Australia’s longest operating and largest events industry association, Meetings & Events Australia (MEA), has acknowledged and celebrated excellence and achievements in the industry during 2021 & 2022. Held at The Star Gold Coast and hosted by Master of Ceremonies Luke Hannan, the 2021-2022 MEA National Awards presentation ceremony was the perfect bookend to MEA’s highly successful annual conference, Evolve 2023.
More than 200 guests witnessed 35 Awards be presented to the best of the sector at a show-stopping Awards Dinner, including the bestowal of three Platinum Awards to recipients who achieved the highest score via the judging process within their respective greater categories. Special congratulations to; MEA Platinum Company of the Year – Congress Australia, MEA Platinum Event of the Year – ICMS Australasia for 21st International Meeting on Lithium Batteries 2022, and MEA Platinum Event Professional of the Year – Susan Harris from Absolute Events & Marketing.
MEA CEO Peter McDonald said, “Tonight we were able to showcase performances of distinction across the breadth of the Australian events industry during 2021 and 2022. It’s my hope that every national, as well as state and territory, finalist and winner will use their peer determined acknowledgement to champion and leverage themselves as they conduct business.” He added “My thanks go to Chair of Judges Simon Baggs, and indeed all judges for their volunteered time and experience. Immense gratitude also to our Award category sponsors Accor and Tourism Australia for their support. It’s impossible to offer this program without any of this altruism.”
MEA is thrilled to announce that this year the esteemed Outstanding Contribution Award was presented to Anne Jamieson, CEO of Saxton Speakers Bureau, in recognition of her many years of dedication to, and positive influence on, the Australian Events Industry. This year the award is sponsored by Tourism Australia.
Tourism Australia’s Executive General Manager of Commercial and Business Events Australia, Robin Mack said, “Tourism Australia proudly supports the MEA Outstanding Contribution Award, which recognises an individual who has made significant contributions to the advancement of the events industry in Australia. Congratulations to Anne Jamieson for receiving the award and to all the winners from last night.”
Event Management Awards Category sponsor, Accor’s Anne Gill, Senior Vice President Commercial – Pacific said “Accor Pacific is a passionate supporter of the meetings and events industry and we’re thrilled to recognise the outstanding work of individuals and businesses in the delivery of events through our sponsorship of the Event Management Awards category at the 2021-2022 MEA National Awards. Congratulations to Forum Group Events & Marketing, ASHM Conference and Events Division, Department of Queensland’s Programs and Events Team, and MCI Australia for winning these awards.”
Three standout businesses entered MEA’s Hall of Fame for the first time. Special congratulations to; ASHM Conference and Events Division for the In-House Event Management Team – Association Award, Novatech Creative Event Technology for the Audio Visual Services Award, and Milestone Creative Australia for the Event Marketing Award. These organisations join the prestigious ranks of similar organisations who have also won the same MEA Award for three consecutive years.
An event like MEA’s National Awards Dinner is not possible or as enjoyable without the generous support of event partners. MEA’s genuine thanks go to Onstage Entertainment, SolRED Creative Event Services, Orion Media Group, Movie World and Events Fantastic.
