The Exhibitions and Events Association of Australasia (EEAA) recently confirmed at their AGM the value of an increased focus on advocacy to achieve benefits for its membership.

In his President’s Report, Matthew Pearce said EEAA had focused on influencing the functional and design brief and in supporting the business case for 40,000sqm of exhibition floor space for the $1 billion redevelopment of Darling Harbour.  Pearce said the association was working with Infrastructure NSW on the pressing issue of business continuity for the three year construction period.

In Melbourne, the EEAA will continue to lobby the Victorian Government to invest in the expansion of exhibition facilities and step up its support for members in South Australia and Western Australia to lift the profile of the industry. 

Pearce said that while the Association would continue to deliver core programs and services to members it was equally important to continue building the profile that began 12 months ago with the appointment of a new general manager, Joyce DiMascio.

“The impact of this new focus is already yielding significant results as the profile and sphere of influence of the Association grows stronger,” said Pearce. “The strategic focus of our Leaders Forum, Conference and Awards programs and other initiatives have all begun to reflect a sharper focus on building a stronger voice for the exhibition industry.”

Pearce said the greater focus on advocacy and industry representation had been underpinned by the Board’s commitment to on-going research, in particular the EEAA Market Monitor, which will be delivered every six months.

Membership of EEAA sits at 120 Corporate Members and around 750 on the member and stakeholder database. The Association’s cash reserves were strong and would enable EEAA to continue to implement its programs, he said.

Outgoing Board member Jo Anne Kellaway, from InfoSalons, was thanked for her contribution and the international perspective she brought to the role, in particular her work in China and the Middle East.

Jim Delahunty, managing director of ExpoNet was elected to the Board, joining Domenic Genua, NSW Boating Industry Association; Bob Moore, Agility; Peter King, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre; and Peter Thorpe, Sydney Showground, Royal Agricultural Society. The other seven Board Members were not up for re-election. 

Pearce said the Board of EEAA was also strong and provided a high level cross-section of leaders representing organisers, suppliers and venues.