Review of Past MEA Events

New South Wales

Starship Harbour Cruise

MEA NSW branch cruised into 2008 with a January ClubMEA aboard the new Sydney harbour vessel, Starship. This sleek, contemporary boat was host to over 160 members and guests keen to start another year of networking. It was great to have National Board members, Ruth Lilian OAM, AMM and Simon Baggs (Lateral Marketing & Management) on board as well as MEA’s CEO Linda Gaunt who presented Meryl Whetton from Directions with her AMM pin for attaining Accredited Meetings Manager status.

(Pictured Left: MEA’s CEO Linda Gaunt and Starship’s Geraldine Stuart, Pictured Centre: The Starship, Pictured Right:Scott Qin, Linda Gaunt, Kate Duldig, Ruth Lillian, Jeremy Garling and Tanya Taylor) Left and right photo courtesy of EventPix, centre photo supplied by Starship Sydney.

NSW Awards Night - "A Night of Motion & Emotion"

One of the highlights of the NSW branch was the Awards Night held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre. The event attracted over 300 guests who enjoyed "A Night of Motion & Emotion" as they moved from pre dinner drinks to the Awards Ceremony in the Bayside Auditorium (pictured left)featuring Explosive Minds as dynamic MCs, and then to the Parkside Ballroom for a sumptuous dinner and entertainment from Waiters on Tap, rhythmic dancers from Pero Entertainment (pictured right) and dance music from Atomic. Photos are courtesy of EventPix.

Also in March a breakfast co-hosted by O2 Speakers and Sydney Marriott Hotel featuring Troy Hazard as guest speaker attracted an excellent early morning crowd and a YMEA event featuring presenter Bessie Bardot at the Watershed at Darling Harbour proved very popular with our Y Gen members.

Northern Territory

Professional Development Day in Darwin 26 March

15 delegates from Darwin enjoyed a full day of Professional Development, including the first session conducted by Jennifer Jefferies "Crack the Balance Myth" and addressing the secrets of work/life balance for improved productivity. Session 2 was presented by Elizabeth Rich on "Meetings Industry Turning Green". Elizabeth provided an overview of the "greening of the meetings industry" and led a workshop discussion on what steps can and are being taken by venues, event organisers and other suppliers.

Queensland

MEA Qld Inaugural Golf Challenge, Awards, Dinner & Auction

The inaugural MEA Qld Golf Challenge was held at The Palms Sanctuary Cove on Saturday 15 March and attracted a host of sponsors including:

• Conrad Jupiters
• Execugifts
• Exhibition Hire
• QX Australia
• Staging Connections
• Warner Village Theme Parks
• The WRX Experience
• Staging Rentals & Construction Services
• Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove

Over 80 players enjoyed perfect conditions on the Gold Coast to play 18 holes of golf in teams of 4. The winning team were presented with gift cerificates from The WRX Experience, valued at $1,300. Photos are courtesy of Event Photos Sport & Event Photograhy.

Following the Golf Challenge, the winners and finalists of the Qld Meetings & Events Industry Awards were announced at the Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove. The dinner included an auction, with proceeds going to Make A Wish Australia.

"Meetings Industry Turning Green"

This seminar was conducted in Cairns in March. Elizabeth Rich provided an overview of the "greening of the meetings industry" and led a workshop discussion on what steps can and are being taken by venues, event organisers and other suppliers. John McIntyre, the Director of Destination Development with Tourism Tropical North Queensland, and co-founder of the Planet Safe program, also joined the discussion and workshop.

Victoria

On the Trail of the Elephants!

On Wednesday 30 January 2008, Guests at the first ClubMEA Victoria event for the year, experienced a wondrous walk through tiger territory to the elephant sanctuary known as the Trail of the Elephant, where drinks were served up upon arrival by smiling waiters.

Animals and their keepers and guests mingled together, finding out a bit more about each other, and a sumptuous array of delicacies were consumed with great delight. “Compliments to the chef” were uttered continuously around the Bong Su room. Plenty of catching up, after the festive season, was had by all!

2008 is off to a great start with a great turnout and amazing feedback for our first ClubMEA of the year.

Special thanks to our sponsors Melbourne Zoo, Delaware North and Audio Visual Dynamics.

IHMP Breakfast @ Flemington – The Event Centre

In House Meeting Planners started the morning in fine style at Flemington on 8 February with a delicious breakfast. This breakfast was a great opportunity for meetings, conference and event organizers who work with Corporations, Associations or Government to network with people who are in a similar positions.

Wacky Entertainment encouraged guests to interact by challenging each table to create a free-standing racehorse complete with form guide. The result was a truly amazing field of winners.

Thank you to our breakfast sponsors Flemington – The Event Centre, Audio Visual Dynamics and Wacky Entertainment.

YMEA – A night on the green!

YMEA held its second event in Victoria on Thursday 6 March 2008. The successful event was held at The Port Melbourne Bowling Club. Our young industry professionals were entertained and tutored in the fine art of bowls while they formed new business relationships in a friendly and relaxed environment.

Special thanks to Peter Rowland Catering for sponsoring a delicious BBQ which more than satisfied our hungry bowlers.

The girls from Epicure Catering bowled the field with their take on a bowling uniform to win the prize for best dressed. The girls won a two hour limousine ride sponsored by Murrays Transport.

MEA is pleased to acknowledge Virgin Blue as YMEA National Sponsor.

ClubMEA @ NGVA

On Wednesday 19 March the Victoria Branch was privileged to enjoy an evening of food, wine and art at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. During the function guests had the amazing opportunity to view the exhibition of the bold and colourful masterpieces of the late Sidney Nolan – arguably Australia’s most significant and internationally acclaimed artist. Special thanks to our sponsors Peter Rowland Catering and Audio Visual Dynamics.

(Pictured l-r: Jacqui Muir, Amanda Beltran, Joanne Camilleri, David Bosse).