Goodbye and Hi

By Peter McDonald, MEA CEO

Yesterday MEA held its 2023 AGM. 

The 2023 Director election ballot results were announced as part of meeting proceedings. With three Directors having determined pre-voting process to resign their positions effective at the AGM, three brand new Directors have been elected to the Board. 

MEA has had a change of the guard.

Michael Firman, Paul Davison and Mike Schrafft have departed the Board and Oliver Sheer (Be Challenged), Benjamin Ferry (IHG Hotels & Resorts) and Craig Watson (Sydney Prop Specialists) were elected by the membership as their replacements. 

On behalf of members, I thank Michael, Paul and Mike for their service to the business. 

Michael was Chair for the past two years, Treasurer before that – what’s more, over the pandemic – and a Director for 5 years in total. He was a long term member of the Victorian branch committee prior to being elected to the Board. He represented MEA as a Director of BECA up until its voluntary de-registration earlier this year. He has been a level head and steady hand steering the ship in very difficult times, and the fact that MEA remains an ongoing concern has been highly influenced by him. His philosophy has always centred on giving back for the good of the industry and the association, but those are no grounds for anyone to take his service for granted. The watcher that I am, I observe him to be due a large debt of gratitude and I encourage the industry to share a note of thanks with him. If you’re not already socially connected with him to do so, he’s on LinkedIn. 

This was Paul’s second time being a MEA Director. It was a 3 year duration this time around, of which he spent 2 in the role of Treasurer. Another outstanding example of strong commitment to the industry and association, and I likewise encourage members to reach out to him personally to express their appreciation. Mike served just the one year and is stepping back as he and his wife begin the transition of their business to its new owners. He came on to the Board with the objective of ensuring representation of the interests of the sector’s small businesses and leaves confident that MEA is on the right trajectory. His contribution is also worthy of your thanks. 

I congratulate Oliver, Benjamin and Craig on their election. Each of them brings representation of an industry sub-segment that is not otherwise represented on the Board, as well as diverse and rich experience that will be to the benefit of all members. I look forward to the contributions each of them will make and to working with them. Please share your own ‘well done’ messages with them directly.  

They will join Jess Glass (University of Queensland), Megan Peters (Lateral Event Management), Vanessa Green (Cliftons Events Solutions), Emma McDowell (Saxton Speakers Bureau), Thomas Staunton (SoldOut Events) and Alicia Thomas (Royal International Convention Centre) as existing Directors to constitute the full Board to govern the organisation through until the 2024 AGM. 

The new Board has already met and elected its leadership. 

MEA’s new Chair is Vanessa Green, a role she describes as being honoured and delighted to assume. Megan Peters will remain Deputy Chair and Craig Watson has become the association’s Treasurer. The Board determined that I should continue in the role of Company Secretary in complement with my role as CEO. 

Please put your full support behind the Board you have built.