 
Fifteen months in the planning and within a few short days it is all over. We as members of the meetings and events industry know all about this. You plan for so long, put all your efforts into the tasks at hand, ensure the best for the stakeholders, and then let out a big sigh of relief that it went off as you had hoped it might and that most of the clients or delegates are happy.
Well, it was no different in planning the 2007 MEA Conference. Everyone put an enormous effort into creating and achieving the best that was possible in the very special city of Hobart.
We are grateful to everyone who took time to fill in the conference evaluation forms so we could learn what it was you liked or disliked.
For those of you who gave comments, thank you. These will definitely be taken on board.
In evaluating the conference, it was gratifying to read statements such as –
“It was the best ever; excellent a great effort; can’t wait for the next one; the program was so professional, I learnt so much; fantastic, inspiring, great presenters; the quality was there; caliber of speakers was fantastic; met so many new people; had the opportunity to visit Tasmania which I hadn’t seen before; great networking, as a first-timer I loved meeting others who were attending their first conference; the Club MEA’s were great each evening; sitting down for lunches were a bonus; the highlights of the conference were Bernard Salt, Peter Baines, Yossi Ginsberg, Leo Schofield, David Penglase and the best of all our MC – Shelley Craft.”
Shelley appears to have been the shining star. She was bubbly, bright, amazingly witty, and her speakers’ summaries were extremely well presented.
I think we all realise that shopping for sponsorship funds is getting harder and harder and it is true to say that this may well be the case if we hold our MEA conference in a small region or city. The conference budget is dependent on our sponsorship efforts and this dictates how much we can do without raising the registration fees. Thank you to the sponsorship family who contributed in both large and small ways. All contributions were very much appreciated.
Please remember that each year as the conference is announced, the members in that state have the opportunity to put up their hands and be involved. Our two committees donated more than a year of time and effort to ensure that for the 2007 MEA National Conference, when we presented: An Island in a Sea of Change, in Hobart Tasmania, we achieved our mission in providing a more professional and varied program, and most of all working within our budget constraints.
I had the pleasure to work with some of the most professional people within our industry – from the local organising committee to the program committee and a very talented group of people in the MEA office, including our conference manager for the 2007 meeting, Kathie McGrath.
Thank you MEA for the opportunity to chair the 2007 conference and we will all look forward to the 2008 destination of Alice Springs.
I am writing this from my comfy seat on the Eurostar on my way to Brussels from the UK. Have not travelled through the tunnel yet (or Channel as the Poms have nicknamed it), but am appreciating what a remarkable feat of engineering it actually is – and even more remarkable that the French and English managed to reach an agreement on the design, where it should be built and, after digging commenced from either end, that they eventually met in the middle! Was good to catch up with colleagues from around Australia at the annual IMEX trade show in Frankfurt so soon after we all gathered in Hobart for the MEA annual conference. Although the Australian Pavilion at IMEX was small in comparison to some destinations, we made our presence known (as we Aussies are prone to do).
Headlining the act was the launch of Conventions Australia and IMEX certainly provided the perfect launching pad for this. A presentation and lunch was held on the first day of the show and attracted in excess of 60 media and global meeting planners and two lucky guests won a Qantas business class return ticket to Australia to visit at least two of the Conventions Australia partners.
Considering that Conventions Australia is an alliance between several convention centres and bureaux, fierce competitors at the best of times, it is testament to the industry’s resolve to create a plan to target the international congress business that this initiative ever saw the light of day. We await with interest as to what happens next as Conventions Australia is a three year strategy and more importantly, how Tourism Australia’s Business Events Unit plans to dovetail and support this initiative.
At the MEA Conference in Hobart the key highlights for me were: introducing our Young Professional and Student Scholarship winners to everyone at the Opening Ceremony; meeting the Governor of Tasmania who very kindly hosted a reception and opened up his home (exquisite craftsmanship and built by some of Australia’s illustrious convicts); participating in the inaugural YMEA Forum which was voted an absolute winner; chairing a board meeting where we passed a resolution to develop a green policy for our members; and being interviewed on Hobart radio station 101 HO-FM about our conference and our industry. There were many others of course: the great line-up of speakers and the fabulous social events culminating in the Gala Awards night, the atmosphere at which at times was electric.
With three industry exhibitions on the calendar in the next couple of months (AEE in Sydney in May and RSVP in Melbourne in May and Sydney in July) I look forward to catching up with many of our members who no doubt will be supporting these events. MEA will also have a strong presence at all these shows and will be providing an innovative and quality professional development program, so look out for that and register your interest. See you soon.
