The British Association of Conference Destinations (BACD) has announced the appointment of Hamish Reid as the new chair of BACD.

He took up office as chair at the association’s Annual General Meeting, held on the 6^th June 2007 at The Quay Hotel in Deganwy, North Wales.

Hamish Reid has been general manager of the Jersey Conference Bureau since 1999, a body which represents many of the island’s hotels and their business tourism interests.

The Jersey Conference Bureau was the first Private Public Partnership set up in Jersey and its success has seen private income double in the last five years.

Previously Hamish held senior sales and marketing positions with Starwood Hotels and Thistle Hotels in London. Hamish was also chair of BACD in 2003-2004.

Hamish takes over from the outgoing chair, Sue Stuart, chief executive of Edinburgh Convention Bureau, and will hold the position for the next year. 

Comments Hamish: “"The last few years have seen a great amount of change and reorganisation within destination marketing across the British Isles. There have been several mergers and the reality of that is the number of BACD members has decreased. However, the membership does reflect about 90 percent of British destinations and the association still has a turnover in excess of £350,000.”

“During this period members’ priorities and goals have also changed and the services that the association delivers must also be flexible to better meet the needs of its members. We will be meeting with members over the next few months to fully explore what they want from their association. After this consultative period the members will have created the future direction and destination for the association.”

“The financial position of the association is not as healthy as it was three years ago after two years of trading losses. However, I am confident that with a new direction, through our relationship with Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), and by improving our educational offering and aligning our services more closely with members’ needs, the association can grow and will continue to play an important part in the development of the conference industry in the British Isles."