EEAA YOUNG STARS SHINE AT MELBOURNE SHOWGROUNDS DEGUSTATION DINNER WITH LEADER KATE SMITH

By Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia, 30 July, 2014

Media Release

30 July 2014

EEAA YOUNG STARS SHINE AT MELBOURNE SHOWGROUNDS DEGUSTATION DINNER WITH LEADER KATE SMITH

The Exhibition & Event Association of Australasia’s (EEAA) Young Stars & Leaders Table returned to Melbourne for the second time in 2014, with an evening of networking and fine dining on 24 July at Melbourne Showgrounds.

It was a night of Victorian flavours with all produce and wines sourced locally for the special mentoring dinner that put the spotlight on young talent from the Victorian-based Members of the EEAA.

The event provided an opportunity for those under 35 working in exhibitions and events to network, build business relationships and hear from Kate Smith, Managing Director of WALDRONSMITH Management.

EEAA Chief Executive, Joyce DiMascio, said Kate Smith provided an inspirational account of her 30 year professional life in business events.

“It was another sell-out event and our Young Stars were enthralled by Kate’s humility, honesty and candour. It was a motivating and inspiring dinner with a true leader and hosted by EEAA Member, Melbourne Showgrounds.

The evening consisted of networking drinks followed by a five-course degustation menu prepared by Create Catering & Events, Melbourne Showgrounds’ catering company.

During the evening Kate shared her valuable knowledge of the industry starting off with her background working for the Hilton hotel. Kate then covered how she formed WALDRONSMITH Management with her business partner Fiona Waldron, juggling family life alongside running a business and also providing valuable insights into leadership and personal branding.

Young Stars committee member Nicola Allen, Marketing Manager at Informa Exhibitions said: “This was my second time at a EEAA Young Stars event and again I was absolutely blown-away by the valuable advice given by the guest speaker and the networking opportunities with fellow Young Stars in the Australian exhibition and event industry.”

“Aspects such as considering your attitude, being a team player, continuous learning, grabbing every opportunity and essentially ‘putting yourself out there’, like Kate Smith did when she launched her own company, was particularly inspiring to me.” Nicola said.

The EEAA Young Stars program recognises the outstanding work of younger staff in the exhibition and events industry. It is designed to encourage their development and give them access to inspiring leaders. It was launched two years ago by the Association.

The Young Stars program will be running a number of other events for the remainder of 2014 including the EEAA Young Stars Professional Development Breakfast Seminar alongside Inspire EX on 19 August in Sydney, a EEAA Young Stars & Leaders Table in Sydney in October and a EEAA Young Stars pre-conference catch-up on 19 November, prior to the EEAA 2014 Conference and Awards for Excellence in Melbourne.

Source: Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia