Following the AGM of Meetings and Events Australia which was held last Thursday in Melbourne, MEA is proud to announce the appointment of its Board of Directors and official positions. The Board of Directors commenced effective Friday Monday 22 November 2019 including the newest Director, Kirsty Forbes from Accor Hotels who was elected by the Membership. The appointed MEA Board members are: * Kate Smith – WALDRONSMITH Management (Chair) * Suzana Bishop – Federation Square (Vice Chair) * Michael Firman – Harry the hirer (Treasurer) * Alana Hay – Milestone Creative Australia * Paula Nolan – Commonwealth Bank of Australia * Beverley Williamson – Melbourne Convention Bureau * Kirsty Forbes – Accor Hotels The Board retained Nigel Collin and Ruwan Peiris (IHG) as Strategic Advisors. By way of a Constitutional change ratified by members at the AGM, the number of Board positions will increase from seven to nine. Following the AGM, the MEA held an annual Strategic Planning Day with Robyn Johnson, MEA CEO, the Board of Directors and MEA staff; led by Strategic Advisor, Nigel Collin. Robyn Johnson, CEO of MEA, was excited with the newly appointed Board: “I look forward to working closely with new chair Kate Smith, our newest Director, Kirsty Forbes and the rest of the MEA Board in the year ahead. 2020 will be very exciting year for MEA and I’m focused on developing the new strategic plan that will shape the organisation to meet the needs of our revitalised and growing membership”, she added. The AGM marked Anne Jamieson’s final meeting at Chair, after announcing her intention to step down earlier this year. Anne held a position on the MEA Board for nine years, with six of those as Chairperson. In an emotional final speech at the AGM, Anne commented, “I’m very proud to see MEA in the strong position it is in today thanks to the efforts of the Board, Robyn, our partners and the MEA team. It’s not always easy sitting in this chair – this role certainly has its ups and downs – but I feel very privileged to have been honoured with this position and have enjoyed the journey immensely.” She added, “I am so proud of what the Association has achieved and I am incredibly grateful to the industry that has supported us to ensure our Association remains the peak industry body, no doubt for a long time to come”. Newly elected Chair of the MEA Board, Kate Smith commented, “Anne led the Board with great consideration, passion and a genuine desire to ensure MEA represents and delivers on the needs of our membership. Anne was instrumental in driving the recent changes to the framework of the MEA Board and in developing our clear strategic direction. Our thanks to Anne for her tremendous energy, personal commitment and the endless time she invested with MEA.” On her appointment as Chair, Kate Smith added, “I’m genuinely excited about where MEA is heading and I look forward to helping shape its future. I am confident in the Board’s focus and the strategic direction for the Association but most importantly what MEA will bring you as a member, your organisation and our industry, now and into the future. It won’t be without it challenges but then any worthwhile generally doesn’t come easily.” At the strategic planning day, MEA reviewed its mission, its three year strategies and actions. The strategy day solidified MEA’s commitment to the reputation, reach, sustainability, and the longevity and legacy of the Association. The strategy set out priorities for servicing and providing increased value for its members including a review of the membership value proposition. It identified new business opportunities and development of the industry through its educational offering, leveraging its position as the only association that is a registered education and training provider. The Board will continue to meet every six weeks, with a six monthly check-in on progress with the strategy.