Y MEA
With thanks to YMEA National Sponsor Virgin Blue
Australian Capital Territory
We welcome Daniel McAlpine, Business Development Executive, National Convention Centre Canberra who is on the National Executive Committee for Y MEA representing ACT. Daniel won the MEA/Ungerboeck Systems International ACT Young Professional Scholarship for 2007 and is currently forming a committee in ACT. We would love to hear from those interested in being involved.
Please note: The ACT Committee is currently being formed. If you are 27 years of age and under, and would like to be part of growing a dynamic group of young industry professionals through networking and personal development events please contact Amanda Petrie, Y MEA Coordinator on apetrie@mea.org.au – it’s a great way to meet people and make new contacts (and friends) within the meetings and events industry.
New South Wales
The gorgeous Crystal Bar at GPO was the perfect setting for Y MEA’s May event, with award winning journalist and author Ann-Maree Moodie as the inspirational guest speaker for the evening. She intrigued the bright, optimistic and young crowd with the idea that old fashioned work ethic mixed with resilience and creativity is the back bone to coping with the predicted recession following the longest period of economic growth in recent history. With over 70 guests in attendance, it was a resounding success with everyone walking away equipped with information to help them understand their gen x employers and colleagues and how to sustain their jobs in hard times.
All involved are eagerly awaiting the next two Y MEA events to be held in August and November. These will be focussing on networking and creativity – watch this space.
(Picture: Ann Marie Moodie)
Northern Territory
Currently there are no Y MEA updates.
Queensland
Y MEA Queensland industry panel on the Gold Coast
Topical industry issues and themes were covered when Y MEA Queensland held an interactive panel discussion with over 25 Y MEA members and guests at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday 24 July.
An impressive line up of guest speakers each provided 15 minute presentations and then joined in a panel session, with Y MEA guests having the opportunity to ask questions directly of each speaker.
Environmental Scientist, Julie Whelan from Ecosure spoke about “Green Initiatives in the Events Industry”; Suzie Jones (AFMEA), Associate Director of Sales, Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove talked about “How to successfully progress in the events industry” and Jacqui Taylor, Director, Business Tourism, Gold Coast Tourism provided an update on “Gold Coast Tourism - Where are we now?”
At the conclusion of the panel session, guests were free to network and enjoy the fine food and beverages provided by the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
MEA Queensland wishes to offer sincere thanks to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre for its kind support of this Y MEA event and to National Sponsor Virgin Blue for their ongoing support of Y MEA.
South Australia
SA Y MEA Committee
Y MEA South Australia held its first event for 2008 at the National Wine Centre on Monday 21 April.
Our first networking event aimed to introduce Y MEA’s goals for the year, discuss issues which effect young people in our industry and to help members get to know one another.
The evening was officially opened by Grant Piggott, South Australian Chair of MEA and the South Australian Young Industry Professional Scholarship winner, Joshua Gronow.
Morris Mannella represented our National Sponsor, Virgin Blue and gave insight to his own career development and why Virgin Blue chooses to support Y MEA.
We received very positive feedback from all who attended. 90% of attendees reported that they found practising their networking skills with others their own age was a lot easier and most people made at least 4 new contacts as well as further developing the relationships with people they have previously met.
The second Y MEA function for 2008 was an insightful tour of the Adelaide Airport by national Y MEA sponsor Virgin Blue.
Morris Manella, SA Industry Account Manager and Garry Small, Operations Manager, Guest Services for Virgin Blue revealed to us how they landed their positions within the company and the important qualities Virgin Blue look for when hiring new staff. We were given a great insight into the unique and innovative business model of Virgin Blue and even given a sneak peak of the new V-Australia campaign, but are sworn to secrecy until its official launch later this year. The Group discussed Virgin Blue’s recent change from an economy airline to catering for the corporate market with their new Premium Economy Class, Velocity Rewards card and the Virgin Blue Lounge.
Wearing fashionable fluoro vests with light reflecting strips, the group was then escorted into the baggage handling area where we were shown the labour some task of loading and unloading a Boeing 737 aircraft. With group in tow, Morris and Garry taxied the crowd onto the tarmac to view an aircraft arrival whilst explaining the roles of various staff members to successfully disembark an aircraft. A chilly night was finished with a selection of beverages and nibbles in the Coopers Bar at the Adelaide airport departures lounge.
Tasmania
Currently there are no Y MEA updates.
Please note: The TAS Committee is currently being formed. If you are 27 years of age and under and would like to be part of growing a dynamic group of young industry professionals through networking and personal development events please contact Amanda Petrie, Y MEA Coordinator on apetrie@mea.org.au – it’s a great way to meet people and make new contacts (and friends) within the meetings and events industry.
Victoria
Y MEA @ Alumbra 19 June 2008 - Even the weather couldn’t deter people from Y MEA Melbourne’s 3rd event. The night went off without a hitch at the beautiful Alumbra, with great food, atmosphere and lots of new people to meet!
Alumbra provided an inviting, warm environment, with “flames” screened on the walls and beautifully lit furniture creating a relaxed night to meet lots of young Events Industry professionals.
Y MEA were very fortunate to have two great speakers for the night, Jacqui Muir of the Conference Manager and Joanne Camilleri of Solution Red. Jacqui and Joanne spoke of the challenges of being young in the Events Industry and gave fantastic advice to help us hopefully be as successful as they are.
The Y MEA committee would like to thank Alumbra, for hosting such a successful evening. Special thanks go to Jacqui Muir and Joanne Camilleri for their support of Y MEA.
Watch out for the next Y MEA night on 4 September 2008.
Western Australia
The stunning Gershwins Dining Room within the Hyatt Regency Perth hosted a selection of the finest local wines during a Y MEA Wine Appreciation event on Wednesday 23 July. Over 55 discerning Y MEA members developed their palette as they tasted the crème de la crème of Western Australian wines thanks to event sponsors Fraser Gallop Estate, Willespie, Jane Brooke and Olde Eastbrook.
Julian Young, Training Manager at the Australian Hotels Association walked our attendees through a tasting lesson of Chardonnays to Semillons, from Cabernets to Sparkling, including helpful tidbits of matching menu choices to the right wine. After wine tasting, Y MEA attendees were treated to delicious canapés thanks to the team at Gershwins and of course stunning wines from our generous sponsors.
Tasting notes included, members left Gershwins as wine connoisseurs ready to help their clients with finding the perfect local wine for their next event! One lucky Y MEA even took away an accommodation package thanks to our lucky door prize sponsor the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle!
If you enjoyed this sold out event, or didn’t get the chance to attend, don’t miss the next Y MEA WA event – A Career Development Breakfast for Future Industry Leaders at Acqua Viva on the Swan.
With thanks to:
Career Development for Future Leaders
Wednesday 27 August 2008
Get prepared to plan your career thanks to the Y MEA WA Breakfast on Wednesday 27 August, featuring a special guest panel of executive level industry members. Get to know your fellow young Y MEA’s (27 years & under) over a delicious continental breakfast as our panel motivates you to kick start your career planning and get you thinking about YOU and your future!
Guided by a Y MEA facilitator our panel will include direction on planning your career development and progression, plotting your career path, selling YOU in the meetings & events industry, plus real life stories on how our panelists reached their career goals.
With thanks to our Venue Sponsor Acqua Viva on the Swan, Click Here to register now or contact wa@mea.org.au for further information.