Lyn Lewis-Smith (fourth from left) stands with other members of the BESydney board. Photo Credit: Business Events Sydney
Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO of Business Events Sydney (BESydney), has announced she will step down from her position next year, marking the end of a transformative 12-year leadership tenure.
Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO of Business Events Sydney (BESydney), has announced her decision to step down at the end of June 2025, concluding a transformative 12-year leadership journey.
Reflecting on her tenure and two decades with BESydney, Lewis-Smith said, “This role is one of the best jobs in the global visitor economy. I will continue to a passionate advocate for Sydney.”
To ensure a smooth transition, Lewis-Smith will remain CEO until June 2025 as BESydney’s Board will soon begin a global search for a new CEO. The leadership shift aligns with new government funding for FY25, positioning BESydney for continued growth and success under new stewardship.
The announcement was made at BESydney’s Annual General Meeting, where the organisation highlighted its strong performance in FY2023/24. Under Lewis-Smith’s leadership, BESydney secured a robust pipeline of business events extending through 2030. This pipeline includes 58 confirmed global and national events, projected to bring in A$401 million in direct expenditure for New South Wales. The current fiscal year saw 69 events hosted, attracting 51,000 delegates and generating $216 million in direct expenditure.
The AGM also introduced new board members, with Nathan Cox from Accor and Michael Magafa from Encore Event Technologies joining the board, replacing outgoing directors Emma Bowyer and Marcus Hannah.