New chapter Down Under as Meetings and Events Australia hits 50 and CEO steps down

Australia’s peak industry body for the meetings and events sector, Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) has announced that Peter McDonald has resigned as CEO and will be leaving the association at the end of October. “On behalf of the MEA Board, I’d like to thank Peter for his service to MEA and the industry over the last three years. During a challenging period, Peter has been a stable and trusted executive officer, ensuring we’ve been able to serve our members and the industry through a time of upheaval,” says MEA chair Vanessa Green. “Our vision is to ‘lead, empower and connect’ – Peter’s leadership has provided a platform to deliver on this mission and one that we look forward to continuing to expand upon. We have a bright future ahead, with all the board members and leadership team united in our drive to create a dynamic and engaged association for our members,” Green added. 2025 marks MEA’s 50th year of representing the Australian events industry and MEA says it will work with members and industry leaders via a survey to gather input on their future needs. “Under challenging circumstances, including the global Covid pandemic and subsequent recovery period, I leave knowing I have led and served MEA with full commitment and as best I’ve been able. I’m proud to have overseen Evolve come back to life with year-on-year improvement in delegate satisfaction, and the reinstatement of the industry’s most prestigious awards programme. I’ve consolidated the organisation’s financial performance by delivering three consecutive financial year positive results, returning the FY end balance sheet to ‘black’. With MEA’s 50th anniversary year approaching, a new leader’s fresh enthusiasm and energy will well serve the business’ next chapter,” McDonald said. The MEA accreditation programme will be returning in 2025. MEA is the largest and oldest association for event professionals in Australia; dedicated to representing the broader events sector which employs more than 229,000 professionals who stage, produce, manage, support and supply the 480,000+ events held nationally each year. Learn more at: meetingsevents.com.au.