In this final instalment in our decade-by-decade series covering Arinex’ 50-year history, we look at the defining moments of the 2010s to now.
During the 2010s, Arinex enhanced its event management capabilities by leveraging new technologies, expanding its reach and cementing its commitment to sustainable practices, all while successfully managing a series of major conferences and events.
At the beginning of the decade, the company contributed to the delivery of the Lions Club International Convention 2010 by working on eight out of the 11 contracted services with the Lions Club Chicago in-house team. In the same year, Arinex introduced an event mobile app and ePoster technology to its suite of electronic event management platforms, providing clients with cutting-edge event management solutions.
In 2011, Arinex opened its Perth office, expanding its operations and strengthening its presence in Western Australia. However, the global economy and the travel and business events industry were affected by the tragic events of 9/11.
As the decade evolved, Arinex continued to grow and innovate. In 2013, Roslyn was awarded the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) Industry Person of the Year Award, recognising her significant achievements in the business events industry. In 2014, the company launched advanced abstract management software and acquired Sapro, a conference management company based in Adelaide.
Among the events Arinex successfully managed in 2016 were the 18th International Conference & Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG18) in Perth and the 16th International Congress on Immunology in Melbourne, which attracted over 12,000 participants combined.
Arinex founder Roslyn McLeod OAM remembers these events as standout milestones of the 2010s due to their scale and global relevance.
“LNG18 was particularly significant due to the importance of the LNG industry to Australia’s economy, and the International Congress of Immunology was on the eve of its global significance to the immunology community with Covid,” she said.
In 2018, Roslyn was among 10 women presented with a Global Inspirational Woman award by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) during its 57th Congress in Dubai. “I feel extremely fortunate to have been able to attend this global event for so many years and attribute much of my personal growth to networking with so many industry greats in the ICCA environment,” she said at the time.
In 2019, Arinex intensified its commitment to sustainability by implementing a formal Sustainability Policy and joining the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) Plastics Pledge to significantly reduce plastic usage at events. That same year, Roslyn was honoured with the Paul Flackett IMEX Academy Award in Frankfurt for her outstanding contributions to the meetings industry.
The start of the 2020s brought unprecedented challenges for the events industry, with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying government-imposed restrictions on travel and social gatherings. Nevertheless, Arinex remained resilient by embracing innovation and adapting to the changing landscape.
In 2021, Roslyn’s retirement and the appointment of Nicole Walker as the new owner and managing director marked a significant milestone in the company’s history. Nicole had joined Arinex in 2014 and managed numerous large-scale events while demonstrating strong leadership capability.
In the same year, Arinex celebrated being inducted into MEA’s Hall of Fame for the third consecutive time, making it the first event management company to achieve this feat. Nicole was also elected as the President of Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA), an honour for an upcoming leader in this large and important sector of business events.
In 2022, Arinex achieved a new milestone by becoming the first event management company in Australia to earn carbon-neutral certification, showcasing its dedication to sustainable and ethical business practices. Also in that year, Roslyn’s remarkable career accomplishments were recognised with an Honorary Life Membership from ICCA.
As Arinex celebrates its 50-year anniversary in 2023, Managing Director Nicole Walker said the company continues to look towards the future with optimism.
“Moving forward, we remain committed to building genuine connection and success stories for our clients through inspiring experiences,” she said.
“I am excited for the future of Arinex and the opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to evolve and grow.”
This concludes our series delving into Arinex’ remarkable 50-year journey. Be sure to catch up on previous articles and slideshows highlighting the memorable events of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.