With its reconciliation journey now firmly underway, Arinex is aspiring to become a more inclusive and cultural respectful business – and given the organisation oversees the planning and delivery of some of Australia’s largest and most significant business events, the flow-on effects to the rest of the industry and the wider pool of other industries with which Arinex engages has the potential to be substantial.
Arinex will review its anti-discrimination policies and establish or strengthen relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations.
With its RAP in place, Arinex moves from the Reflect phase of reconciliation to focus on the three following phases – Innovate – in which reconciliation initiatives are implemented – Stretch – in which reconciliation becomes embedded in an organisation – and Elevate, which would see Arinex become a reconciliation leader.
“Reconciliation Australia welcomes Arinex to the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program with the formal endorsement of its inaugural Reflect RAP,” said CEO of Reconciliation Australia, Karen Mundine.
“Arinex joins a network of more than 2,200 corporate, government, and not-for-profit organisations that have made a formal commitment to reconciliation through the RAP program.”
Arinex CEO Nicole Walker said a diverse and inclusive workplace was “vital” to the continued success of the business, which is celebrating its 50th year in 2023.
“The 50th anniversary of Arinex this year prompted us to reflect on our past, reassess our identity and determine our future aspirations,” said Walker.
“As one of the largest international event management companies in Australia, we recognise that our success is dependent on our people.
“Promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace culture is vital to our continued success and we acknowledge that there is much work to be done to better understand and incorporate First Nations peoples, histories and cultures into our day-to-day operations.
“We also look forward to continuing to showcase our First Nations cultures to global audiences at our international events.”
Elsewhere in Australia’s events sphere, in 2018, ICC Sydney became the first convention centre in the nation to have a RAP, while FCM Meetings and Events, launched its first RAP in 2021 as part of Flight Centre Travel Group.
*This article was updated on August 25, 2023 to reflect FCM Meetings and Events’ RAP and that Arinex is among the first – but not the very first – to have a RAP.
