G’day, and thanks for your interest in Meetings & Events Australia’s (MEA’s) upcoming annual conference, Evolve.

 

Not only in 2024 are we back in NSW for the first time since 2017, but we’re back in regional NSW for the first time since 2003! The NSW Hunter Valley – having been the 2003 destination – has long awaited a return of the national events industry. What’s more, some of our industry colleagues weren’t even born the last time MEA was there. Suffice to say, its time!

 

Our conference and Awards Dinner host venue over 12 and 13 June will be Rydges Resort Hunter Valley. People may wish to make the most of the mid-late week scheduling of the event – which follows the public holiday many states have on the Monday earlier that week – by extending their stay and having a pre- or post- event long weekend to more fully experience the destination for personal or professional purposes. Potentially a bit of R&R enjoying the relaxed lifestyle and unique attractions of the Hunter region can be on the cards as a mid-year break. All that’s needed is a tack on of a couple of leave days whilst you’re already there for work – boss permitting of course!

 

We’re continuing our steady rebuild of the event, and this year we’re extending the learning and development program to 2 full days. Complementing this will the social program of a Welcome Reception on the evening of 12 June and the 2023 MEA National Awards Dinner to full stop the event on the Thursday night. 

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We’ve got some great content planned, which will be delivered in a variety of formats. The Program page of this site will be regularly updated as presenters and topics are confirmed. So, keep coming back to stay up to date with how you joining us will be advantageous for your professional growth and development.

 

The Awards dinner returned last year as part of that stage of the greater event rebuild, so attendees should pack to dress to the nines – complete with dancing shoes – because its here to stay. The best of the best across Australia's events industry throughout 2023 will be recognised over 7 categories in a room full of their peers.

 

Throughout Evolve, you'll have plenty of opportunities to catch up with industry friends, make new ones, do business, and create fresh leads at one of the largest gatherings of event professionals in Australia. The social value of our conference is indisputable and unparalleled.

 

I’m a big believer in supporting those who support you, so I commend all our event sponsors as a first point of contact for future events to anyone visiting this site or attending as a delegate. Destination NSW will be an excellent starting point for local needs. To become a sponsor or exhibitor and therefore potentially be the business our site visitors and delegates support, take a look at the prospectus.

 

I’m very much looking forward meeting as many delegates as I can and putting faces to names. Please seek me out and say a g’day back.

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Peter McDonald

CEO, Meetings & Events Australia