Ms Janine Kirk, Chairman of the Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau (MCVB), announced today that she had accepted the resignation of Chief Executive Officer, Mr Garry Kingshott after two years with the organisation.

Mr Kingshott, who will be moving to Mumbai early in 2006 to take up a senior executive role with Jet Airways (India) Limited said, “It was a difficult decision to leave MCVB at such an exciting time for the business events industry in Melbourne. With the new convention centre coming on stream, and significant growth predicted from the Asian incentive market, the next few years will see Melbourne confirm its position as Australia’s number one business events destination.”

During Mr Kingshott's leadership of MCVB the organisation has performed strongly with its business events activities recording double digit growth.

“It is sad to see Garry leave us at this exciting time," Ms Kirk said. "In the past two years he has worked closely with the Board to sharpen the strategic focus of the business, producing some outstanding results and leaving a business much better equipped to meet the challenges and growth expectations established by our newly implemented strategic plan.”

Mr Kingshott will continue in his role until the end of February, 2006.