Nadeeka Leeniyagoda of Aitken Spence Travel has been unanimously elected president of SLAPCEO.
Nadeeka Leeniyagoda, assistant general manager of Aitken Spence Travels, has become the first female president of The Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference, Exhibition and Event Organisers (SLAPCEO).
Leeniyagoda was unanimously elected during the association’s recent 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Amari Colombo.
Established in 2002, the association plays an integral role in private-sector decision-making forums related to the MICE sector. The Association works closely with Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), Tourism Industry Skills Council (TISC), and other national institutions to strengthen Sri Lanka’s position as a premier MICE destination.
The AGM was attended by industry stakeholders, including presidents of tourism associations, representatives from tourism authorities, and members of SLAPCEO.
In her inaugural address as president, Leeniyagoda outlined her vision to build a more inclusive and progressive industry, setting out to:
- Empower informal sector organisers to shift to the formal sector through enhanced local and international networking opportunities and improved access to modern technology.
Strengthen collaborations with key stakeholders such as SLCB, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (SLITHM), and industry associations including SLAITO, THASL, ASMET, and TISC.
Invest in capacity building by introducing targeted training programmes to inspire and engage the Gen Z workforce, ensuring their active participation and leadership in shaping the future of Sri Lanka’s MICE and events industry.
Joining Leeniyagoda on the executive committee for 2025/2026 are vice president Oshadee Withanawasam from The International Institute of Knowledge Management, secretary Dileesha Bulathsinhala from Asia Tours & Events, and treasurer Janice Hakel-Ranasinghe from Kairos Events & Weddings.
Committee members include Aasim Mukthar from Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services, Gayan Lakshitha from Beyond Boundaries Global, Manuja Kariapperuma from Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, Sandeep Jayawardhana from Walkers Tours, Sohan Fernando from DTH Lanka, and Lakshimaal Samarasinghe from Classic Destination.