From the CEO
(Pictured: Linda Gaunt, MEA Chief Executive Officer)
Happy February to our valued members.
MEA has started off the year with a number of activities and events Australia-wide and we are certainly ensuring a good “connect” with all sectors of our membership.
Governance
The first meeting of the new MEA Board of Directors for 2008 has taken place, with new Chair Rhona Walker talking the helm and leading discussions on:
Other MEA Board Directors are; Ruth Lilian, Michael Siebert; Phil Holmes and Simon Baggs were present.
MEA Appoints National Training Manager
I am delighted to announce the appointment of Micaela De Rossi as the MEA National Education and Training Manager. This senior management role is to ensure that MEA’s registered training organisation remains compliant with government standards, that the quality of our training products is maintained and grows and that all states are provided with leadership whilst planning and implementing education and training programs. Micaela will also ensure that MEA markets the benefits of education and training to our membership and beyond, to assist with the current industry skills shortage. Micaela commences on February 18 and brings to MEA an exceptionally strong education and training background, coupled with the eagerness and enthusiasm required to grow our industry education and training operations into the future. Welcome Micaela!!!
MEA Board Director, Ruth Lilian receives prestigious OAM in the Australia Day Honours
Congratulations to MEA’s Vice Chair Ruth Lilian who was awarded an OAM in the Australia Day Honours for service to the community, particularly through event management, administrative roles in medical professional bodies and a range of Jewish organisations. For those of you that know Ruth you would know how deserving this honour is and we offer her our most sincere congratulations.
Organising Meetings – An Essential Learning Guide – undergoes major upgrade
Since 2001 MEA has been running its “signature” training program “Organising Meetings – An Essential Learning Guide”. This guide produced largely by our valued members for the industry is a practical resource for those that wish to undertake a career in, or develop a greater understanding of, the meetings and events industry.
We are currently in the process of collecting research for the upgrade. Past stakeholders will be contacted to work with our survey instruments as well as selected industry practitioners Australia-wide.
If you would like to participate in helping us achieve our goal, being an upgraded and concise learning tool please contact our project officer Kate Duldig on (02) 9929 5400 or via email kduldig@mea.org.au for further information.
Who’s Who to be launched at AIME
The meetings industry “bible” Who’s Who will be launched at AIME this year. Stay tuned for a highly professional, information packed and colourful publication that is sure to impress. In reading Who’s Who please remember that all information provided was correct at the time it went to print, unless of course members were unable to respond to the many prompts to update.
Will you be at AIME – Would you like to hear about MEA’s new National Supporters and about our Corporate Training initiatives?
We invite you to attend our press conferences being held on both Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 to hear more about your industry association and the exciting initiatives we are undertaking.
Welcome to the following MEA New Members
We offer a warm welcome to the following MEA new members and encourage them to fully use their membership to receive maximum benefit:
Below is the list new members since beginning of November, listed in alphabetical order and state:
MEA Conference 2008 – Program
The MEA Conference Program 2008 has now been finalised and members will be able to view a complete copy on-line in the very near future. I take this opportunity to thank Lynn Fairbrass as Program Chair as well as: Anna Tartakovskaia; Scott Lovett; Vivienne McCabe; Megan Miller; Brad Foster; Susan Twigden; Donna Kessler; Caroline Jones; Jacqui Muir; Jessica Stancombe; Rory Campbell; and Dijanna Ratajkoski, and also Roslyn McLeod and Leigh Harry in their roles as Wise Council.
The program has been well thought out, takes into consideration much feedback from MEA 07 and we believe has something for everyone, be it our small or large member organisations, and across all sectors. We look forward to seeing you in Alice Springs very soon!
MEA Conference Registration Brochure
As we are running a conference with “green attributes” we will not be printing a glossy registration brochure this year. The registration brochure will be professionally designed, highlighting the wonderful destination, program and sponsors, and available for you on-line. You will receive a conference handbook at the conference.
MEA Conference Delegates support green initiatives
As MEA 08 Alice Springs Conference registrations are received it is wonderful to note that a good percentage of delegates are choosing to pay the additional charge to offset their carbon emissions. Whilst the choice to do so is left up to the delegate, and no public recognition will be given, it is heartening so many of our community practice what they preach.
MEA 2007 Award submissions now closed
The 2007 Meetings & Events Industry Awards submissions closed on 30 January at 4pm.
