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Karen Bolinger

Karen Bolinger

Best advice ever received:
“You don’t ask, you don’t get” 

 

Chair Since: 2026
Current Executive / Board positions
  • Director & Chair, Events Committee; Audit & Risk Committee Member, Tourism and Events Queensland
  • Director, Events Management Queensland
  • Founder, Bolinger Consulting / SAVEE World 
Qualifications/Education:

  • Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)

  • AICD Company Directors Course

  • Financial Management for Non-Financial Managers

  • Diploma in Marketing

  • Hotel & Catering Management qualifications (Australia & UK)
Former Positions and Board Roles

Visitor Economy Leadership

  • CEO, Melbourne Convention Bureau
  • Interim CEO, Destination Gold Coast
  • COO, Business Events Sydney
    GM Strategy & Marketing, Royal Agricultural Society of NSW

Global Industry Boards 

  • Chair/Director/Strategic Advisor, BestCities Global Alliance

  • President & Board Member, Association of Australian Convention Bureaux

  • Managing Director APAC & Board Member, PCMA

  • ICCA, Business Events Council of Australia, Simpleview, TFE Hotels

Government & Industry Advisory 

  • Tourism Industry Advisory Group, THRIVE2030, QTIC Mentor  Program

     

Community & Philanthropy Boards 

  • Chair, Western Health Foundation

  • Board Member, Starlight Children's Foundation Victoria

  • VP & Director, International Women's Forum Australia

Karen Bolinger GAICD is a strategic, outcome-driven Board Chair and Non-Executive Director with 30 years'  experience in P&L leadership, transformation, governance and stakeholder engagement across the visitor economy, major events,
agriculture, health and technology sectors. She brings strong commercial discipline, deep government and industry networks, and a proven record leading complex organisations, partnerships and change agendas.


Her executive career includes leading a $550 million annual business events pipeline as CEO of the Melbourne Convention Bureau, and guiding a $21 million organisation with $5.8 billion in
annual visitor expenditure through merger and integration as Interim CEO of Destination Gold Coast. Across commercial, government and association sectors, Karen's board contribution spans governance, risk, ESG, culture, stakeholder strategy,
public-private partnerships, infrastructure, global partnerships
and major commercial negotiations.


Karen asks the questions others won't, challenges assumptions constructively, and keeps a room focused on outcomes. A passionate contributor who loves to mentor emerging leaders
and volunteers her time across several organisations and activities.


Her contribution has been recognised through the IMEX Paul Flackett Academy Award for global industry contribution (2022), the JMIC Unity Award for global contribution to business events (2018), the Tourism Accommodation Association Victoria Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry (2019), and a Top 25
Leading Women in Business Events (Meetings & Conventions Magazine, 2017) listing.