HOTELIER turned hospitality and tourism consultant Sarah Goldfinch is joining Adelaide Convention Centre as general manager.
Sarah held senior roles with IHG and Accor among other brands before operating her own consultancy, Goldfinch Hospitality, to provide strategic and operational direction to clients in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
Martin Radcliffe, chief executive at Adelaide Venue Management – the operators at Adelaide Convention Centre – said Sarah’s wealth of experience coupled with her business acumen, customer-centric approach and passion for South Australia made her uniquely qualified to lead the centre’s team and dive tis global ambition.
More… Adelaide credits conference legacy for landing space agency
“We’re delighted to officially welcome Sarah to the team. Her extensive experience and networks will further grow our centre and destination’s standing in the highly competitive global events marketplace,” Radcliffe said
“Sarah will be an impactful ambassador for the centre as we work to bring more national and international conventions and events to Adelaide and continue to elevate our delegate experience.”
Prior to moving into consultancy work, Sarah led the opening of the Crowne Plaza Adelaide and was GM at Novotel Barossa Valley Resort with a focus on business events. She has served on numerous boards supporting regional development, events and tourism, including Business Events Adelaide.
Case Study… Ozwater’21 taps into Adelaide
Her consultancy work included guiding the pre-opening team at the luxury Oval Hotel at the city’s famous cricket stadium across sales and marketing strategies.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the Adelaide Convention Centre team at such an exciting time for events in South Australia, and look forward to helping further build upon the centre’s reputation for innovation and excellence, as well as advance the great work it has been doing in the sustainability space,” said Sarah, who takes up her role in February.
Sarah’s appointment follows a record 2022/23 for Adelaide Convention Centre, with the venue on track to achieve another outstanding result this year, said a spokesman for Adelaide Convention Centre.
During 2023/24, the centre will host some 82 major national and international business events, injecting more than A$190 million in economic benefit into the South Australian economy.
