May 27, 2022 | By Joyce DiMascio | Image: EEAA president Nicole Walker | Credit: Oneill Photographics
The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) board has been locked in for 2022, with Nicole Walker staying on in the president’s role for a second year at the helm.
New appointees to the board are Dan Londero, co-founder of new company Turnkey Event Solutions, and Nigel Keen of the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. Darryl Jeffrey, general manager of Sydney Showground, who joined the EEAA board earlier this year, is staying on in his role.
The new and re-elected board members represent two from the organiser sector, one from the supplier sector and four from the venue sector.
With Libbie Ray of Connected Event Group not renominating, only three of the 13 board positions are held by women.
After a period of major cost cutting necessitated by COVID-related revenue and membership losses industry sources have confirmed that the EEAA has better secured its financial position. The organisation is rebuilding the association and the services to its members.
The EEAA announced the appointments or reappointments of seven board members and reflected on the challenges of 2021 and on charting the road ahead at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Wednesday night.
Also on the board for another term are Matt Pearce, CEO of Talk2 Media and Events, David Longman, managing director of Diversified Communications Australia, Helen Mantellato, senior manager and business development manager at ICC Sydney and Elissa Duke, head of Lean Agile Centre of Excellence at Melbourne Conventions and Exhibition Centre.
These board members will serve with Walker, CEO of Arinex; Paul Elliott, state manager for NSW at Harry the hirer, Spiro Anemogiannis, CEO of Informa; Rod Peter, CEO of Coleman Group; and Rodney Cox, director at Delaro.
Ray, CEO of Connected Event Group, has stepped down from the board due to her bustling business.
EEAA president Walker said the organisation had an outstanding group of experienced directors to lead our organisation and industry.
“It is an exciting time for our industry with a multitude of opportunities ahead of us. We will continue to be challenged with unexpected circumstances; however, we have adapted, and I believe we will continue to do so.
“The world is reconnecting and people are remembering the joy and business benefits of meeting face to face.
“We have all renewed our focus to continue advocating for the people of this industry, ensuring our value and financial contributions to the economy are known and appreciated.
“We will continue to listen and work together to create a stronger and more vibrant industry,” Walker said.
The association’s CEO, Domenic Genua, thanked the organisation’s partners and members for their contribution and commitment to the industry.
“We have a great network of organisations who share our passion for the events industry and have been working tirelessly to get us back on track.
“We look forward to continuing to work with them over the next year where we will no doubt face challenges, but we will get through them together.
“The comradery in the events industry is unparalleled and will see us in good stead for years to come,” Genua said.
As part of the AGM, the new EEAA website was revealed highlighting the beginning of a new chapter for the organisation.