With a history of recognising excellence in the events industry, Meetings & Events Australia’s Awards Program has celebrated the achievements of the Australian events sector since 1983.

This year’s program has been refined and will ensure that the most exceptional events industry achievements, creativity, and best practices across Company, Individual and Event of the Year sections during 2023 are those recognised with awards.

Whether they have led an exceptional team deserving acclaim, have orchestrated an extraordinary event, or wish to shine a well-deserved spotlight on a colleague, event professionals across the country are encouraged to make a submission.

The MEA Awards portal is now open offering a total of 39 award opportunities across 8 diverse categories blanketing the scope of the Australian events sector, providing organisers, suppliers, venues, trailblazers, and organisations spearheading the sector throughout 2023 the chance to be recognised by their peers with one of the industry’s highest accolades.

MEA CEO Peter McDonald is pleased to open applications for the prestigious program, “2023 has seen the events industry back in full swing and some outstanding activity across the sector. Given the volume and quality of events we’ve witnessed, winning one of the 39 MEA awards up for contest this year will certainly have been earned. The prestige and gravitas a MEA Award victory brings is real because it comes on the back of peer recognition provided by MEA’s senior industry practitioner judging panel.” He added, “Conferred by MEA and it being the largest and longest operating Australian events industry association, by default, these awards are genuinely by the industry, for the industry so truly worth winning.”

Among the other awards in this year’s line-up, is the highly regarded Outstanding Contribution Award, which honours the remarkable achievements of an individual who has led discussion, supported change, and who continues to nurture the industry’s future leaders. Recipients in recent years have included Anne Jamieson, Kate Smith, and Trevor Gardiner. 2023 Chair of Judges, Simon Baggs, Ruth Lilian, Peter Jones, and Roslyn McLeod are fellow Outstanding Contribution Award alumni and convey the ilk of company this year’s winner will join.

Invited to act once again as the Chair of MEA’s judging panel, Simon Baggs said, “In the event industry recently, we have seen a constant swirl of heightened demand, challenging supply line and staffing issues, and run-away expenses; next, we are returning to the norms of a highly competitive market. We’ll flip from a sellers’ market to a buyers’ market. Our reputation will be our greatest asset in securing business; reputation is a more significant influencer than price.”

He continued, “That’s where MEA Awards come in. If your company has the industry’s most revered award, it speaks volumes. It provides due diligence; it inspires confidence. I strongly recommend you apply for a MEA Award or multiple awards; it will put you in good stead in a competitive environment.”

Submissions for the awards will close Monday 12 February 2024 at 11.59 pm [AEDT]. Late submissions unfortunately will not be accepted due to judging timelines. Further information about the program milestones can be found on MEA’s website here.

Awards criteria can be viewed, and submissions made here