I feel extremely privileged to be sending my first message to you all as Branch Chair – Victoria. On behalf of MEA, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Susan Ryman-Kiernan AFMEA for her commitment and dedication over the past few years. Susan has steered the MEA Victoria Branch to great success and we are delighted that she has been elected to National Council. On a personal note, I am looking forward to Sue steering me in the right direction as I find my footing in this new role!

The last three months have been incredibly busy for the Meetings and Events Industry however I would like to thank all those members who have attended the Networking Events and Professional Development Sessions.

In October, Brian Morris, Chief Executive Officer, Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust delivered an inspiring session (‘From Manager to Team Leader’). The session focused on the fundamentals of leadership and managing others. In November, we saw Michelle Bowden, Michelle Bowden Enterprises, deliver an engaging and enthusiastic session on presentation and influencing skills in business. I am sure those that attended will remember Michelle using song and dance to get her message across!

The ClubMEA Auction at the Grand Hyatt was a fun evening with substantial funds raised for the Ruth Ellis Scholarship. October and November ClubMEA networking events at Flemington Visitors Centre and The Point, Albert Park , Y MEA event at the Immigration Museum and the recent MEA VIC Christmas Party at 3 Station Pier provided further opportunities for the industry to get together and share ideas and updates.

No doubt the Meetings and Events Industry will be just as busy and successful in 2011 as in 2010. In the meantime, I wish you all a fantastic Christmas, and I look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Bev Williamson AFMEA
Branch Chair MEA VIC

CLUBMEA @ FLEMINGTON VISITORS CENTRE
MEA guests enjoyed an exclusive sneak peak at the newly opened Flemington Visitor Centre at the October ClubMEA event.  With state of the art multimedia experiences and priceless artefacts from the Victoria Racing Club’s archives that bring to life the drama, fashion and excitement that is Flemington.
ClubMEA @ the Flemington Visitors Centre was the perfect way to gear up for the race that stops the nation!  MEA VIC would like to thank Flemington Visitor Centre for their generous hospitality.

CLUBMEA @ THE POINT, ALBERT PARK
The Point Albert Park hosted the November ClubMEA event on a warm Melbourne night.  Situated on the edge of Albert Park Lake, The Point featuring designer interiors and floor to ceiling windows, encapsulating the views across the lake, park and city skyline was the perfect venue.
Attendees were asked to create some lasting memories of the event with our networking challenge. Attendees formed into groups and were then armed with digital cameras and a list of photo challenges, each team had to complete as many challenges as possible!  Some of the photo challenges included:
A photo of your team mate hugging a stranger; a photo of a team member doing ‘Zumba’; a photo with ‘ClubMEA’ in it; a photo of someone in heels running around Albert Park.  Enjoy some of the great snaps our attendees took at the event.

Would you like to host a ClubMEA in 2011?

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 a ClubMEA event in 2011 please contact Laura Zito, Branch Coordinator- VIC & TAS, on 03 9329 5716 or email vic@mea.org.au.

FROM MANAGER TO TEAM LEADER
In October Brian Morris, Chief Executive Officer, Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust delivered an inspiring session ‘From Manager to Team Leader’. Drawing from Brian’s 25 years in the entertainment, hospitality and venue management sector the session focused on:

• what is leadership and what makes a good people manager
• are leaders born or can they be developed
• effective communication and feedback
• common mistakes when transitioning to the next level
• developing self awareness and understanding your impact on others. 

MEA VIC would like to thank Brian Morris for presenting this informative and inspiring session.

SPEAKING AND PRESENTING PROFESSIONALLY
Michelle Bowden from Michelle Bowden Enterprises presented a highly interactive and entertaining session titled ‘Speaking and Presenting Professionally’ to MEA Victoria members in November.

During this engaging and high energy session Michelle showed attendees that anyone can have the power to influence and the confidence to speak up whether it be one to one, one to few, or one to many- all you have to do is simply follow a proven system and have the right attitude. This fun and interactive morning was enjoyed by everyone who attended. A huge thank you to Michelle for taking the time to speak to our members. 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: UPCOMING PD SESSIONS
20 January – Social Media with Sam Mutimer from ThinkTank Media

24 February – Communication Skills with Dr Louise Mahler

24 March – OH&S with Paul McCarthy

7 April – Demystifying AV with Fraser Watkins

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

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 Laura Zito at vic@mea.org.au and provide us with their contact details and email address so they don’t miss out on this opportunity.

The Immigration Museum hosted the final Y MEA event for 2010 in November.  Located in the Old Customs House, one of Melbourne's finest 19th-century buildings, the Immigration Museum offers some of Melbourne's finest indoor and outdoor spaces in the heart of the CBD.  Attendees immersed themselves in Melbourne’s history at the Immigration Museum, getting to know each other by playing networking games and mingling and enjoying the culinary delights provided by White Card Food + Events.  MEA VIC would like to thank the Immigration Museum and White Card Food + Events for a fantastic evening.

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.

MEA VIC is delighted to announce that the 2010 VIC Meetings and Events Industry Awards Presentation will be held on Thursday 10 March 2011 at the Sebel Albert Park, further details will be announced in the coming weeks so make sure to put this date in your diary and start preparing your submission for the 2010 Awards program – entries close 21 January 2011.

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is Australia’s leading, multi-functional meetings, conference and events space. 

MCEC is located on the banks of the Yarra River within South Wharf, an exciting new retail and leisure development.

Melbourne’s arts and sporting precincts, central business district and famous shopping and world-class restaurants are also just a short stroll or tram ride away.

The convention centre is the world’s first 6 Star Green Star rated convention centre, where the innovative use of fresh air, natural light and solar power makes your experience more comfortable.

It boasts 32 meeting rooms of various sizes, a grand banquet room and pre-function area with exceptional views of the city and an entry-level foyer that offers stunning Yarra River and city vistas through an 18-metre high glass façade.

A state-of-the-art plenary that divides into three separate theatres can accommodate any sized event, it can seat 5,500+ or reconfigure into smaller spaces to suit any client.

The Melbourne Exhibition Centre is fully integrated with the convention centre, providing 30,000sqm of exhibition space and over 20 additional meeting rooms.

At the MCEC every room is fully equipped with the latest technology that is supported by our in-house technical team.

Our award-winning food and wine team brings the best Victorian produce to the table and develop inspiring, seasonally driven menus.  All our catering is done in-house, right down to baking our own breads and making our own sauces.

For further information visit www.mcec.com.au or call +61 3 9235 8210.