Tourism board appoints new CEO

SARAH Myers has been appointed as the next CEO of Ballarat Regional Tourism.

Ms Myers is a strategic marketer with experience in the food, wine, tourism, and local government sectors.

She will begin her new role early next month, having worked in Western Victorian destination marketing and strategy, as a consultant to Visit Ballarat, as manager of the award-winning Made of Ballarat campaign, and Grampians Tourism consulting marketing manager.

“I am delighted to be working with Ballarat Regional Tourism for this critical period ahead,” she said.

“I am here to work with, and advocate for, our tourism operators, working in conjunction with our industry and government partners to ensure Ballarat and our surrounding regions are best placed for the recovery and development of this important sector.”

Ms Myers has worked on marketing strategies for City of Ballarat economic development, Pyrenees Shire Council, and Ararat Rural City Council’s Made the Grampians Way, and is involved with the Committee for Ballarat.

BRT board chair Paul Martino said the organisation was “thrilled” to have Ms Myers as part of the team.

“Sarah is a focused strategic marketeer driven to develop and implement plans based on insightful consumer and commercial understanding,” he said.

Current CEO of more than two years, Natalie O’Brien will depart BRT in November.

“It has been an extremely rewarding experience working with the Ballarat visitor economy over the last two years,” she said.

“Ballarat and its neighbouring regions are so rich in potential, incredible product and passionate individuals driving the industry forward.

“I am very pleased to be able to handover this role to Sarah Myers at this pivotal point to lead the industry through recovery and growth.”

As this transition begins, Mr Martino said the tourism board is set to gain financial assistance from the State Government.

“This funding will provide support to businesses to deliver resilience, improve business capability and generate economic and employment-focused outcomes for our region.

“Over the next nine months, BRT will be relentless in supporting and advocating as the independent voice of the visitor economy,” Mr Martino said.