Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) has launched its 2021-2022 Awards Program, which has an extended qualifying period of 24 months to recognise outstanding work of individuals and businesses in the delivery of events during both 2021 and 2022 can be recognised.
For more than 30 years, MEA’s Awards Program has celebrated the best of the greater Australian events industry and will honour the industry’s achievements of the past two years via State and National Award presentations in 2023.
The award categories in this year’s program have been re-shaped to encourage and recognise exceptional work, creativity and outcomes for events held within Australia and are open to both members and non-members of MEA.
The awards submission portal is now open for a total of 38 awards across 9 categories, including three brand-new Awards: Virtual Event of the Year, Skilling Program of the Year and Event Educator of the Year.
The addition of a discrete award for virtual events was borne of the high-number of fully online events carried out during the past two years, while the education-focused criteria awards recognise the trainers and academics charged with teaching the future workforce of our industry, as well as the programs that have been developed to mitigate the real and immediate skills shortage the workforce is experiencing.
Among the other awards in this year’s line-up, the highly regarded Outstanding Contribution Award which honours the achievements of an individual who has led discussion, supported change and who continues to nurture the industry’s future leaders. MEA invites members to nominate suitable candidates for this accolade – which will be presented alongside the National Awards at the gala dinner following MEA’s annual conference Evolve 2023, on the evening of 8 June.
“For one’s performance to be considered as best in industry after critical peer review is an empowering victory. That’s the beauty of the MEA Awards. It’s not a popularity contest. A rigorous assessment process underwritten by evidence- based claim evaluated by industry practitioners means that any win is a deserved and authentic one,” MEA chief executive officer Peter McDonald said.
“State-based awards events will be held around the country throughout April and May 2023. State winners become the national finalists for the respective category, with the prospect of being presented the national trophy at the Awards Dinner on the Gold Coast on 8 June.”
Submissions for the Awards will close 28 February 2023 at 11:59pm AEDT.
New MEA Board of Directors announced
In other MEA news, the organisation has announced the results of its 2022 Board Director Ballot, shared at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) this week.
Valid nominations were received from seven candidates whose profiles and policy statements were presented to voting eligible MEA members. Five positions were contested following resignation since the last election or as part of this election process by Deputy Chair Beverley Williamson; Directors Suzana Bishop, Tina Eggers, and Vicky Troptsidis; and Matthew Traynor who was a casual appointment by the Board in February.
The ballot results are as follows:
Alicia Thomas, Royal International Convention Centre
Emma McDowell, Saxton Speakers Bureau
Vanessa Green, Cliftons
Thomas Staunton, SoldOut Events
Mike Schrafft, VMS Event & Conference Logistics
A meeting of the new Board was held after the AGM, at which the offices of Chair, Deputy Chair, Treasurer and Company Secretary were determined. These role bearers moving forward are:
Chair: Michael Firman, Harry the hirer
Deputy Chair: Megan Peters, Lateral Event Management
Treasurer: Paul Davison, Sydney Masonic Centre
Company Secretary: Peter McDonald, Meetings & Events Australia
Jess Glass of The University of Queensland will also continue on the MEA Board for a third year ensuring a full complement of nine Directors as required by the Constitution.
Michael Firman, MEA’s Chairman for a second consecutive year said,
“It’s already exciting to see the enthusiasm of the new Directors and I welcome their appointment to the Board. Each of them brings a unique perspective and experience that will help to deliver the important programs our sector needs as we seek to promote and develop the meetings and events industry,” MEA chairman Michael Firman said.
“I’m also proud to be re-elected as Chair, it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to collaborate with industry and progress the important work MEA does to support its continued recovery. The Board and I will be working hard to ensure MEA makes a positive impact on the recovery of our sector, as we strive to create a legacy of long-term sustainability and growth.”