The full list of State and National Winners for the 2021-2022 MEA Awards Program are:
NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS
| COMPANY AWARDS | |
| EVENT MANAGEMENT AWARDS CATEGORY – Sponsored by Accor | |
| Event Agency | Forum Group Events & Marketing |
| In-House Event Management Team – Association | ASHM Conference and Events Division |
| In-House Event Management Team – Government | Department of Queensland – Programs and Events Team |
| Professional Conference Organisation | MCI Australia |
| EVENT PRODUCTS & SERVICES AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| Audio Visual Services | Novatech Creative Event Technology |
| Banqueting & Catering | Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre |
| Event Marketing | Milestone Creative Australia |
| Event Technology | Touchpoint Meeting Services |
| Exhibition Services | Harry the hirer |
| Speaker, Entertainer or Team Builder | Saxton Speakers Bureau |
| Specialist Services & Suppliers Award | Congress Australia |
| EXCELLENCE IN INDUSTRY AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| Innovation Award | MCG Events |
| Skilling Program of the Year | ICC Sydney for Professional Growth Program |
| VENUE AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| Event Hotel of the Year | Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific |
| Event Venue – Capacity less than 1,000 | MCG Events |
| Event Venue – Capacity more than 1,000 | Sydney Showground |
| EVENT OF THE YEAR CATEGORY | |
| Association Event of the Year | MCI Australia for 21st International Conference on Emergency Medicine |
| Cause Related Event of the Year | RAC Arena Perth & Channel 7 Telethon Trust for Telethon Weekend 2022 |
| Corporate Event of the Year | Melbourne Royal for 2022 Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards |
| Exhibition of the Year | Creative Hire for Dicker Data TechX 2022 Roadshow |
| Government Event of the Year | ICMS Australasia on behalf of CSIRO for 21st International Meeting on Lithium Batteries 2022 |
| Incentive Event of the Year | OMG XP for HP Elite Partners: Island Escapades |
| Major Event or Festival of the Year | Brisbane Racing Club for Stradbroke Season 2022 |
| Regional Event of the Year | Deni Play on the Plains Festival for Deni Ute Muster |
| Special Event of the Year | Sofitel Melbourne On Collins in partnership with Finucane & Smith for Future.Joy.Club. |
| Virtual Event of the Year | ICC Sydney and The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia for Pathology Update 2021: Re-cracking the code |
| Event Legacy Award | ICMS Australasia for 20th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ICSMGE 2022) |
| EVENT PROFESSIONAL AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| Event Manager of the Year – PCO | Susan Harris BBus (Mktg), AEP – Absolute Events & Marketing |
| In-House Event Manager of the Year – Association, Corporate or Government | Andrea Heath – Imagine Holidays |
| Operations Person of the Year | Jack Crozier – ICC Sydney |
| Sales, Marketing or Business Development Person of the Year | Troy Stasinowsky – MCG Events |
| MEA PLATINUM AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| Platinum Company of the Year | Congress Australia |
| Platinum Event of the Year | ICMS Australasia for 21st International Meeting on Lithium Batteries 2022 |
| Platinum Event Professional of the Year | Susan Harris BBus (Mktg), AEP – Absolute Events & Marketing |
| OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD – Sponsored by Tourism Australia | |
| 2021-2022 MEA Outstanding Contribution Award | Anne Jamieson, Saxton Speakers Bureau |
STATE AND TERRITORY AWARD WINNERS
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
| EVENT OF THE YEAR AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| Association Event of the Year | Master Builders Association of the ACT |
NEW SOUTH WALES
| EVENT MANAGEMENT AWARDS CATEGORY – SPONSORED BY ACCOR | |
| Event Agency of the Year | Forum Group Events & Marketing |
| In-House Event Management Team – Association | ASHM Conference & Events Division |
| EVENT PRODUCTS & SERVICES AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| Audio Visual Services | ICC Sydney |
| Event Marketing | Milestone Creative Australia |
| Event Technology | Touchpoint Meeting Services |
| Speakers, Entertainers or Team Builders | Be Challenged |
| Specialist Services & Suppliers | Congress Australia |
| VENUE AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| Event Hotel of the Year | Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific |
| Event Venue – Capacity less than 1,000 | Cliftons Event Solutions |
| Event Venue – Capacity more than 1,000 | Sydney Showgrounds |
