Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/708225
PEOPLE 56 Jul-Aug 2016 meetings & conventions • mcmag-asia.com QUICK CHAT Andrew Jordan has joined Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) as chief technology officer. A member of CWT's global executive team based in London, Jordon will continue to build on CWT's technology and travel innovation to offer more personalised services for clients. Having held senior positions in technology functions at NBC Universal International, Citigroup, Thomson Reuters and dunnhumbly, he has extensive experience across B2C and B2B brands. Jan Tonkin has been appointed president of the International Association of Professional Conference Organisers (IAPCO) for a two-year term. An IAPCO Council member since 2008, the New Zealander is the founder and managing director of Auckland- based full-service meeting planner The Conference Company, which became IAPCO's first and only New Zealand member in 2002. American Express Global Business Travel has appointed Rodolfo Elizondo as vice president and head of global business consulting group. In this role, Elizondo will lead the group to help customers in third-party negotiations and partnerships, travel programme optimisation and outsourced travel management. He has over 15 years of experience in travel, hospitality and consulting at global companies based in the US and Mexico. "Today's tech- savvy consumers want quick and easy access to information that is accurate, relevant and timely. These behavioural shifts are significantly impacting the corporate travel sector. I hope to bring new vision and ideas to the team, so we can continue to deliver industry- leading solutions to our clients." Grand Hyatt Taipei has tapped on the expertise of Sammy Carolus to lead its property and 1,000 staff as general manager. Starting as a sales executive with Hyatt Bali in 1992 and rising to his first general manager position in 2010 at Hyatt Regency Hua Hin, Thailand, Indonesian- born Carolus is relocating to Taipei with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry in Asia. Pedro Mendes, who has been appointed general manager, will helm Singapore's first Premier Inn property, Premier Inn Singapore Beach Road. Previously serving as cluster general manager for Premier Inn, covering six hotels in West London UK, Mendes has over 10 years' experience with the chain, covering all aspects of hotel operations.