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Board of Directors

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About MEA • Board of Directors• MEA Management & Branch Staff • Committee Roles & Responsibilities

Meetings & Events Australia Ltd is an independent non profit body with a national office and seven branch secretariats around Australia. Each branch runs an education program through out the year. Most activities are open to members and non-members. Contact the particular branch for further details.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors consists of 5 members, inclusive of 3 office bearers and 2 additional executive members.

	Chair
Ms Rhona Walker AFMEA Managing Director - Solution RED View Bio Rhona Walker is the owner operator of Solution RED and Avantage and has a very strong background in event support within the hospitality and venue environment. Rhona played a major role in the induction of audio visual services into hotels in Victoria and around Australia during the early 1990's. In 2001 Rhona made the decision to open her own Audio Visual and Themeing company and in 2008 became the owner of Avantage along with the opening of new offices in both Sydney and on the Gold Coast. Although her business life is extremely busy, Rhona finds time to mentor and coach students from all major TAFE colleges and universities who are entering the meetings and events industry. In 2006 Rhona was recognised for her business success as a Telstra Business Womens Finalist and in 2009 was named Industry Person of the Year, Asia Pacific.
	Vice Chair
Mr Simon Baggs AFMEA CEO & Creative Director - Lateral Marketing and Management Pty Ltd View Bio Simon Baggs is the founder and CEO of Lateral Marketing & Management, which for the past 15 years has been producing upscale life style events, meetings and conferences for multinationals, associations and prestigious brands. Lateral writes, produces and markets live theatre public events for touring celebrities, chefs and wine experts. Prior to founding Lateral, Simon was the Director of Marketing of the ATP, the worldwide governing body of men’s tennis and Director of Marketing of Tourism NSW. Simon is the author of ‘Extraordinary Events,’ a book on relationship marketing through events. The second edition of the book is due to be published in 2012. Simon is the National Vice President of MEA, serves on the National MEA Board, is a past National President of Sponsorship Australasia and was elected to the Sponsorship Australasia Hall of Fame in 2011.

	Treasurer
Mr Phil Holmes AMM, AFMEA Director - Convention Wise Pty Ltd Branch Chair – Tasmania View Bio Phil has been Director of *Convention Wise Wise* (a meetings and event management company) in Hobart for 8 years. He was a teacher for over 25 years and has a Master of Educational Studies from the University of Tasmania. He has travelled widely, managing a Swiss ski village, course directing at an Outward Bound School in USA and taking school trips to Nepal and all around Australia. He has served as a National Councillor for the Australian College of Educators, as Deputy Chair of the Tasmanian Sail Training Association and is currently on the Tasmanian MEA State Committee and, as a National Director of MEA, is the MEA National Treasurer.
	Board Members
Ms Anne Jamieson Director of Sales and Marketing - Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre View Bio Rhona Walker is the owner operator of Solution RED and Avantage and has a very strong background in event support within the hospitality and venue environment. Rhona played a major role in the induction of audio visual services into hotels in Victoria and around Australia during the early 1990's. In 2001 Rhona made the decision to open her own Audio Visual and Themeing company and in 2008 became the owner of Avantage along with the opening of new offices in both Sydney and on the Gold Coast. Although her business life is extremely busy, Rhona finds time to mentor and coach students from all major TAFE colleges and universities who are entering the meetings and events industry. In 2006 Rhona was recognised for her business success as a Telstra Business Womens Finalist and in 2009 was named Industry Person of the Year, Asia Pacific. Anne’s experience is extensive and includes senior executive roles with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Novotel Melbourne on Collins, InterContinental Hotel Groups, and Radisson Hotels Asia Pacific. Her accolades include Best Performance and Risk Taker Starwood Hotels and Resorts 2007, MEA Hall of Fame for Best Conference Venue, AHA Award for Best Hotel Local 2007 whilst at The Westin; and winner of the InterContinental Hotels Group “Sales Team of the Year” for impact and influence. Anne is currently Director of Sales and Marketing for the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, a committee member of the Australian Associations Project and sits on the board for Meeting Events Australia (MEA). Anne brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to MEA.
Ms Susan Ryman-Kiernan AFMEA Managing Director - Wise Connections View Bio Susan Ryman-Kiernan has over 25 years event management experience - planning and organizing events all over the world. In 1998 she established Wise Connections a boutique provider of conference, business events and incentive travel management services. Susan has delivered conferences, travel incentives and corporate events in over 30 countries around the world including Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa, Europe, Scandinavia, the Americas and the Caribbean. A strong advocate of professional development within the Meetings and Events Industry, Susan has been actively involved with MEA since 1999, was Chair of the Victoria Branch Committee from 2007–2010 and is currently a National Councillor and member of the MEA National Board of Directors. Rosemarie Sama has more than fifteen years experience in the business travel, incentive, meetings and events industry. Rosemarie is the Event Director for the multi-award winning event AIME, the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo held annually in Melbourne. Under her direction AIME has been recognised globally as a major international industry event and the most significant event of its kind in the Asia Pacific region. AIME delivers the best in business opportunities, professional education and networking opportunities. In addition, the event has become a platform for the industry to share ideas, for leaders to gather and a venue for the next generation of meetings and incentive organisers to learn key skills. Rosemarie is recognised by her peers for her impeccable business acumen, leadership skills, tenaciousness, passion, drive and commitment to the event, and indeed the industry.
	MEA Chief Executive Officer
Ms Linda P Gaunt Chief Executive Officer - Meetings & Events Australia Linda Gaunt is the Chief Executive Officer of Meetings & Events Australia - MEA (formerly the Meetings Industry Association of Australia). Linda has held this position for the past three and a half years, during which time she has driven a positive change management process for the association. As Chief Executive Officer of MEA, Linda is a member of the following Boards and Councils: • The Industry Advisory Board to Tourism Australia • The Industry Advisory Council to Service Skills Australia • The Virgin Blue Industry Advisory Board • The Business Events Council of Australia • The Federal Minister for Tourisms Business Events Strategy 2020 Group Linda is also a member of: • The Australian Institute of Management • International Special Events Society Prior to taking up her current position in 2005, Linda was the Deputy CEO and Director of Education and Training of the Australia Institute of Management. Linda is the Telstra 2005 South Australian Business Woman of the Year as well as the South Australian Hudson and Community Business Woman of the Year 2005. Born in Belfast Northern Ireland and completing her schooling in Adelaide, Linda holds post-graduate studies through to a doctorate in business administration. Linda is enjoying the challenges and rewards that holding the role of Chief Executive of MEA has brought, and believes her background working within Association Management with various industry bodies will assist her drive MEA to greater heights ongoing. One of Linda's key strengths is her understanding of membership organisations and the importance she places on maintaining and growing membership. Each of the organisations that she has worked for in the past have been membership based and she understands well the commitment necessary to represent members at all levels and to provide value to members to retain their commitment to the organisation.

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