EEAA honours industry excellence and prepares for return of in-person events

The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) delivered three key events from the International Convention Centre, Sydney (ICC Sydney) in hybrid format on Tuesday, 8th December - the EEAA Annual General Meeting, CEO Forum and Awards for Excellence - focussing on rebuilding and reconnecting the industry.

The events program was attended by more than 150 industry representatives, in-person and virtually.

The Awards of Excellence saw Alysia McAuliffe from Reed Exhibitions Australia named the winner of the Ungerboeck Richard Geddes Young Achiever Award with the joint winners for the industry Unsung Hero Award being named as Helen Mantellato from ICC Sydney; and Libbie Ray and Juston Prisuda from Event Connected Group.

EEAA Chief Executive, Claudia Sagripanti noted “The events staged yesterday were an important step for the industry, signifying the return of in-person events, as we announced our newly elected board members, undertook a high-level planning session with senior industry representatives and celebrated with the award winners for 2020.

“Commencing with the EEAA Annual General Meeting, we named the new EEAA Executive Committee who will be actively involved in implementing the Rebuild Strategy for the exhibitions and business events industry in 2021 and beyond, as well as the continued roll out of the Association’s marketing activity and programs.

“Two new Members were elected to join the EEAA Board, including Libbie Ray, Director Connected Event Group and Elissa Duke from Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. This result brings greater gender balance to the EEAA Board, adding two new female representatives to the 13 person Executive Committee.”

Sagripanti added “Immediately following the AGM, The CEO Forum - attended by international guest commentators and senior leaders from the industry – we undertook a strategic look at the global and local issues and structural changes across all sectors of the industry. We cemented the building blocks for a strategic framework to take the industry forward in 2021 and beyond.

“The event series was completed with a celebration as we paid tribute to the rising stars and unsung heroes of the industry followed by an opportunity for the Association Members to network face-to-face for the first time since March this year.”

Matt Pearce and David Longman were re-elected to the EEAA Board to represent the Organiser category; Elissa Duke was elected and Helen Mantellato re-elected to represent the Venue category and Libbie Ray was elected to represent the Supplier category.

EEAA President, Spiro Anemogiannis added “I am very much looking forward to working with the newly elected EEAA Executive Committee. We will be heavily involved in implementing the Rebuild Strategy for the exhibitions and business events industry in 2021 and beyond as well as the continued roll out of EEAA marketing activity and programs including the EEAA Sustainability Program and Young Stars Program.

“The election result sees a 50% increase in female representation on the Executive Committee and reflects more closely the gender makeup of our sector. Elissa Duke and Libbie Ray will join Helen Mantellato (who was re-elected) and Felcity Zadro who will form a strong voice for the many talented women in our business.”

The 2020-2021 EEAA Executive Committee comprises:

Organiser representatives:

President: Spiro Anemogiannis - Managing Director, Informa Australia

David Longman - General Manager, Diversified Communications Australia

Matt Pearce – Director, Talk2 Media & Events

Brian Thomas - Managing Director, Reed Exhibitions Australia

Association Organiser representative:

Chris Muir - Chief Executive, Gaming Technologies Association

Venue representatives:

Treasurer: Robert O’Keeffe - General Manager, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

Vice President - Helen Mantellato - Business Development Manager, International and Exhibitions, International Convention Centre Sydney

Elissa Duke – Senior Manager of Business Relaunch, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Nigel Keen - General Manager, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre

Supplier representatives:

Paul Elliott - State Manager, NSW, Harry the Hirer

Libbie Ray – Connected Event Group

Chris Schlueter - Product Manager, Sprintr by AV1

Felicity Zadro - Manager Director, Zadro Agency

Anemogiannis thanked board members Leighton Wood from Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre who resigned earlier in the year, Simon Burgess from Adelaide Convention Centre and Shaun Rae from Exponet for their time, ideas and strategic advice to the Association - who will step down from the board following the ballot result.

The Association used the gathering of its industry leaders to plan for the rebuild of the exhibitions and business events industry in 2021 and beyond.

The CEO Forum topics included key event industry trends in a post COVID era, the rebuild strategy for 2021 and beyond, talent and retention and the role of the EEAA in representing the industry into the future.

Industry panellists included Geoff Donaghy, Chief Executive, ICC Sydney; Libbie Ray, Director, Connected Event Group; Richard Ireland, Managing Director Asia; Clarion Events; JoAnne Kelleway, Chief Executive InfoSalons Group; David Longman, Managing Director, Diversified Communications Australia; Gab Robinson, Chief Executive, Harry the hirer and Steven Yee, Managing Director from Supanova Pop Culture Industries. They presented powerful insights into how their businesses performed over the last 12 months and what we can expect to see for the future.

Several key themes were identified throughout the afternoon’s session, including the role that technology will play in driving the future of the industry, the gaps in capability and skill base - the turnover of skills and new skills required, the importance of strong leadership, strong brand presence and the importance of monitoring global market indicators.

All three events were operated under the ICC Sydney EventSafe Operating Guide - a set of operating principles enabling the safe running of events in an environment transformed by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Image top: EEAA Unsung Hero Winners 2020 L to R Juston Prisuda, Libbie Rae, Melinda Brown, Claudia Sagripanti (EEAA Chief Executive), Helen Mantellato Spiro Anemogiannis (EEAA President); Image above: The EEAA CEO Forum at ICC Sydney