Melbourne Royal crowned best In-House Events Management Team of the Year
14 Jun 2024 / Melbourne Royal News
Melbourne Royal was crowned best In-House Events Management Team of the Year (Corporate) award at the Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) National Awards.
Regarded as the most prestigious events industry Awards program in Australia, the MEA awards presentation held on Thursday 13 June proudly recognised the outstanding efforts of Melbourne Royal’s events team during the 2023 calendar year. Winning this prestigious award is wonderful acknowledgement and recognition for the highly experienced and talented Melbourne Royal team in particular Olivia Belvedere, Senior Event Manager and Event experience team members, Alexandra Day & Jessica Hooppell.
Melbourne Royal’s journey to this national achievement began on 29 April when Melbourne Royal Experiences took home the Victorian state-level award for In-House Corporate Events Management Team of the Year. This victory qualified the team to compete at the national level, where their dedication and exceptional performance in 2023 were celebrated among the best in the industry.
"This prestigious accolade is a testament to the dedication, creativity, and hard work of our entire team. We are wrapped to be acknowledged on a national stage and are committed to continuing to deliver exceptional events that exceed expectations for both our clients and our own internal events," says Hannah von Bibra, Melbourne Royal Executive General Manager, Experiences & Commercial.
"Thank you to the entire Melbourne Royal team for being exceptional. Thank you to our clients who trust us to work with them at Melbourne Showgrounds.”
Pictured: James Gilham, Melbourne Royal Senior Business Development Manager accepting the award on behalf of the Melbourne Royal Experiences team.
Comprised of team members Jessica Hooppell, Alexandra Day and Senior Event Manager Olivia Belvedere, Melbourne Royal's In-House Event Management Team is an integral part of the organisation.
Though small with just three individuals, Melbourne Royal Experiences is highly efficient. Supported by 65 permanent staff members across various departments, including Marketing, Operations, Food & Beverage Awards, Competitions, IT, and Commercial, the team has a robust support system to execute the organisation’s diverse calendar of events.
As part of a not-for-profit organisation, the team focuses on curating and executing 16 signature events annually, showcasing Melbourne Royal’s expertise in agriculture, food, and beverage affairs.
Melbourne Royal Experiences’ portfolio includes prestigious events such as the Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards, Melbourne Royal Australian Distilled Spirits Awards, Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards, and Melbourne Royal Wine Awards.
In 2023, Melbourne Royal’s Food & Beverage Awards Program attracted audiences ranging from 250 to 980 guests, collectively hosting over 3,000 guests. These prestigious awards nights highlight Melbourne Royal’s ability to cater to diverse gatherings and deliver memorable experiences.
A standout example of the team's hard work is the Melbourne Royal Show, an 11-day event that draws over 450,000 visitors annually. During this period, the team manages key media events, including the Show's annual Media Launch and Showbag Launch, as well as VIP functions such as the President's Luncheon and Victorian Cabinet members' luncheons. 2023 was particularly special as the organisation celebrated its 175th anniversary, making these standout events even more memorable.
As a proud member of Meetings & Events Australia for the past three years, Melbourne Royal has actively engaged in the professional development and advancement of the events industry. The organisation’s collaborative efforts with other Royal Shows and contributions to areas such as ticketing, entertainment, and food and beverage management underscore its commitment to fostering excellence within the events community.
Winning the In-House Events Management Team of the Year (Corporate) award at the MEA National Awards is a testament to the team's hard work, creativity, and dedication. Melbourne Royal is immensely proud of this achievement and grateful for the support of the entire Melbourne Royal community. Melbourne Royal looks forward to many more years of creating unforgettable events and setting new standards of excellence in the industry.
Learn more about Melbourne Royal events, and What's On here.