Edward Kwek: Business Events, Tourism Education and Getting Your Foot in the Door
Episode Summary
In this episode of Tourism Matters, join Carmen Bold as she chats with Edward Kwek about careers in the business events and tourism industry, and what it really takes to get your foot in the door.
Ed has spent more than two decades working across tourism, business events, and tourism education in Southeast Asia and Australia. In this conversation he shares insights from across his career, including how the business events sector has evolved, what happens behind the scenes of major conferences and incentive programs, and the skills that matter most for people wanting to build a career in tourism, hospitality, or events.
We also discuss the role of industry education, why networking is still one of the most powerful tools in tourism careers, and how innovation and sustainability are shaping the future of business events.
What you'll take away from this episode
• A clearer understanding of the business events sector and how it fits within the broader tourism industry
• How the industry has evolved from traditional MICE terminology to the modern business events landscape
• The complexity behind delivering large conferences, exhibitions, and incentive travel programs
• The skills, experience and mindset that help people get started in tourism and events careers
• Why networking, referrals and industry relationships are so important in tourism career pathways
• Practical advice for young professionals on CV building, interviews, volunteering and gaining industry experience
• How innovation, digital technology and sustainability are reshaping the future of the business events industry
About Edward
Edward Kwek has more than 20 years of experience across the tourism, hospitality and business events sectors, working across Southeast Asia and Australia.
Alongside his industry experience, Ed is also involved in tourism and hospitality education, helping prepare the next generation of tourism professionals for careers in the visitor economy. His work spans industry practice, education, and research, giving him a unique perspective on how tourism careers develop and how the industry continues to evolve.
Connect with Edward
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-kwek-4b6b2a51/
Organisations and industry references mentioned
Melbourne Convention Bureau: https://www.melbournecb.com.au/
RMIT University: https://www.rmit.edu.au
Tourism Victoria (Visit Victoria): https://www.visitvictoria.com
Sabre Global Distribution System: https://www.sabre.com
Episode Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Ed’s background in tourism
00:30 Understanding the business events industry and the evolution from MICE
02:15 Industry innovation and new technology in event delivery
04:00 The complexity of coordinating conferences and incentive programs
07:20 Skills and experience needed for tourism and events careers
09:40 The importance of networking in the tourism industry
12:00 How industry changes shape career pathways
15:00 Advice for newcomers entering tourism and events
18:00 The role of education, volunteering and practical experience
21:00 Cultural and regional nuances in tourism markets
25:00 Sustainability and digital transformation in events
30:00 Recruitment, hiring and career development in tourism
34:00 Attitude, resilience and continuous learning in tourism careers
37:00 Reflections on how the industry has evolved