Midweek Interview with Amanda Anker, Director – Marketing and Sales, Sydney Convention and Exhibitio

Midweek Interview with Amanda Anker, Director – Marketing and Sales, Sydney Convention and Exhibitio
By admin


The challenge for the industry is… Firstly, to ensure business events are at the forefront of companies’ and governments’ minds and not perceived as junkets.  Secondly, competition on an international level is fierce and, as such, we need to ensure Australia maintains its leading edge with facilities, service quality and government support.

The things I like about my job are… Without hesitation, the variety.  Balancing long-term strategic imperatives that influence Sydney’s and Australia’s success in business events, with shorter term projects such as organising the Centre’s 25th anniversary celebrations keeps life very interesting!

And the frustrations… Constantly working to show that the true value of business events goes far beyond the tourism dollar.  Events create long-term benefits and opportunities for virtually every industry in Australia.

If I didn’t work in travel… I would be a locavore in the south of France, growing grapes and olives.

Qantas or Virgin? Qantas. I think there is definitely a place for Virgin, but given the destinations I visit, I prefer Qantas.

My proudest moment was… The birth of my son, Andrew.

The naughtiest thing I ever did was… Definitely not for publication!

I try to relax by… Cooking for family and friends. Food is definitely a passion. My mother was an amazing cook and instilled in me a love of food and entertaining.

The last time I feared for my life… Was when I told my sister I hadn’t made dessert.

If I can, I always try to avoid… Compromising on quality.  Working with a premium brand means maintaining the highest quality of marketing at all times, while carefully managing budgetary restrictions.

I really wish I had… Access to the fantastic French produce markets.

The best advice I’ve ever received was… From my father who always says if in doubt about doing something, don’t, but if you’re afraid of doing it, do it.

I don’t understand why… Spelling, grammar and punctuation are not treated with greater importance at school.

My greatest weakness is… I don’t have a poker face. My eyes give my feelings away every time.

And my greatest strength… Diplomacy (but in writing, not face-to-face !)

If I was prime minister I would… Start the recruitment process for a new Party.

If I won $1 million on the lottery I would… In shock because it has been so long since I bought a ticket. Seriously, I would do home renovations, take a long holiday and donate to medical research.

If I could be someone else for one day I would be… Heston Blumenthal’s apprentice.

I’ve always wanted to travel to… The Pyramids in Egypt.

My favourite holiday was… Travelling with my husband and son to the Paris Airshow to see the Lockheed my husband’s (late) father owned and flew over Nazi Germany prior to WW2 on behalf of MI6, while clandestinely using the Lockheed 12A’s hidden cameras to take photographs of strategic sites.

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