As events bounced back in 2022, our industry peers provided Arinex with ample opportunities to speak with them about everything from sustainability to talent acquisition. Here’s the highlights.

Arinex Managing Director, Nicole Walker, kicked off the year by attending the Get Local Expo in Sydney in February. Nicole is a Get Local Ambassador and gave a presentation on top tips to consider when turning your event face-to-face.

In March, Nicole attended a Business Events Australia (BEA) and Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) Workshop at which she was interviewed by business strategist Rosie Yeo on the role of sustainability in progressing the industry’s recovery.

In April, Nicole attended a Hyatt MICE Advisory Meeting to speak on sustainable events and what hotel partners can do to support meeting planners and their clients. Also that month, Arinex Client Relationship and Event Revenue Manager, Virginia Loyola attended Maximum Occupancy 2022 where she spoke about how accommodation providers can leverage the PCO relationship.

In June, Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) invited Nicole to the 2022 Evolve conference where she joined representatives from Qantas and Lateral Events on a panel to discuss all things sustainability including why it was important for Arinex to become Australia’s first carbon neutral event management company.

July was a busy month that began with Nicole sitting down with the Melbourne Convention Bureau for a video interview. She commented on Melbourne’s strengths as a sustainable business events destination and how sustainability can be incorporated in every step of the value chain. Later that month, Nicole gave a sustainability-focused online presentation to the Medical Colleges of Australia and attended SPICE Events Uncovered where she joined a panel themed ‘Events with a Conscience’.

Also that month, the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) held its latest Impact Dialogue event. Arinex’ Senior Event Operations Manager, Alessandra Damant contributed to a panel discussion on issues surrounding talent acquisition, retention and development of meeting professionals.

In September, Arinex was invited by the Brisbane Economic Development Agency to join another panel discussion on sustainability. Our Marketing Executive and Sustainability Officer, Brittany Batchelor, explained why Arinex places importance on sustainability and some of the practical ways it has been embedded into the business.

November produced a personal highlight for Nicole when she delivered a keynote address at the International College of Management Sydney Graduation Ceremony. She spoke to the next generation of the industry about dedication, perseverance and the value of hard work.

Later that month, Nicole participated in a panel discussion about labour shortages, in-person attendance levels, and sustainability at an EventsAir conference.

As President of the Exhibition and Events Association Australasia (EEAA) Nicole was heavily involved in the EEAA 2022 Conference, which took place in December. Nicole gave a welcome address and spoke on a panel moderated by EEAA Emerging Leaders.

Lastly, December saw The PCO Association hold its 2022 conference in Hobart, themed ‘A breath of fresh air: fresh ideas, fresh thinking’. Virgina Loyola spoke on a panel about reducing the carbon footprint of events.

It was a pleasure to learn from and engage with our industry peers throughout the year, and we look forward to meeting again in 2023.