Melbourne tourism identity Mike Williams is leaving the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) to start his own business.

He will depart MCVB following AIME 2007 in mid February.

In an official announcement today by MCVB, Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase revealed that the Bureau would be one of Mike’s first clients.

“After 15 years of outstanding service to Melbourne’s and Victoria’s business events industry, Mike has decided it’s time to strike out on his own. We are very sorry to see him go but delighted to announce MCVB will be his first client. Mike will be working with us on several Business Development initiatives and we are very pleased to have someone of Mike’s calibre and experience assisting us with these projects,” she said.

Prior to joining MCVB Mike spent 12 years with the Australian Tourist Commission (now Tourism Australia) including management positions in Singapore, London and Sydney.

Mike has also held positions with Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) including a period as National President, has served on various committees with the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) and with BestCities.