Robyn Johnson’s announcement that she is leaving MEA got me to thinking about the number of industry associations most of us belong to.

There are many producers and suppliers who work across many sectors. For example – stage technology companies provide AV, audio, lighting etc for business events, music events, sporting events, festivals, live theatre and private events.  Many event producers work on business events along with private and public events.

The best thing that has happened for our industry has been the formation of BECA as a peak body to represent the business events sector to the federal government – can you imagine the situation we would be in this year if each association was trying to get their own message through to the government.

While BECA has been playing an important role in representing business events producers and suppliers, there are also a number of other associations representing allied industries such as festivals, tourism, live theatre and the music industries.  

And surely many of these associations will be struggling to get renewal fees from those companies hit hard by the current pandemic.

So is now the time to think about one association for those involved in “Business Events” which includes conferences, exhibitions, promotional events, corporate events, etc. Then another for “Public Events” that takes in festivals, sporting events, music events, etc.

A “major” association could then have sub-divisions for say expo organisers, PCOs, event producers and suppliers.

Surely this would provide a stronger voice to government when we need it most.  Just look at the strength of the Minerals Council of Australia – essentially providing one voice to government for all miners no matter how large or small or whether they mine gold or coal.