Mellisa is CEO of Meetings & Events Australia (MEA). The largest and oldest association for event professionals in Australia; dedicated to representing the broader events sector and over 200,000 events professionals who stage, produce, manage, support and supply the 480,000+ events held nationally each year. With a vision to lead, empower, and connect people and businesses for the aggregate betterment of the events industry, MEA celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2025. Supporting members by providing the accredited education as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) for the Diploma of Event Management, skills development and delivery of accredited short courses, the MEA Mentor program connecting Mentees with Mentors across Australia, the industry accreditation program for Accredited Event Professional (AEP), networking events around Australia through ClubMEA, annual conferences with programs by industry for industry, and recognition of achievements through state awards programs and the MEA National Awards held annually. Mellisa is thrilled to join the MEA panel at AIME 2025 and meet conference attendees from across the events industry.