Mackay breaks attendance record with two events by Queensland’s Resource Industry Network

Mackay breaks attendance record with two events by Queensland’s Resource Industry Network

Queensland’s Resource Industry Network (RIN) has successfully staged two events at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre (MECC), both of which attracted record attendances.

Held last month, the organisation’s Safety Conference attracted about 300 delegates, with a large number coming from the Queensland mining equipment, technology and services (METS) and resources sector.

RIN is the peak industry association representing companies actively engaged in the resources sector and those allied to it. For the last five years, the RIN Safety Conference has been staged at the MECC, which is the largest purpose-built convention centre between Brisbane and Cairns.

It boasts multiple venues with capacity for up to 1,500 delegates, currently reduced to follow Queensland government COVID guidelines.

With the aim of assisting businesses to create safe work environments, the conference theme was ‘Safety Evolution: From compliance to ‘my’ safety ownership’.

The program boasted an impressive line-up of leading industry experts from the health and legal sectors which included barrister John Tate, paediatric social worker Liz Crowe, psychologist Naomi Armitage and medical practitioner Dr Jenny Brockis.

Robert Djukic, chief operating officer of resources, safety and health at Queensland’s Department of Natural Resources, Mining and Energy, also featured as a presenter, as well as additional breakout session speakers.

The conference followed on from Resource Industry Network’s highly successful 2021 International Women’s Day luncheon recently staged at the MECC, drawing 530 guests from a range of industries throughout the Mackay Region, and representing the largest luncheon event staged at the MECC since the COVID pandemic commenced.

All guests were seated in a COVID-safe, socially-distanced dining format at the convention centre, made possible due to the extensive function space that was available.

Guest speakers signal their support for women at the RIN International Women’s Day lunch at the MECC

Sonia Andersen, events and projects manager at RIN, said: “We’ve been delighted to be able to stage these events in Mackay this year.

“The strong attendances speak volumes about how the METS and resources sector participants are keen to return to face-to-face contact with their industry colleagues, while also gaining insights into the latest safety protocols.

“It also sends an impressive message about how a regional venue like the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre has been able to successfully provide a COVID-safe environment for such large group gatherings.”

Resource Industry Network will return to the MECC again in May for its highly-anticipated 2021 RIN Awards Gala Dinner, with the annual Professional Development Conference to follow in October, which is expected to attract over 250 delegates.

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