Press Cuttings Transcripts

London centre commission appointed

Meetings & Incentive Travel, May 2004

The first six expert members of the mayoral commission appointed to decide whether London needs a new, purpose built, convention centre have been announced. The commissioners are: Vanessa Cotton, former managing director of The Event Orgainisation Company; Martin George, British Airways director of marketing and commercial development; Gary Grimmer, former chief exectutive officer of the Melbourne Convention and Visitors’ Bureau; Katie Kopec, European director strategic consulting of Jones Lang LaSalle; Larry Oltmans, director of architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill; Roger Tondeur, CEO of MCI Group.

Gerry Acher, chair of the commission, said: “These appointments are great news for London. We have secured some of the brightest international talents in areas of strategic importance to this project, including business travel, venue and event management, property and architecture.

Set up under the auspicies of the mayor of London by the London Development Agency, the mayor’s agency for business and jobs, the commission is exploring in detail the potential benefits of building a large-scale international convention centre in the capital. It will also look more widely at other options to ensure London maximises its potential in the multi-billion pound business and convention sector.