Australian industry association Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) has announced it will be entering Voluntary Administration after 50 years of service. The country’s longest-standing industry body for the events sector announced it will cease operations, and an administrator has been appointed. The announcement comes in the MEA’s 50th anniversary year. The MEA National Conference, due to be held in June, will not now go ahead. “It is with great sadness and immense pride that we share this news,” said Vanessa Green, chair of MEA. “MEA has been a cornerstone of the Australian events industry for half a century. We close this chapter with gratitude, for the extraordinary legacy and community we’ve built together.” In recent months, MEA had launched new education short courses and reported growing membership, alongside the MEA Awards, which will still be announced in the coming days. “We’ve been heartened by the industry’s renewed engagement, from increased ticket sales to record award entries. There’s been genuine excitement around our 50th year,” said Green. “Unfortunately, despite this support, MEA is no longer in a position to continue operating.” The consolidation of the Australian Business Events Association (ABEA), undoubtedly led some traditional supporters, including convention centres and government agencies, to redirect funding away from MEA. (The ABEA was set up in July 2023 by the Australian Association of Convention Bureaux (AACB), the Australian Convention Centre Group (ACCG), and the Event and Exhibition Industry Australia (EEAA) in an attempt to create a more powerful unifying voice for the industry. MEA remained outside that umbrella grouping. The MEA acknowledge government and corporate financial support has diminished, and while many organisations continue to offer in-kind sponsorship, the level of cash contributions required to sustain MEA’s operations had not materialised. MEA said that with rising operating costs and declining financial backing, it had simply become unsustainable. “This is not the outcome any of us wanted, but we are deeply proud of what MEA has delivered for the industry, from nurturing careers and shaping education, to building networks and recognising excellence through our national awards. The relationships, learnings and legacy of MEA will endure,” said Megan Peters, MEA Board vice-chair. The MEA Board extended heartfelt thanks to the thousands of individuals and organisations who have contributed to the association’s journey over five decades, including members, educators, volunteers, staff, sponsors, partners, and industry supporters. “To everyone who has been part of MEA we thank you,” said Green. “As we close this chapter, we do so with pride in MEA’s legacy and confidence that the events industry in Australia will continue to thrive through the passion, creativity, and professionalism of its people” she said.
ABEA Board member Matt Pearce told CMW: “ABEA and MEA were in continued discussions regarding MEA rolling into ABEA and were blindsided by them going into administration. Our thoughts are with any staff, contractors or suppliers that are financially impacted by this action today who for no fault of their own, might lose money.
“It is always sad when a well-recognised organisation goes into administration, the business events industry has been clear in its desire to have a single voice and in many ways , this is what has played out here. ABEA is growing, it has a strong and productive pipeline right across the country and is making very strong strides in getting our industry the research, recognition and policy support it deserves.
ABEA chair, Peter King and MEA chair, Vanessa Green will meet in the coming weeks to see if there is anyway ABEA can support MEA members. Our industry is strong and we must use that strength to ensure all those involved in the Business events supply chain are well represented and have a voice.”
