MEA offers many member benefits to its continually growing membership, one of these benefits is Professional Development and this has now been taken to another level of professionalism. By becoming an RTO MEA will be able to offer formal qualifications as well as industry specific professional development.

"We believe that employers are now more discerning about how they spend their training dollar and would prefer to see their budget allocated to the building of qualifications. Accreditation as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) ensures that MEA remains the training provider of choice for this industry sector."

Gaining RTO status has involved a stringent government audit of MEA's physical and human resources as well as an audit of all training materials and assessment tools to be used. All MEA education and training programs have undergone relevant and updated re-writes to ensure currency and validity.

MEA's target market for formal training sessions is mature aged personnel who have worked their way through the ranks, without any formal qualification, and would like to have this type of recognition for their personal and career goals.

"Australia is highly regarded around world for the high quality service delivery for conferences and events. Well planned and managed international conferences have a ripple effect throughout the economy. They enhance Australia's status in the global scientific, industrial and business sectors, which often helps develop collaboration, sparking fresh enterprise. Also, the harsh reality is that competition for international meetings continues to spiral. We have to show decision makers around the world that our service standards match the quality of the venues and infrastructure wherever the event is being held."

International delegates spend five times the amount of leisure tourists and more often as not will take pre or post conference tours to regional Australia.

MEA believes that an RTO has a competitive edge in the training market as it can issue nationally recognised qualifications which are highly valued by employers and are sought after by those developing a career.

Meetings & Events Australia plans to deliver many of the subjects contained in the Diploma of Event Management and Certificate IV in Tourism (Sales & Marketing).

Event management has become a much sought-after career choice and MEA is sourcing opportunities to partner with other RTO's Australia-wide to ensure a quality education for members and non-members alike.

Linda Gaunt says MEA's point of difference is its ability to impart industry specific knowledge from the experts who have, and are continuing to work within the industry.

MEA will also provide RPL (recognition of prior learning) opportunities for selected units of competence within the national qualifications, to enable those personnel with relevant and substantial industry experience to gain credit for their knowledge without the necessity of training room attendance.

Accreditation as an RTO will enable MEA members to attend highly valuable sessions, as they have always done, with upgraded content and delivery.  An added benefit would be the opportunity to be assessed on their competency in this subject in order to gain a Statement of Attainment and therefore credit towards a national qualification.  The member can elect to be assessed or not assessed, dependant on their personal and career objectives.

For further information contact the MEA National office on 02 9929 5400 or visit the MEA website www.meetingsevents.com.au.