lies in brokering deals that not only achieve exceptional outcomes for his clients but also highlight industry excellence and optimise member benefits. Mark's specialisation in the Victorian market indicates his focus on leveraging his knowledge to contribute significantly to Adelaide's economic growth and the broader benefits for the state.

Paul Shaw

Paul Shaw Manager - Business Development

Paul held senior hotel sales roles in London before moving to Australia in 2007 as the Director of Sales & Marketing at the Crowne Plaza Canberra and the National Convention Centre. He arrived in Adelaide in 2010 as the Director of Sales & Marketing at the InterContinental Adelaide. Having fallen in love with South Australia, Paul joins Business Events Adelaide after holding senior commercial roles with key membership organisations such as Property Council and Business SA. Paul thrives on building and strengthening relationships and creating long-lasting, successful partnerships.

Andrew McKenna

Andrew McKenna Research Manager

Andrew brings a unique set of skills from a diverse career spanning commercial property, agribusiness, business advocacy and retail. More recently, Andrew has held senior positions at the SA Business Chamber (formerly Business SA), including being Director of Policy and Advocacy during the pandemic period. Holding an MBA from the University of Adelaide, Andrew has a wealth of experience and understanding of the South Australian economy and its strategic strengths. Andrew’s family love living in Adelaide and making the most of all our beautiful state has to offer, particularly the myriad of iconic beaches and wine regions.

Rebin

Rebin Bid Design and Creative Manager

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.

Courtney Wilkinson

Courtney Wilkinson Business Development Associate

Courtney brings a wealth of experience from her tenure in membership organisations. Her background is in events, sponsorship, and marketing, gained from her previous roles at Architectural Designers New Zealand and, most recently, The Christchurch Club. Having relocated from New Zealand to Adelaide in mid-2024, Courtney was drawn to the city's picturesque hillside, coastal beaches, and the renowned wine regions of South Australia. She is eager to apply her versatile skills to support the Business Development team.

Jessie Yu

Jessie Yu Senior Officer - Business Development (Asia)

Before joining the Business Development team, Jessie gained valuable experience in Europe and China, as well as the wine industry in Adelaide. She originally studied and worked in Switzerland, where she began her career as a kitchen trainee in various luxury hotels and resorts, and also assisted in managing the inauguration of a museum for a chef of the British Royal Family. Jessie holds a double degree in International Business and Culinary Arts, along with a master's degree in Wine Business, and she is excited about using her expertise to showcase Adelaide to the Asian market.