| EVENT OF THE YEAR AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| Association Event of the Year | ICMS Australasia for 20th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ICSMGE 2022) |
| Corporate Event of the Year | OMG XP for HP Elevate |
| Exhibition of the Year | Creative Hire for Dicker Data TechX 2022 Roadshow |
| Government Event of the Year | ICMS Australasia (on behalf of CSIRO) for 21st International Meeting on Lithium Batteries 2022 |
| Incentive Event of the Year | OMG XP for HP Elite Partners: Island Escapades |
| Major Event or Festival of the Year | SoldOut Events for Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Announcement – Brisbane Live Site South Bank |
| Regional Event of the Year | Deni Play on the Plains Festival for Deni Ute Muster |
| Special Event of the Year | Forum Group Events & Marketing for Beat Your Bucket List, South Africa |
| Virtual Event of the Year | ICC Sydney & the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia for Pathology Update 2021: Re-cracking the code |
| EVENT PROFESSIONAL AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| Event Manager of the Year – PCO | Lili Lin, ICMS Australasia |
| Operations Person of the Year | Jack Crozier, ICC Sydney |
| Sales, Marketing or Business Development Person of the Year | Gabriella Alberici, ICC Sydney |
NORTHERN TERRITORY
| EVENT MANAGEMENT AWARDS CATEGORY – Sponsored by Accor | |
| Event Agency of the Year | AA&P Events |
QUEENSLAND
| EVENT MANAGEMENT AWARDS CATEGORY – Sponsored by Accor | |
| In-House Event Management Team – Government | Department of Education, Queensland |
| EVENT PRODUCTS & SERVICES AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| Event Technology | EventsAir |
| EVENT PROFESSIONAL AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| Event Manager of the Year – PCO | Susan Harris, Absolute Events & Marketing |
| In-House Event Manager of the Year – Association, Corporate or Government | Andrea Heath, Imagine Holidays |
| EVENTS OF THE YEAR AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| Corporate Event of the Year | The University of Queensland for UQ Open Day – St Lucia |
| Government Event of the Year | Department of Education, Queensland for 2022 Principals’ Conference and Business Day |
| Major Event or Festival of the Year | Brisbane Racing Club for Stradbroke Season 2022 |
| Special Event of the Year | Imagine Holidays for Human Nature in Uluru |
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
| EVENT PRODUCTS & SERVICES AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| Audio Visual Services | Novatech Creative Event Technology |
TASMANIA
| VENUE AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| Event Venue – Capacity less than 1,000 | paranaple Convention Centre |
VICTORIA
| EVENT MANAGEMENT AWARDS CATEGORY – Sponsored by Accor | |
| Event Agency of the Year | We Are Phoenix |
| In-House Event Management Team – Association | Department of Education, Victoria |
| Professional Conference Organisation | MCI Australia |
| EVENT PRODUCTS & SERVICES AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| Banqueting & Catering | Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre |
| Event Marketing | Social Season |
| Event Technology | Cvent |
| Exhibition Services | Harry the hirer |
| Speaker, Entertainer or Team Builder | Saxton Speakers Bureau |
| EXCELLENCE IN INDUSTRY AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| Innovation Award | MCG Events |
| VENUE AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| Event Venue – Capacity less than 1,000 | MCG Events |
| EVENT OF THE YEAR AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| Association Event of the Year | MCI Australia for 21st International Conference on Emergency Medicine |
| Corporate Event of the Year | Melbourne Royal for 2022 Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards |
| Government Event of the Year | VEE Agency for Sydney Shimmer Festival |
| Special Event of the Year | Sofitel Melbourne On Collins in partnership with Finucane & Smith for Future.Joy.Club. |
| Virtual Event of the Year | We Are Phoenix for Camp Quality Virtual Camps |
| EVENT PROFESSIONAL AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| In-House Event Manager of the Year – Association, Corporate or Government | Olivia Belvedere, Melbourne Royal |
| Sales, Marketing or Business Development Person of the Year | Troy Stasinowsky, MCG Events |
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
| EVENT PROFESSIONAL AWARDS CATEGORY | |
| Cause Related Event of the Year | RAC Arena Perth & Channel 7 Telethon Trust for Telethon Weekend 2022 |
Please note: this is the second time ASHM Conference & Events Division have entered the Hall of Fame for National In-House Event Management Team – Association. They were Hall of Fame in 2015/16 also.