Being an award finalist or winner improves your reputation within the industry and also your current and prospective clients and gives you an invaluable winning edge. There are many and varied ways in which finalists and winners can be promoted – from media promotion to exclusive winner logos for marketing material.
The Meetings & Events Industry Awards are the premier accolade of best industry practice and outstanding performance in the meetings & events industry. As well as providing personal and business-specific reward, the awards aim to continue to raise the overall standard of practice within the industry.
The 2007 Awards recognises activities, responses and outcomes relating to the financial year 1 July 06 to 30 June 07.
If you have missed out on entering this year, don’t miss out next year! Go to http://www.meetingsevents.com.au/awards/ for details on the process and how to enter and watch for the prompts to enter for the 2008 Awards.
With thanks to our 2007 Meetings & Events Awards Sponsors:
MEA-Assist: 2008 Victorian Student Assistance Fund
I am pleased to announce that MEA Victoria, due to the enormous success of our recent Annual Auction additional funds, are available to award to students experiencing financial hardship.
Applications from students attending a Victorian member institute are open for the 2008 MEA Victoria Student Assistance Fund Program to provide full-time students assistance with course related expenses (i.e. purchase of text books, materials or uniforms up to a maximum of $500).
For full details and a copy of the application form please contact MEA Victoria on 03 9329 5716 or email vic@mea.org.au. Applications close 8 February 2008.
VALE
It is with an enormous degree of sadness that we note the passing of David Gool, one of our industry practitioners known and respected by many, a special tribute to David as follows:
David was a cherished personal friend, as well as an outstanding professional colleague. He worked with suppliers that he enjoyed working with, and I was lucky enough to be counted amongst those. Always the perfectionist, if somewhat demanding at times, you always knew you had to get it right, or suffer the consequences, but you also knew that there would be much laughter amongst the tears!
He made many friends in our industry, and was revered amongst his peers for his "tell it like it is'' approach and unique take on how to make events work, and was never afraid to look at things from a different perspective to get the right result.
David will be sorely missed by all that counted him as a colleague and a friend, but for me, his saying of "my tail is swishing" still instils fear in my heart, but always remind me of how much I will miss him.
Jenny Williams, Director of Sales, Shangri-La Hotel Sydney
- AbsoluteEdge, NSW
- Adrenalin, NSW
- Art Gallery of NSW
- Associated Events, NSW
- AV Express, NSW
- Botanic Gardens Restaurant. NSW
- Bower Bird Information Services, NSW
- Carla Naisbitt, NSW
- Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific, NSW
- Crowne Plaza Norwest, NSW
- Eventscape, NSW
- G1 Productions, NSW
- Gosford City Council, NSW
- Grand Mercure Kiama Blue, NSW
- image3D, NSW
- Italian Village, NSW
- James Minogue, NSW
- Meeting Management, NSW
- Mercure Hotel Parramatta, NSW
- MP Travel Pty Ltd, NSW
- Novotel Pacific Bay Resort, NSW
- Venueplan, NSW
- Yvette Veselic, NSW
- Absolute Alice, NT
- Fusion Displays & Graphics Pty Ltd, NT
- Territory Wildlife Park, NT
- Capricorn Tourism, QLD
- Conference Online Queensland, QLD
- Hunt&Palmer Pty Ltd, QLD
- Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, QLD
- Queensland Rugby Club, QLD
- Vaiva Kubilius, SA
- AGL, VIC
- Australian & New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS), VIC
- Awesome Volunteers, VIC
- Diversified Exhibitions Australia, VIC
- Elegant Occasions, VIC
- Exhibition Hire Service, VIC
- Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd, VIC
- Kate Fouracre, VIC
- Libby Parker, VIC
- Lidia Richards, VIC
- Michelle Zaniewski, VIC
- Novotel Forest Resort Creswick, VIC
- Virgin Blue Airlines, VIC
- Vision 2020 Australia, VIC
- Wodonga Institute of TAFE, BCSI Hospitality & Tourism, VIC
- Citigate Perth, WA
- City of Wanneroo, WA
- Phenomenon Event Services, WA
- National and state branch financials
- MEA’s involvement with BECA (the Business Events Council of Australia)
- Advocacy issues
- Management of SIGs portfolios
- The National Conference 08 and 09
- Membership benefits, retention and growth
- Strategic initiatives