AUSTRALASIA – The winners of the Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) annual National Industry Awards have been announced.

As part of the annual National Conference for the meetings industry association, the awards gala dinner honoured 34 venues, suppliers and individuals in front of 650 professionals.

“We are proud to be part of this amazing group of professionals and to have the chance to see the remarkable work that is presented through the MEA Awards,” says Chief Executive Officer of MEA, Linda P Gaunt. “Congratulations to all the MEA National Award Winners and thank you for your outstanding work and commitment to the industry.”

The winners are:

• Business Development Person of the Year: Beverley Williamson AFMEA, Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Event Manager of the Year: Holly Bennett, Fed Square
• Meetings Manager of the Year: Susan Harris, Absolute Events and Marketing
• Operations Person of the Year: Trevor Powick, Exhibition Park in Canberra
• Y MEA Future Leader: Hannah Watkins, AV1
• Metropolitan Destination Marketing Organisation: Business Events Sydney
• Regional Destination Marketing Organisation: Business Events Geelong, HALL OF FAME WINNER
• Meetings and Events Management Organisation – less than 8 employees: VerveCreative Group
• Meetings and Events Management Organisation – 8 or more employees: MCI Australia, HALL OF FAME WINNER
• In-House Meetings Management Department: AIST
• Event Management Organisation: The Forum Group
• Education: Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre – NSW; RACV City Club- VIC; Crunch Events and Catering - NSW; This Space Events Studio - NSW; MCI Australia - QLD; Staging Connections – QLD
• Corporate Social Responsibility Category A (1-5 full-time employees): Song Division
• Corporate Social Responsibility Category B (6-30 full-time employees): EPICURE at ZINC
• CorporateSocial Responsibility Category C (over 30 full-time employees): JOINT WINNERS: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre; Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre
• Meeting Venue under 500 delegates: Mercure Kooindah Waters Central Coast
• Meeting Venue 500 delegates or more : Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
• Specialty Meeting Venue: Doltone House
• Specialty Event Venue: Victoria Park Function Venue
• Banqueting and Catering: Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre
• Exhibition Services: ExpoNet
• Support Services : Flight Centre Group Travel, HALL OF FAME WINNER
• Technical and Creative Production – turnover less than $5m: Scene Change Tasmania
• Technical and Creative Production – turnover more than $5m: Staging Connections – QLD
• In-House AV services: Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre
• Association or Government Meeting of the Year: Arinex for The International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Conference
• Cause Related Event of the Year: Doltone House for Biaggio Signorelli Foundation
• Public Event of the Year ( including Festivals): Fed Square for the light in Winter at Federation Square
• Exhibition of the Year: Strahan Consultants for Garden Week
• Incentive of the Year: Cievents for FCL Global Gathering
• Meetings or Events Professional of the Year: Beverley Williamson AFMEA
• Platinum Award: Exponet
• Outstanding Contribution Award: Ian Stuart AFMEA

Any conference-related news? Email sarah@mashmedia.net