The Chinese year of the tiger has certainly proven to be an interesting one for MEA QLD, as we've taken on many of the qualities associated with the feline giants. Like tigers, our Committee and MEA management have been broad-minded in their approach and quick to action when opportunity presented itself. They were also tentative when assessment was needed.

The result? PDs, Y MEA functions, and eight networking events that showcased unique and prestigious venues. For instance, we sipped on boutique wines at Clovelly Estate, gazed at amazing paintings in the Brisbane Convention Exhibition Centre's gallery, revelled in excellence at the Gold Coast Radisson awards night, played our own version of "Talkin' Bout Your Generation" at the Rugby Club at The Strand, learnt about the power of the word from Robyn Moore, and finished on an especially high note at Cloudland for a Christmas celebration in a dazzling new space.
  
Into the future MEA will continue to support the development of our industry in proven and also innovative ways. For example, some of the questions that I've been asked over the past 12 months include: How can AV companies work together, rather than against each other, to improve profitability? Should clients pay for the development of proposals that contain intellectual property? and How can Queensland become more inclusive in promoting the state, rather than individual destinations? These meaty questions are good topics for members to ponder and we'd love to hear from you if you'd like to be involved in forums where some of these questions could be aired.

In fact, I'd love to hear from you about all the ways in which MEA could help you further.

Liz Rivers
Branch Chair MEA QLD

Like all MEA members, Queenslanders are always keen to take advantage of the opportunity to network with industry colleagues and friends, make new contacts and to experience the wide range of wonderful venues in the region. 

During recent months there have certainly been a wide range of ClubMEA events to choose from.......
a brief summary of our recent ClubMEAs include:

• May 2010 – Lunch at The Strand at Rugby Quay:  a wonderful new Brisbane venue with a stunning view overlooking the Brisbane River.  Speaker Karen Schmidt gave us all further insight into managing the “Generation Gap”.

• June 2010 – Cocktails at The Art Gallery at Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre:  as part of the 2010 Event ConneQion Queensland Expo, MEA members experienced a new venue space at BCEC, with an update from the Centre’s team on the BCEC Grey Street extensions and development.

• August 2010 – Cocktails at Skilled Park Stadium on the Gold Coast:  a unique back of house tour of the full facilities at Queensland’s newest sporting stadium.  This venue is certainly not limited to sporting events!

• September 2010 – Breakfast at Watermark Hotel & Spa with Guest Speaker, Robyn Moore:  in spite of the early hour, MEA members enjoyed a lavish breakfast served in Amalfi Bistro & Bar and a truly inspiring presentation from Robyn.  A perfect way to start our day on a positive note.

• October 2010 – Lunch at Clovely Wines Cellar Door at Red Hill:  with the added benefit of an informative presentation of “Hints” for Awards submissions, MEA members relaxed over delightful lunch, enhanced with the pick of the Clovely Wines.

November 2010 – MEA QLD Christmas celebrations in the Heritage Room at Cloudland:  this event space is the newest addition to the Cloudland venue options (in fact there was still a hint of fresh paint smell in the air).  MEA members were treated to taste sensations from Cloudland, delightful desserts supplied by Mantle Group and plenty of Christmas cheer from Driftwood Estate Wines.  There was certainly plenty of Ho Ho Ho in the room, with everyone celebrating the end of another busy year in the industry.

We thank all of our sponsors and supporters for their kind assistance with all of our ClubMEA networking events in 2010.  Without you all they just wouldn’t be the same!

Hosting an event will provide you with an excellent opportunity to demonstrate support for the continued growth of the meetings and events industry, to promote your venue and service and demonstrate its versatility and capabilities.

If you are interested in hosting an event for MEA members in QLD please contact Alison Parry at qld@mea.org.au.

After a record number of entries in 2009, MEA is delighted to announce the opening of the 2010 Meetings and Events Industry Awards.

The Awards Program provides an opportunity for member companies and individuals to showcase their achievements during 2009/2010 and be rewarded for their results.

Becoming a finalist or winner will recognise outstanding performance across 30 different categories at state and national level allowing members to benchmark their performance against other professionals and to review and improve their business.

Finalists and winners will enjoy significant marketing benefits and strengthened profile with the meetings and events industry, suppliers and the buying public.
To view the full range of categories and further information on the 2010 MEA Awards Program, visit www.meetingsevents.com.au/awards

Applications close Friday 21 January 2011. Winners are announced at the MEA National Awards Night on April 19, 2011 during the MEA National Conference.

If you have any questions about the 2010 MEA Awards Program, please contact the MEA National Office on 02 9929 5400.

“Essentials for Successful Meetings and Events” kicked off in June at the Brisbane Stamford Hotel.  The Essentials program provides the opportunity to meet event professionals working in the business, gain access and insight into years of experience and wisdom. The team from Event Planners provided a slick outline, defining what are “meeting and events”, outlining the aims of the course and covering the typical objectives of association, corporate and government meetings. Lynette Maxwell AMM of International Waterforum shared her experience providing practical information on operational scheduling, timelines, and managing destination, venue and supplier selection. Lynette outlined the importance of lifting professional standards to ensure outstanding outcomes and return on investment.

Case studies provided insight and new ideas were explored in group discussions.  Russell Bennett from Staging Connections and Marjorie Gardiner from Moreton Hire presented on integrating theming into the event and organising exhibitions with meetings. Essentials will be scheduled for mid year 2011 in Brisbane.

