From the CEO
(Pictured: Linda Gaunt, MEA Chief Executive Officer)
Annual General Meeting
As part of the MEA Constitution the Annual General Meeting must rotate between the various states and territories of Australia. Planning is currently underway for MEA’s Annual General Meeting to be held in Hobart in November. Our thanks to Susan Dickson and her team at Wrest Point for agreeing to host the event. Members will be provided with specific information and the Annual Report in the very near future.
Member Elections
In the near future members will also be asked to vote in the National Council Elections. We have seven nominations for five positions therefore an election is necessary. It is very heartening to see the interest in the association is such that an election is required and I wish each candidate every success.
I also note that an election is also required for the NSW Branch, and details will be forwarded to our NSW members in the near future. This result is also very pleasing and I look forward to receiving member votes in the near future.
Y MEA
I am very pleased to announce that Virgin Blue airlines have come on board as the National Sponsor of Y MEA (Young MEA). Interest in and membership of Y MEA is growing daily with some fabulous initiatives in store for our young members into the future.
If you would like to know more about Y MEA in your state or territory please click here to be taken to a list of the contact details of the Y MEA Executive.
WHO’s WHO
A reminder to all members that it is nearing close-off time to update your member listing for Who’s Who. Once the final cut-off date has arrived we cannot accept changes, and we really would prefer not to print your incorrect details. Please spend a couple of minutes today to ensure that your company details are correct, thus providing you with the correct exposure in your industry directory.
MEA Conference 2008 – Alice Springs – Update
I am very happy to announce that we have secured the services of Roslyn McLeod, Managing Director of Tour Hosts Pty Limited and Leigh Harry, Chief Executive of Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre, to be “Wise Counsel” to the MEA National Conference 2008 to be held in Alice Springs. With the valued input from Roslyn and Leigh, as well as the expertise of our Local Host Committee and Program Committee a very professional and memorable conference is promised.
(Pictured Left: Roslyn McLeod. Pictured Right: Leigh Harry)
Many of you may now be aware that Scott Lovett our MEA 2008 Local Host Chair is leaving the Northern Territory to take up an exciting new challenge with Staging Connections in Adelaide. Scott has agreed to stay in the role as Local Host Chair and has already made huge in-roads on the work that lies ahead. Thank you Scott and we wish you well in the future.
Great Southern E-vents (GSE) have agreed to work with MEA’s Event Manager, Anna Tartakovskaia, to ensure that the MEA 2008 Conference in Alice Springs is as “green as can be”. We thank Jeremy and the team at GSE in advance for their time, and look forward to providing insight to our members in regard to “thinking and acting green”. More details to follow on the steps MEA are taking.
(Pictured: Jeremy Garling)
Thank you also to the Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre for sponsoring the “green question” in our awards program this year, this again creating vital member awareness.
2007 Young Professional Scholarships
USI has again come on board as our sponsor of MEA’s scholarship award. The seven winners from around Australia receive a return trip to the MEA Conference including accommodation and registration as well as registration to the Y MEA forum at the conference. This year we would like to see as many high quality applications as possible and ask that you assist in identifying potential young scholars in your state or territory. For more information please contact the BDO in your state or go to our website.