Roslyn McLeod OAM, Founder of Professional Conference Organisation Arinex, has been presented with an Honorary Membership of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).

The prestigious global award was announced at the 61^st ICCA Congress in Krakow, Poland.

ICCA President James Rees said the status of Honorary Membership is reserved for a small number of retired individuals who have given particularly strong service to the association.

“Usually, they have served on the Board, often for extensive lengths of time; always they have volunteered their expertise, time and energy; sometimes they have contributed vital strategic insights that have helped guide our association forward,” Mr Rees said. 

“Occasionally they have played host to one of our Congresses, perhaps the most stressful responsibility a member can undertake.  And always, they have been influential advocates on ICCA’s behalf and great friends of this association.”

Roslyn has had a distinguished career in business tourism and events, starting with her specialist Japanese speaking tours and translation services 50 years ago. She went on to establish and build one of the most successful event management companies in Australasia and in 1999 was awarded the Australian Commonwealth Government’s Member of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her outstanding contribution to the Australian tourism and meetings industry before retiring in 2021. Today, Arinex has a presence in four Australian states as well as New Zealand.

It was in 1985 that Roslyn first attended the ICCA General Assembly in Bangkok. She became an official ICCA member in 1987 and found the annual event to be an invaluable avenue to network with top global industry members, to understand the international events scene, and to build knowledge and relationships.

Roslyn was an Honorary Secretary of ICCA from 1987 – 1990 and served as a Board Member from 1996 – 2000 and again from 2002 – 2004. In 2018, ICCA named Roslyn one of the industry’s top 10 most inspirational women.

Beyond ICCA, Roslyn’s contribution to the industry has been extensive. Her Board appointments have included Co-Chair of the INCON Group and a member of the Asia Pacific Starwood MICE Advisory Board.  She has been a Director of the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA), a Council Member of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) and past President of both Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) and the Rotary Club of Sydney. She has also served on the Boards of the Sydney Convention & Visitors Bureau and the South Australian Tourism Commission.   

Married to Angelo Bonanno, she has two adult children and two grandchildren who she thoroughly enjoys spending more time with since her retirement.

Roslyn handed ownership of Arinex to Nicole Walker in July 2021. The company will celebrate its 50-year anniversary in 2023.

In 2020 Ros spoke to ASE for the 2020 podcast project – listen here