The Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau has announced it will update its constitution and change its name to Business Events Sydney as part of its continuing drive to win more business meetings for the harbour city.

SCVB members voted in favour of the changes, effective September 1, at an extraordinary general meeting held in Sydney in August.

The change to the constitution clears the way for Events NSW’s chief executive officer, Geoff Parmenter and chairman, John O’Neill to be appointed to the board, and creates provision for four new independent directors.

The process to appoint the independent directors is now underway, with former Board Chairman Col Hughes appointed as an interim chairman to the Board.

Meanwhile, three member-elected directors will remain on the board: Bryan Holliday, Todd Coates and Rodger Powell.

Speaking at the EGM, SCVB managing director Jon Hutchison told members that the changes would build on the organisation’s new alliance with Events NSW and help provide the flexibility required to reach its goal of making Sydney one of the world’s top ten conference destinations.