In October, Customs House hosted a half day development course with Ric Wilmot, sponsored by Onstage Entertainment.  Ric provided a customised presentation for the audience and went ‘above and beyond’ by also providing relevant links to his own website and suppliers for post-event follow-up.  With a speaker so interested in catering a personalised presentation it was fabulous that Ric was able to drill down on the feasibility buyer and the economic buyer concepts.  He provided insight into a new way of thinking in strategic sales planning and managed to keep the delegates captured with a thoroughly informative and entertaining presentation.   

Go to www.meetingsevents.com.au and if you are a subscriber to your membership, log in with your member login and password. Scroll down the menu and click on ‘view your PD history.’ Alternatively contact the MEA Office at mea@mea.org.au

MEA Accreditation or Recognition takes into consideration activities undertaken in the 3 years prior to application. If you have accumulated more than 100 points for Associate-Fellow of MEA (AFMEA) or 60 points for Accredited Meeting Manager (AMM) you are encouraged to apply for accreditation and/or recognition.  For more information on how to apply, please visit http://www.meetingsevents.com.au/accreditation/

The enthusiastic members of the Tropical North Queensland Sub-Committee (this area covers Townsville up to Port Douglas) have been working hard to plan events for the end of 2010 and into 2011.  2010 will finish with networking drinks and catch-up at Rydges, while 2011 will see the start of professional development events being held on a regular basis with the first one likely to be held end of January/February.    If any members in the TNQ area would like to become more involved, please contact Susan Harris on susan@absoluteeventsandmarketing.com.au – we’d be delighted to have your input.  Thanks to Cathy Taylor (Cairns Convention Centre), Sharon Kennedy (Novotel Oasis Resort), John Forde (Rydges Tradewinds Cairns) and Gavin Weightman (Shangri-La Hotel) for all their work and enthusiasm on this Sub-Committee.

What is Y MEA?
This is an exciting opportunity for young industry professionals (27 years of age and under) to meet industry colleagues and start the next networking generation!

SO! If you or your staff should receive our Y MEA communications, please email Alison Parry at qld@mea.org.au and provide us with their contact details and email address so they don’t miss out on this opportunity. 

What are your top 100 goals in life?  Well the Y MEA's of Queensland have now started their lists, after an inspirational session by Keith Abraham at The Colonial.

A lively and interactive session saw us all pondering, then sharing some of our goals in life - with many finding mutual ground in the field of, owning property, shopping in New York, climbing the Kokoda trail, or simply finding more time to read books! This inspirational session concluded with a successful networking session - with everyone having plenty to talk about.

‘Tasting something new’ was the focus of our July Event.   We achieved this with the help of Mantle & Cook Catering Specialists who took us on a journey to discover and experience behind the scenes of a production Kitchen. We were given an inside view of catering concepts with new age cooking tricks and techniques on an interactive demonstration.  We also participated in a healthy does of competition of plating up our own dishes not to mention our taste buds receiving a treat with the end results of our efforts.  What a way to end the year.  Be on the look out for our upcoming events in 2011!

Tuesday 14 December - QLD TNQ Christmas Party @ Rydges Tradewinds, Cairns Click Here

Friday 21 January - Meetings & Events Australia Annual Awards: Applications close Click Here

Friday 28 January - 2010 Young Professional Scholarship: Applications close at 4.00pm Click Here

Friday 28 Jan and Saturday 29 Jan – 1 ½ day Professional Development seminar, Gold Coast - SAVE THE DATE - Invitation will be sent shortly!  

January - ClubMEA Networking Event Gold Coast (following Professional Development)

February – Y MEA Networking Event Click Here

March - MEA QLD State Awards Night Click Here

17–19 April - 24th MEA National Conference, Brisbane, Queensland Click Here

April – Y MEA Networking Event Click Here

Onstage Entertainment has been a long and valued supporter of MEA not only with the supply of speakers and entertainers throughout the year, but also Andrea Heath their managing director, sits on our Queensland branch committee.

Even in a ‘GFC year’ Onstage has had an exciting 2010.  Some of the big highlights includes the signing of a number of Queensland’s latest and greatest corporate acts, long standing employee Melanie Williamson became a director consolidating a team with exceptional experience in the events industry, and importantly Onstage opened it’s doors in Sydney. 

Onstage Sydney is particularly great news for our NSW members as Onstage Entertainment brings with it 27 years experience specialising in corporate events, have unmatched quality control procedures and exceptional customer service values. 

Company director, Sue McGary is heading up the new Sydney office and with over
21 years experience at Onstage, clients are certainly in good hands. 

After only a few months "on the ground", Onstage are already on the preferred supplier list of a number of four and five star hotel venues and have organised entertainment for events at the Sydney Convention Centre, Sofitel Wentworth and the Sydney Town Hall.  They’re also delighted to be the exclusive entertainment sponsor for Sydney's Unique Venues Association.

If you’re only work with the best suppliers in the business and like to support other like-minded MEA members, we’d recommend Onstage Entertainment any time!

Top row: Alison Parry-MEA, Shannon Grundon- Gold Coast Convention Bureau, Robbie Turner-Hilton Brisbane, Belinda Crofts- Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, Holly Roestenburg-Staging Connections, Julie O'Donovan-Moreton Hire

Bottom row: Andrea Heath-OnStage Entertainment, Jackie Rouleston Stuart-SolutionRED, Justine Chakalakis, Moreton Hire