Leading global tourism and business events industry consulting firm GainingEdge has announced that Steen Jakobsen will begin work as the company’s new CEO on September 1, 2025.
Steen Jakobsen has more than 25 years of international experience in the global tourism and business events industry. He served as Director of the Copenhagen Convention Bureau for 14 years, followed by 10 years as Vice President of Dubai Business Events, where he helped build one of the world’s most successful destinations while also overseeing the establishment of the Dubai Association Centre.
GainingEdge Executive Chairman, Gary Grimmer, said that Steen Jakobsen’s service in the role will benefit both GainingEdge and the industry.
“We work very hard to help our clients to be more successful, but we are also focused on bringing a positive contribution to the growth and advancement of the international business events industry as a whole”, Gary Grimmer said.
“Steen brings enormous business and communications acumen to our company, and a strong strategic vision in areas like destination development, sales and marketing, product innovation and event management. He also brings a clear vision, leadership skills and broad networks that will help us to power global destination and association communities. Steen knows how to work with both public and private stakeholders to build the economic and societal impact of meetings and events.”
For the past couple of years, Steen Jakobsen served as CFO of the Danish biopharmaceutical company Tetra Pharm Technologies, but said that he was excited to be joining GainingEdge and returning to the global tourism and business events arena.
“This industry has been my professional home for many years,” Steen Jokobsen said. “I look forward to applying the knowledge, strategic insights, and strong relationships I’ve built along the way to contribute to the significant economic growth, innovation, and global collaboration the industry is driving.”
“GainingEdge is a global leader in tourism and business events consulting, renowned for helping organisations tackle their most complex strategic challenges through innovative thinking and a collaborative approach. More than anything, I look forward to working closely with GainingEdge’s talented and dedicated team of specialists to accelerate the company’s growth and to support our valued clients, both existing and future, around the world.”
Throughout his career, Steen Jakobsen has made significant contributions to the global business events community, serving on various international boards and committees. His leadership roles include serving as Board Chair of the BestCities Global Alliance and Vice President of the Board of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). In 2024, he was honoured with ICCA’s most prestigious recognition for contributions to the international meetings industry, the Moises Shuster Award.
About GainingEdge
As a global consulting firm dedicated exclusively to business events and tourism clients, GainingEdge is made up of specialists who don’t just advise the global meetings and tourism industry – they’ve lived it at the local, regional, national and global level. Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, GainingEdge has a strong on-ground presence and industry network within the key markets of Europe, Asia Pacific and North America. Since 2004, GainingEdge has advised hundreds of clients across six continents, helping them tackle industry challenges, capitalise on opportunities and achieve operational excellence.
