BestCities Global Alliance - the international network of convention bureaux -  has appointed industry stalwart Jerad Bachar as chairman of the board for 2012.

Bachar, who heads up the Dubai Convention Bureau and is chairman of the Global Leadership Advisory Council at Destination Marketing Association International, said he was ‘delighted’ to take on the role and follow in the footsteps of his predecessor David Frandsen, CEO of the Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau.

“The past twelve months have been extremely productive with more business development initiatives and activities than ever before and I am looking forward to continuing the work that David, and previous board chairs, have started,” he said.

Berlin and Houston are the latest cities to join the alliance, having been accepted by existing members Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dubai, Edinburgh, Melbourne, San Juan, Singapore, and Vancouver.

BestCities was established in 2000. Its main objectives are to promote best practice in the industry, share research and knowledge, and help its members promote their services internationally.

PIC: Jerad Bachar