From the CEO
(Pictured: Linda Gaunt, MEA Chief Executive Officer)
Call for Nominations
MEA 2007 Annual Elections.
MEA will shortly be holding its annual elections and all voting members will soon receive a "Call for Nominations" notice by email.
If you would like to take a more active role at either Branch or National level you should seriously consider putting a nomination forward. Serving on the Branch Committee or National Council is both an honour and a commitment and can be very rewarding. It provides an opportunity to become involved in the future of your Association.
We look forward to receiving your nomination.
MEA Staffing
I am pleased to announce a number of staffing additions to MEA to ensure we have the tools necessary to grow our Association into the future, as follows:
Lisa Philps has enthusiastically commenced her role as MEA WA, ACT & TAS Branch Development Officer;
Amanda Petrie the MEA NSW Event Coordinator will be undertaking the coordination of YMEA nationally in addition to her NSW role;
Anna Tartakovskaia has commenced in her role as MEA Event Manager;
Elisabeth Mirenzi has commenced as part-time MEA Accounts Clerk;
Helen Nash has commenced as the MEA SA Branch Development Officer. Please note that MEA SA has also moved to new premises and the address is as follows:
16 Stirling Street
Thebarton SA 5081
Ph: 08 8125 2280
Felicity O'Meara has settled successfully into her role as MEA Victoria Administration Assistant.
Young MEA - YMEA
YMEA is an initiative of MEA for our young professionals working within the industry. To be eligible for YMEA you need to be 27 years of age or under.
YMEA will assist MEA's enthusiastic young members to begin building networks within the industry.
Amanda Petrie, as YMEA Coordinator, is interested in hearing from YMEAs who have suggestions for future events. Please CLICK HERE or contact Amanda Petrie on apetrie@mea.org.au or call 02 9929 5400.
MEA's Membership of BECA - (The Business Events Council of Australia)
MEA is represented on BECA by it's CEO, Chair of the Board, and two meetings manager representatives.
As part of BECA we are pleased to be working alongside the Association of Convention Bureaux, Australian Convention Centre Groups, Exhibition and Events Association of Australasia, and International Congress and Convention Association, to support two proactive initiatives on behalf of our membership.
These initiatives are:
- The lobbying effort for more high yield international business events - the BECA Position Paper; and
BECA’s Tourism Action Plan on Climate Change – A submission to the Australian Government.
These documents are also accessible online, in the Members Area of the MEA website.
MEA's Conference 2008 - We're Thinking Green
I am pleased to announce that Jeremy Garling of Great Southern E-vents has kindly agreed to work with MEA to assist with our awareness of "green issues" whilst planning our 2008 Conference in Alice Springs.
I thank Jeremy in advance and look forward to working with him.
MEA Awards Program Embraces Environmental Issues
New to the 2007 Meetings & Events Industry Awards is the Environmental Contribution question that recognises and encourages all to 'think green' when submitting and celebrate their innovative achievements by measuring the environmental impact of their operations without costing the Earth!
It doesn’t matter how big or small your Green contribution is, the recognition rewards how it is expressed and what operational inventions are created to look after our Earth.
Our Earth is a gigantic one and by improving it day by day we will achieve a happier planet together!
The Environmental Contribution Recognition is an optional question available with any submission for more information please visit www.meetingsevents.com.au/awards
An Article of Interest - 'Why APEC Matters'
Article by Tim Harcourt
Chief Economist
Australian Trade Commission
Sydney
Dated 28 June 2007