Welcome back to MEA members who spent last week at AIME. I am you are all busy following up the contacts that you have made in Melbourne. Our March ‘Networking Masterclass’ on 5 March is designed exactly for this purpose, to enhance the connections we make everyday in our work and personal lives – be sure to

The New Year brings many new job opportunities – so check out the ‘Members on the Move’ article in our newsletter and join me in congratulating those who have landed a new job for 2007.

I look forward to seeing you out and about at the many MEA events on offer in the coming months especially the ACT Awards night - the jewel in the ACT MEA member events crown.

Be warned - you'll need to wear your dancing shoes!

Regards

Dana Busic
ACT MEA Chair
 

Andrew Shaw - Assistant General Manager - Staging Connections

What is going on at Staging Connections at the moment?
Staging Connections is continuing to make advances in the global market with acquisitions in China, Fiji, China, Singapore and Dubai…..We have also acquired ‘Exhibitions and Trade Fairs’, known as EFT. They specialise in developing, managing and organising both trade shows and consumer exhibitions including the National 4x4 Show, Fishing & Outdoor Expo, Sydney Motorcycle Show, ENTECH, the premier trade show for audiovisual and Australian Events Expo.

We now do concepts, styling, set design, entertainment, multimedia, linen, exhibitions, lighting, sound and vision. So, that is a little of what is going on.

How did you get into the business of AV?
I was working at UC in the curriculum resources centre (Library) part time and I started helping the AV guy on occasions back in 1984.

Any career highlights you would like to share?
One of my career highlights was managing the audiovisual requirements for the American President’s luncheon at the Great Hall inside Parliament House during the 1998 Clinton visit. This project required effective thinking and decision making as every detail from security to delivery of equipment into Parliament House.
 
An event such as this was not flexible and had numerous deadlines as security issues were of highest concern…. as one may expect.

Did you go away for Christmas?  Where did you go?
No…no time, next year!

What CD is playing in your car right now?
Sound track from Casino Royale as I get around in my Maseraticorolla. What CD player!

Any New Years Resolutions?
Giving up smoking -  again!!!

So it is true that you have arranged a Maserati car as part of the JAMES BOND themed MEA Awards night?
This would be correct, borrowed it from a good friend of mine 006 and before you ask, no you cannot have a test drive……. if you do get the Maserati keys on the night,
007 will have a licence to kill.

Regards
Andrew
 

Cathryn Hendrickson at AIME in Melbourne

ACTION
Since her marriage, Nektaria Poulakis has changed her name to Nektaria Stavropoulos. She no longer does business development or manages charters for ACTION.  Her new role is working on a special project called TravelSmart Commuter and she will be based at ACTION while completing this project until July 2007.

Australian Institute of Sport
Lois Foredam has left the Australian Institute of Sport and is now heading up a Brisbane law firm. Dijanna Ratajkoski is leaving the Australian Institute of Sport to work as the National Events Manager for Comcare Australia.
 
Australian War Memorial
Dennis Stockman is leaving the National Museum of Australia to work for the Australian War Memorial as Education Officer within the Public Programs and Education Section. Mel Widmer has replaced Mary-Lou Pooley as the Marketing Manager at the Australian War Memorial.

Canberra Convention Bureau
Amanda Hogg and Penny Nowlan have left the Canberra Convention Bureau and are now working in the public sector. Jemma Davie has been employed as a Business Development Executive at the Bureau. Cathryn Hendrickson is now in the role of Business Development Manager.

Doma Group
Hotel Realm is the new name for the Doma Barton property. Joseph Griffin, the General Manager, and Belinda Brandon-Baker, Marketing Executive have left Doma Hotels. Belinda is now in a role with the Tourism Industry Council.

Hyatt Catering at Parliament House
Following her marriage Christine Schwoerer has changed her name to Christine Klement.
 

We’ve got a new story to tell… Doma Hotels is about to open Hotel Realm, the new five star development in the parliamentary triangle.

Hotel Realm offers 158 hotel and suite style accommodation rooms in Barton and combines contemporary elegance with avant-garde design. The hotel is due to open in August 2007 and has a conference floor with seating capacity of 800 delegates. The team is actively taking conference bookings for October 2007 onwards.

The National Ballroom is located on the first floor of the hotel and can be divided into four pillar-free spaces all with natural light and balconies.  The versatility of the ballroom floor, the breathtaking Atrium or the outdoor High Courtyard allows everything from elegant dinners to tradeshows and products launches. Take a look for yourselves and visit www.realmcanberra.com.au

Contact Justin Bisa at Doma Hotels on 02 6228 0145 or email functions@domahotelscanberra.com.au for more information.
 

Over the last few months there has been much interest in MEA’s intention to become a registered training organisation. A number of people have asked exactly what this means and how the association will benefit from the initiative.

A registered training organisation is an organisation delivering Professional Development that is registered with the government as an RTO so that it is able to issue Australian Qualification Framework qualifications in the vocational education and training sector and to deliver and/or assess associated training.

Registration as an RTO is like a "stamp of approval" by the registering body (government) and provides recognition as a credible training provider/assessor that meets national standards. The registering body will conduct an initial evaluation to appraise against requirements and will conduct periodic audits to maintain quality outcomes. Currently MEA is undergoing this exciting and arduous process.

At MEA we believe that an RTO has a competitive edge in the training market as it can issue nationally recognised qualifications which are highly valued by employers and are sought after by those developing a career. Accreditation as an RTO will enable MEA members to continue to attend highly valuable sessions, with upgraded content and delivery, with the added benefit of the opportunity to be assessed on their competency in this subject in order to gain a Statement of Attainment and therefore credit towards a national qualification. The member can elect to be assessed or not assessed, dependant on their personal and career objectives.

For further information you are welcome to contact the MEA National office on (02) 9929 5400 or training@mea.org.au
 

Mark these dates in your calendar:

	Monday, 5th March 2007
	Collaborate or Perish. A Networking Masterclass
	Time:    2.30pm – 5.00pm followed by drinks Venue: The Brassey Hotel	To Register Click Here
			Robyn Henderson Global Networking Specialist

	Wednesday, 7th March 2007
	Essentials for Successful Meetings and Events
	Time:    8.30am – 5.30pm Venue: Clifton Quality Suites on Northbourne	To Register Click Here

	Thursday, 15th March 2007
	ACT Awards Dinner
	Time:    from 7pm Venue: Boathouse by the Lake	To Register Click Here

Are you planning to go to the 20th Annual Meetings & Events Industry National Conference to be held from 1 to 3 April 2007 in Hobart?

Do you want to be invited to exclusive MEA functions like the MEA Accredited (AMM/AIMM) and Associate-Fellows (AFMEA) Member Cocktail Reception at the conference?

Do you have 3 years experience in the meetings industry and have accumulated a swag of MEA professional development points over the years?

If so, have a look at some of the fantastic benefits you receive from being a MEA Accredited Meetings Manager (AMM), Accredited In-House Meetings Manager (AIMM) or Associate-Fellows of MEA (AFMEA).

Go to the MEA website at http://www.meetingsevents.com.au/accreditation or contact me at p.mckay@nma.gov.au for more information.

Paul McKay
Accreditation & Recognition Portfolio
MEA ACT