Digital disrupter Professor Mary Anne Williams is the latest UTS member of the Business Events Sydney (BESydney) Ambassador Program, following Vice Chancellor Atilla Brungs and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Glenn Wightwick.
BESydney promotes Sydney, NSW and Australia as global business event destinations, competing to host events to bring the worlds’ best and brightest to our state to work, play and connect. Professor Williams was nominated for her leadership position in digital technologies and their ability to transform practices. Her work with the UTS Magic Lab includes smart organisations and the role of social robotics as a disruptive technology driving innovation and entrepreneurial practice will touch every industry.
Encouraging business investment and growing the knowledge economy are key priority areas for the NSW government, and hosting events such as the International Social Robotics Conference in Sydney in 2014 raised Mary-Anne’s profile in the business community.
“Obviously it’s a huge honour to be recognised by the city and NSW government. As an ambassador I will be have the opportunity to engage at high levels; the Premier heads the ambassadors, and the ambassadors are a highly influential group of eminent people,” said Professor Williams.
BESydney Ambassadors are leaders in their field who offer insights and a global network of contacts to help NSW win significant events that can increase global competitiveness. All are recognised for key attributes – insight, intelligence and influence - which can help State decision makers with advice and recommendations to position Sydney, and NSW, as a preferred global destination to connect, collaborate and innovate.
International conferences recently secured by BESydney contributed to trade, inward investment and innovation across many industry sectors, and to the international development of government policy, research agenda, academic pursuits and business collaborations. BESydney’s latest research demonstrates strong skilled migration outcomes with 7% of international delegates applying to work or study locally after their Sydney experience, and an economic impact of than $1 billion.
Naming the 10 new Ambassadors, NSW Premier Mike Baird, Patron of the Ambassador Program, said the Ambassadors are inspiring individuals whose involvement in this program will raise Sydney’s profile on the world stage, and create events and networking opportunities.
The BESydney magazine Sydney Shines features an interview with Mary-Anne, and also with Zareh Nalbandian, CEO Animal Logic, on the UTS Animal Logic Academy.