2 December, 2020

MEA elects new-look board, launches 2020 awards program

For the first time in its history, Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) conducted its annual general meeting virtually last week, where nine board directors were announced.

Nigel Collin (chairperson), Fed Square’s Suzana Bishop (deputy chair), Melbourne Convention Bureau’s Beverley Williamson (secretary), Harry the Hirer’s Michael Firman (treasurer), Sydney Masonic Centre’s Paul Davison (director), Solterbeck’s Belinda Doery (director), Accor’s Kirsty Forbes (director), the University of Queensland’s Jessica Glass (director), and Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s Paula Nolan (director) make up MEA’s new-look board.

At the AGM, the MEA board acknowledged the contribution of directors Kate Smith and Alana Hay, who both completed their terms; and Robyn Johnson for her tenure as CEO.

“The new board is committed to continuing to focus on the needs of our members through these challenging times, as we build and strengthen our association and industry into the future,” Collin said.

The MEA has also opened its National Awards program to Australia’s events community for 2020.

Following a review by event professionals from across the country, the association has once again reinvigorated the awards program.

Below are the major changes made to the 2020 awards:

There are a total of 40 awards up for grabs across six categories, including an event legacy award which can be entered into easily from an ‘Event of the Year’ application. Or, you can apply for it individually.
There is a new category for ‘Excellence in the Industry’.
Due to the impact from COVID-19 on resourcing, the word count has been reduced by around 40 per cent in each category to make the awards more accessible and less onerous to enter.
Award categories such as events of the year, event management, venues, and products and services now include virtual and hybrid events in the eligibility.
A new award for ‘Event Freelancer of the Year’ has been created, recognising freelancers in a variety of roles such as showcallers, producers, technicians, and autocue operators heavily involved in the delivery of virtual and hybrid events.
Bundled pricing has been introduced for members, so entrants can save 10 per cent for entering two or more categories.
An additional month has been allowed for applications, with the portal open now and closing on 1 March 2021. Applications can be submitted for events held in Australia between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020.
The state finalists in each category will be recognised, with the state winners and the national winners to be announced at one consolidated MEA National Awards event in 2021.

The award categories encompass the entire breadth of the events sector and with the incorporation of virtual and hybrid events, MEA’s National Awards program will continue to recognise the exceptional achievements, creativity and outcomes that businesses and event professionals in Australia deliver – for all event types.

The awards are open to members and non-members.

To understand all of the changes to categories, points and to assist you in entering the awards program, MEA has recorded a handy webinar which can be viewed on MEATV.

And for even more info, you can click here.

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Alana Hay Belinda Doery Beverley Williamson Jessica Glass Kate Smith Kirsty Forbes MEA MEA National Awards meetings events australia Michael Firman Nigel Collin Paul Davison Paula Nolan Robyn Johnson Suzana Bishop