From the CEO - A Sad Week for the Industry
Tuesday 2 September was certainly a sad day at MEA, as we heard news of the loss of two of our own, Miles Clarke and Dawn Wells. During my nearly three years working within the business events industry I have been so very privileged to work with and learn from so many passionate, welcoming and dedicated professionals. At times I am overwhelmed by the extent of comradeship and caring that I receive. The down-side of this is when we lose one of our own. Inevitably the industry suffers and mourns this loss.
This week sadly we have farewelled two of our dedicated professionals. Their contribution to our industry will be remembered fondly and with the utmost respect. On behalf of MEA our condolences to their family, friends and fellow industry professionals and may both Miles and Dawn rest in peace.
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Vale Miles Clarke, Monday 1 September 2008
Business writer Miles Clarke lost his battle with depression on Monday 1 September 2008 after undergoing treatment in hospital recently.
Miles has been one of the most prolific writers in the business events industry for almost two decades in Australia and internationally, writing for the majority of magazines that cover this sector.
He was the editor of CIM magazine shortly after moving to Australia from South Africa and later became a freelance writer for Quorum magazine. Most recently he worked for mice.net as well as many other publications here and around the world in the business events, travel and business space.
His knowledge of the industry and passion for it was unwavering. At any media conference he could always be relied upon to ask a curly question or two, and was always honest and fair in his appraisal of venues, destinations and product.
He will be sadly missed by those who were fortunate enough to spend time in his company, and by those who read his work in whatever form and publications it appeared.
He is survived by his wife Ulli and two sons Evan and Conan.
Funeral arrangements will be advertised in The Sydney Morning Herald.
If you would like to write to the family, the address is 9 Taylor Avenue, Turramurra NSW, 2074.
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Vale Dawn Janece Wells, Tuesday 2 September 2008
There are lots of great aspects to our business events industry, not the least of which are the friends we make along the way. Over her final days her close friends shared in the bedside vigil of Dawn Wells from Marketing Partnerships with family. It’s been a tough time watching a friend and colleague of more than 30 years slip away courageously but unwillingly.
Dawn joined ACE long before it became MIAA and subsequently MEA and was a member of the NSW Committee in the early/mid 80’s and was also a driving force of the conference committee for the 1982 event held on the Gold Coast.
Dawn was a most generous industry friend and a keen supporter of the women’s network. She started her hotel career at the Intercontinental Hotel in Sydney, moving to the Southern Cross Hotel group representing the Melbourne flagship property and ultimately as Director of Sales opening the Sydney property in Bathurst Street.
In 1987 she joined Murdoch Magazines (subsequently acquired by Reed Publications) and launched M&C Asia Pacific which became a popular and well respected industry publication. Dawn seized every opportunity to support ACE and often featured our conferences and other events in the magazine – even though there was never the funds to advertise.
In 1995 she started Marketing Partnerships and represented several DMC’s in Europe, the Middle East and Mauritius and often escorted groups of Australian corporate meeting and incentives planners to IMEX and EIBTM – many of whom are members of MEA. Many of her clients attended AIME each year and it was amazing to watch her juggle their demands, organise sales appointments, client dinners in both Sydney and Melbourne (some of which were legendary) and give them equal billing on the booth. For such a small package of 4’ 9” she was a dynamo.
Dawn is survived by her son Damien Reeve, her Dad, Mother, three sisters and their families. She will be greatly missed by her many friends and colleagues in the business events industry.