The following member has recently attained Accredited Meetings Manager status (AMM):
Kim Hart ACQ Conference + Event Management
Nadine Giatras Australasian Society for HIV Medicine
Susan Harris Absolute Events & Marketing
(AiMM):
Caitlin Williams IPWEA NSW
Sarah Siebert Massey University, New Zealand
The following members have recently attained MEA Associate-Fellow status (AFMEA):
Trevor Connell EventPix
Louise Romero Directions
Amanda Beltran Murrays Travel - VIC
Melanie Williamson Conrad Jupiters
Angela Heyward Conrad Jupiters
At MEA, we are actively reviewing our member benefits at all times, and involving our members in as many opportunities to drive business as possible. Our membership attrition level is good, and we are now focusing on a membership drive for specific areas of membership to provide a good mix of both “buyers and sellers” at our Australia-wide networking and professional development events.
It has been a considerable four years since we have had to review our membership fees and this has now occurred. The fees have gone up a very modest amount in each category, to allow for some of our member benefits to be reviewed, updated and enhanced. This has included the ability of our website, the content of MEA’s Essentials program, and the quality of product and service that we provide to you.
MEA supports industry trade shows
MEA is actively involved in a number of industry trade shows this year, and encourages members to participate in these events. The business events sector thrives on its networks and business to business relationships and exhibitions are a highly effective vehicle to promote your business and be seen. It is also an effective way for meetings and event managers, and industry at large, to catch up with the latest products, venues and experiences.
At AIME 2007 held in Melbourne in February, MEA’s booth was located in a high traffic area of the exhibition which included more than 850 exhibitors from 50 countries. It was a great opportunity to catch up with both members and non members, and provide them with information on accreditation, recognition, upcoming professional development, membership and other services we offer. We also managed a highly successful professional development seminar on Venue Selection and Negotiation which attracted more than 100 attendees.
MEA also had a strong presence at the Australian Events Expo held in Sydney in May and managed the two-day seminar program which featured 12 one-hour sessions covering a host of relevant industry topics presented by experienced MEA members covering areas such as Events for Relationship Building; An Introduction to Staging and Lighting; Choosing the Right Destination for your Event, and many more. The seminars attended by show visitors provided great information and introduced attendees to the training programs offered nationally by MEA.
MEA exhibited at the inaugural RSVP Melbourne show in May and also ran a seminar at the show for In-House Meeting Planners. We will also have a presence at the RSVP Sydney show coming up on July 17 and 18 at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre.
With more than 300 exhibitors showcasing innovative products and services the show will provide a wealth of brand new ideas for corporate event and party organisers to see and experience. MEA will also host an In-House Meeting Planner forum at the show.
Attendance to RSVP Sydney is free for event organisers. Come and visit the MEA booth to find out how to get more involved in your association – and for non members, the benefits of joining the largest national network of individuals and businesses working in the business events industry.
Are you looking for a shortcut to move an employee or yourself along the industry career path? Look no further! The MEA Intensive Training Residential Program, in Sydney from December 3-6, is designed for those who have between one and two years’ meetings industry work experience and who need an intensive training experience to move them further along that elusive path. This is a major professional development opportunity for meetings managers and sales and marketing personnel working within the industry – and it happens only once per year! The program has only limited spaces available due to the intensive workshop format, so now is the time to act!
Eighteen industry high-achievers have been secured as presenters. They are ready and willing to answer questions during their presentations to ensure that each student receives useful information relating to their own circumstances – a major benefit of the ‘small group’ philosophy that is held by this annual program. The program is structured for the two main career paths within the industry - sales and marketing and meetings management. Sales and marketing personnel will be given the option to attend all 3.5 days or only one of the days of the program (day three). This single day will cover planning, selling, marketing and promotion within the industry.
 The program is intensive and highly participative, involving individual work, group work and lectures from industry specialists. During this intensive program the student will: meet and work with other meetings industry professionals in a purpose- built residential learning environment. For meetings managers: learn how to effectively manage meetings and events, with a practical framework that can be applied in many day-to-day situations. Contact Fiona Kelly for further information on (02) 9929 5400 or fkelly@mea.org.au.
Are you ready for the challenge? Are you ready for the rewards? Are you ready for a chance to prove your expertise? It’s time to starting planning for your entry into the Meetings & Events Industry Awards! Continuing on from the success of the 2006 Meetings & Events Industry Awards – which received a record number of submissions – the 2007 awards will open for submissions from all MEA members from July 1, 2007!
The Meeting and Events Industry Awards are the premier accolade of the best industry management practice and outstanding performance in the Australian Meetings and Events Industry. The 2007 Awards will recognise activities, responses and outcomes relating to the financial year July 1, 06 to June 30, 07. The Awards program rewards excellence on both state and national levels . Make this year YOUR year - do not miss out on this unique opportunity to benchmark against other industry professionals, and to gain the recognition you deserve.
It’s easy, convenient, rewarding – and it’s all on-line!
For more information please go to www.meetingsevents.com.au/awards/ or call Lucy Pantling in the MEA National Office on (02) 9929 5400.
<< Top
|