Geoff Donaghy
Following a long involvement in Queensland's tourism industry, in 1994 Geoff Donaghy was appointed as Managing Director of the Cairns Convention Centre, Australia's first such international standard facility to be established outside a major capital city.
From its successful opening in 1996 the Cairns Centre has continued to receive regular global accolades and it was acknowledged as the "World's Best Centre" in 2004 by the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC).
Geoff then also oversaw, as its CEO, the 2003 opening of the redeveloped Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, now widely recognized as one of the world's top rugby venues.
Both facilities are operated by leading venue management specialists AEG Ogden, and as their Group Director Convention and Exhibition Centres Geoff is now involved with major project development in the Asia Pacific, India and Middle East regions.
This includes responsibility for the Darwin Convention Centre which opened last year, and the Qatar National Convention Centre under construction in Doha.
In 2005 Geoff was elected as Chairman of peak national body, the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA), and in that role has been instrumental in furthering the profile and advancement of both the organization and the industry. This has included overseeing last year's development of the $20B industry's first comprehensive, long term blueprint in the National Business Events Strategy.
He has served on several other boards including Meeting & Events Australia, both of Queensland's tourism and major events corporations and was an inaugural director, and then chairman, of North Queensland's world heritage rainforest management authority.
Roslyn McLeod OAM, AMM, AFMEA, founder and MD of Tour Hosts, attributes the award to the unfailing support she gets from the teams in her Company who support her. Roslyn has become a global industry name through her Board involvements in MEA, ICCA, IAPCO & INCON plus her many speaking invitations in over 20 countries where she shares her experience and knowledge. She thrives on achieving success for her clients, company and suppliers and is thrilled that MEA bestowed this award on her. 
A member of MEA for over 30 years, Elizabeth Rich managed the association during its formative years. As executive director of the Business Events Council of Australia, she uses her passion and knowledge to lobby on behalf of the industry, in addition to her industry training and consultancy work. A regular on the Asian circuit, in 2007 she conducted training programs in Sri Lanka and Taiwan and manages ICCA's annual AIME Forum. 
