EEAA announces new Board of Directors and welcomes Nicole Walker as President

Following their Annual General Meeting on 28th September, the Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia has announced a strong and diverse newly constituted Board of Directors. EEAA Immediate Past President, Spiro Anemogiannis announced the following new office bearers for the EEAA Board Director who were elected unopposed:

• Nicole Walker, Arinex - President

• Helen Mantellato, ICC Sydney - Vice President

• Paul Elliot, Harry the hirer - Treasurer and,

• Elissa Duke, MCEC - Secretary

The two venue designated board positions remain vacant. The board has agreed to call for expressions of interest from venue members, which close on 10th December. The EEAA board understands and appreciates that their venue members around the country are currently focused on rescheduling and resourcing of events. This extended EOI period allows them to re-emerge from this hectic time and be in a position to nominate for these vacancies.

EEAA Chief Executive, Claudia Sagripanti welcomed the new board especially the new President, who Sagripanti notes “will contribute energy, drive and different perspectives as an Australian business owner. I look forward to remaining on the board to continue our hard work and delivery of member benefits.”

Incoming President, Nicole Walker commented “It is a true honour to be elected as President of EEAA and the Board. I will continue the advocacy work, provide our members with clear outcomes, drive quality training and best practice to grow their businesses. Together with the Board and the EEAA team, I will ensure the value of this sector is recognised in Australasia, not only for the industries it supports but for the legacies it leaves long after.

“Spiro stated in his outgoing message about the difficulties in bringing the industry together under one umbrella however, I would like to thank Spiro and the EEAA outgoing Board for having this conversation with the Australian events industry and look forward to continuing these discussions. I hope to provide enthusiasm for collaboration to ensure consolidation and strength of unity and voice of the exhibition and events industry.”

Walker continued “I would also like to welcome the other board members who were newly elected including:

• Rodney Cox, Director, Delaro as Supplier representative

• Rod Peter, Managing Director, Coleman Group as Supplier representative

• Kym De Britt, Chief Executive, Australian Dental Industry Association as the Association representative

EEAA Vice-President Helen Mantellato thanked Spiro Anemogiannis, for his six-year service as President sharing “Spiro has devoted so much of his time, effort and passion to the benefit of our industry. Over the past two years, he presided over the most difficult times of our lives, and despite the challenges we all faced due to COVID-19, his focus was on supporting the Association. He unfailingly advocated for each and every one of the members from all sectors of the Business Events industry. On behalf of the EEAA Board, we thank Spiro for his leadership, perseverance, pragmatism and dedication, and the legacy he is leaving for the benefit of the industry.”

Sagripanti adds “we had strong interest this year from a wide range of our Member companies who were keen to contribute to the development and recovery of the Business Events industry. Congratulations to those who were nominated for positions in this year’s Board election, and to those newly elected. We encourage all members to get involved in the EEAA activities, and welcome collaboration and feedback. The EEAA Secretariat and I look forward to supporting the board and implementing the Rebuild Strategy including the roll out of our marketing activity, supporting our Emerging Leaders, and programs including Sustainability, Risk & Safety, Digital & Technology and Skills & Training.”

The newly constituted EEAA Board of Directors:

Organiser Representatives:

• Nicole Walker, Chief Executive, Arinex

• David Longman, Managing Director, Diversified Communications Australia

• Spiro Anemogiannis, Managing Director, Informa Australia

• Matt Pearce, Chief Executive, Talk2 Media and Events

Association Organiser Representative:

• Kym De Britt, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Dental Industry Association

Supplier Representatives:

• Paul Elliott, State Manager NSW, Harry the hirer

• Rodney Cox, Director, Delaro

• Libbie Ray, Director, Connected Event Group

• Rod Peter, Managing Director, Coleman Group

Venue Representatives:

• Helen Mantellato, Senior Manager, Business Development International & Exhibitions, International Convention Centre Sydney

• Elissa Duke, Senior Manager, Agile Project Management Office, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

The Exhibition & Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) is the major voice of the exhibition and business events industry, dedicated to supporting the organisers, association organisers, venues and suppliers, representing 80% of the industry’s volume. The EEAA is committed to leading the industry through the pandemic crisis and onwards to stability and growth. Read more about EEAA 

Image top:  New EEAA President Nicole Walker