Debbie Matthams
Newly launched TMC TakeTwo Travel Solutions is expanding its
service offering with the addition of a new meetings and events division, with
Debbie Matthams appointed as global head of events.
Matthams will spearhead the new MICE division’s growth on
both sides of the Atlantic, with TakeTwo having launched services in the US
last month.
She brings three decades of experience in conferences,
meetings and event logistics and management. This includes 26 years as head of
conference and events at the former Statesman Travel, where she established the
MICE division and led a team of nine in the development, production and
delivery of wide-ranging projects such as trade shows, conferences, incentive
trips, charity events, air shows, group air travel and accommodation and small
meetings. Matthams remained in this position following the acquisition of
Statesman by Travel & Transport, then was appointed client partnerships
director of CTM’s events division following the TMC’s acquisition of T&T.
Matthams also spent four years as senior events consultant
at Sotheby’s, managing in-house and external events for corporate clients.
TakeTwo CEO Chris Thelen commented: “I am very excited about
the launch of our meetings and events offering in the UK, Europe and North
America and am delighted to welcome Debbie to lead and grow this new division
at TakeTwo.
“Debbie has an exceptional track-record in all aspects of
conference, meetings and event management and operations. She is also highly
skilled in developing client relationships and ensuring excellent customer
service and quality delivery. She has a deep understanding of the logistics
required to organise all kinds of events, as well as establish and manage a
team and processes. Debbie will be a huge asset to TakeTwo as we look to grow
our MICE business in 2022 and beyond. Despite the recent emergence of the
Omicron variant, we intend to maximise opportunities as the MICE sector
recovers post-pandemic.”
Matthams added: “Although there is currently a degree of
uncertainty in the MICE sector due to the new Covid variant, there will be even
more pent-up demand for resuming in-person events in 2022 and beyond. In
addition, there will be strong demand for a mixture of virtual, hybrid and
in-person events.”