Australia’s top event professionals recognised at MEA national awards ceremony

Industry association Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) has celebrated the achievements of the industry professionals during 2023 at its annual awards dinner, this year held at the Rydges Resort Hunter Valley.

Hosted by Master of Ceremonies Luke Hannan, the 2023 MEA National Awards presentation ceremony bookended MEA’s annual conference, Evolve 2024.

More than 200 guests saw 32 awards presented, including the bestowal of three Platinum Awards to recipients who achieved the highest score via the judging process within their respective greater categories.

Special congratulations went to: MEA Platinum Company of the Year – Forum Group Events & Marketing; MEA Platinum Event of the Year – ICMS Australasia – Meeting of the Mines 2023, and to MEA Platinum Event Professional of the Year – Tiffany Lo from ICMS Australasia.

MEA CEO Peter McDonald said: “We were able to showcase performances of distinction across the breadth of the Australian events industry during 2023. It’s my hope that every national, as well as state and territory, finalist and winner will use their peer determined acknowledgement to champion and leverage themselves as they conduct business.”

MEA’s Outstanding Contribution Award was presented to Ian Whitworth who has had a distinguished career in the business events industry, building up Scene Change over the last 17 years into a significant premium national AV company. He is also highly regarded as an ‘out there’ marketing icon, author and blogger.

Two businesses entered MEA’s Hall of Fame: Harry the hirer for Exhibition Services and Congress Australia for Specialist Services and Suppliers.