An Introduction

With Perth and Sydney events complete what's next?

After a busy couple of months including the Perth and Sydney conference and the launch of this year’s Diploma qualifications, and as we head into a quieter period before our Canberra conference in July, this is the time of year at EAN when we all get to catch up on projects we are working on, and, most importantly, to reflect on where we are headed and make any changes to existing plans or put new ones in place as a consequence.

One of the main things we’ve been reflecting on is “what next?!” As we detailed last month, this new series of conferences sees a project of development that is several years in the making come full circle and achieve closure as we share the outcomes from the research projects into KPIs, Position Descriptions, a new ‘Mind Map’ for the EA role in addition to some detailed guidelines into how to assess the intangible benefits of the role with your executive and have them also examine these. As mentioned, all these started percolating in our discussions and research several years ago after we produced The EA and PA Skills Tasks and Levels Matrices (login and go to https://www.executiveassistant.com/EA-PA-Templates-Guides) and started creating our different diploma qualifications. Now however, we feel that we have reached a temporary zenith in the research in that area, (don’t worry, we will be revisiting these work and role related issues again soon) but for now are looking for some new areas for research.

One theme that keeps coming up again and again in our discussions is your Executives and the potential for us to examine what we might do to help them discover how to get the most out of their working relationship with their assistant

– or as we refer to you, the Manager of their executive office. Yeah, we know, good luck eh!! But to us this is the natural next progression. We can do all we want to help EAs and PAs but if they continue to get push back from their executives and broader organisations, as we know some do, then should we be looking at what more we can do to help out in terms of increasing understanding and knowledge amongst executives. From one or half-day conferences for Executives to partnering with an executive group to disseminate ideas and hold discussion sessions, we’ve had plenty of suggestions on what we might do. But we keep coming back to the same old question – how many of them would be prepared to listen. Our belief is that a great EA and executive partnership can deliver double digit improvements to the productivity of the pairing when they get to work in flow, and that this increase can be worth an incredible amount to both parties as well as to their organisation, so our challenge will be how to package that and sell that argument to the executives in a meaningful way.

So wish us luck – that’s our challenge to think about over the coming weeks. And who knows, we may get nowhere, but no matter what, it will be invaluable in terms of what it teaches us about how you work together with your executive. Also in this month’s edition, as well as our usual amazing articles from our partners around Australia, as well as some of our exhibitors and past speakers, we also have a special article from our Training Academy featuring a truly sensational testimonial from one of our students. In many ways it encapsulates and deals with so many of the questions we often hear about the benefits of a qualification and what is involved, so we thought it worth including within a broader article that also examines many of the other of those issues. Next month we will be including a similar article on our upcoming conferences but, in the meantime, we hope you enjoy this edition and look forward to seeing you at some of our different functions or educational forums soon.

and the winner is...
congratulations to our passport program winners from the Perth 2016 conference. See the winners list yourself using the link below.

Ahh yes. Who remembers that phrase? The phrase that marked an era of new-age rap, and the juxtaposition of the words Ice and Vanilla. And it's still kind of, sort of, perhaps, maybe even just a little bit relevant? It was Robert Matthew Van Winkle! (Yes! That's his real name!) who coined the stage name "Vanilla Ice" back in 1989 and took "hip-hop" to the masses with one not so little track. And despite the song's original content, there is something that I think we can take from it... For one, it's still one of the "greatest bad songs" you'll hear! Don't believe me? Go to Youtube and search for "Ice Ice Baby". What say you? It will always be a tragically bad song. But it's catchy, it's fun and like many great things, it's built on top of a solid foundation – in this case, the late David Bowie (and Queen's) fine, fine song - Under Pressure.

In retrospect, in 1989, it was impossible for this song to fail. It was just the right mix of new and different with a familiar underpinning. Now, some great songs have great underlying messages. But tragically good songs can too! The simple opening statement of "Stop. Collaborate and Listen" is iconic to this day. I've used it freely in organisations over the years - in meetings and otherwise. It usually results in a smile from those around - most pick up on the reference, but it is an excellent ice-breaker. It is that one crucial message to: Stop. Take a breath. Discuss. Negotiate. Resolve. And most importantly - listen to the people around you. Entertain their thinking. And respond in your own calming, rational manner. Ask yourself how many times a day do EAs need to stop, collaborate and listen? Do you do it enough? Can you spread this 1989 contagion of a phrase? Try it today. Try it tomorrow. And, if you get bored with that one, maybe look elsewhere in this great song. Perhaps think about how you are the true problem solvers, because:

"If there was a problem, yo, we'll solve it. Check out the hook while the EA revolves it"

About the Author:

Shane Garrott is EAN's Education and Training Manager and DJ to the EA

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In a nutshell, the coach journey from Sydney to the Central Coast is approx. 1.5 hours. We are working with an actor and stand-up comedian who will meet the coach (as a surprise) at a half way point (just near the Hawkesbury River). The coach pulls into the rest stop incase anyone needs to use the bathroom, and as the coach is departing the hitch hiker (he has a number of aliases – ie drunk fisherman, football hooligan - also tailors to the company, for Insurance, wears a neck brace and has walking stick) bangs on the doors and is let in. Obviously the organiser knows what’s happening (and maybe 1-2 others). After the initial shock to all, he then proceeds to tell jokes/tales/stories (again tailored to the business, and even has knowledge of certain staff on the coach which has been provided) for the rest of the journey, which is approx. 35mins.

The idea came about to break up the coach journey (which can be perceived as "let's get there already") and have some fun on the way.

A wonderful few days spent at the EAN Sydney Congress at Luna Park - our stand showcasing how everyone's a winner, epitomising the way we remove all the stress, providing unrivalled expertise, support and connections, all in the one place - essentially taking on the role of your very own free 'conference and events PA' And of course our incredible, SOLD OUT inaugural International Women’s Day 2016 luncheon on 8 March held at Peninsula, Docklands in Melbourne. Guests were absolutely enthralled by Turia Pitt's attitude, energy and inspirational keynote on 'Realising Potential'. Lively discussion followed with a diverse panel of women leaders debating the IWD2016 theme 'Pledge for Parity'.

An excerpt from a thought-provoking piece by panelist Sadhana Smiles (Harcourts Victoria CEO and Founder, Links Fiji) was included to take away and reflect upon with our program. You can read a copy here How much closer are we to parity in 2016? and Auctioneers Adrian and Nikki 'held the room' throughout, a fabulous array of prizes raising almost $17,000 for m.a.d.woman foundation. Nearly tripling our fundraising target, an emotional Melina Schamroth (CEO and Founder) was incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support. Congrats to our EAN 'VIP' ticket winner, Kristie Rolfe (Australian Pharmaceutical Industries) it was an absolute pleasure to meet you and Emanuela. We trust you both enjoyed the day as much as we did! So pleased to extend additional complimentary tickets to EAN Members: Sarah from Macquarie, Cindy from NAB, plus thanks to all who gathered your colleagues getting tables together. Can’t wait to see you all next year! For those who missed the fun in person, you can view the event photo album here.

We hope you had a wonderful Easter break, and we look forward to working with you in the near future. In the meantime, grab your favourite bevvie, and enjoy a few hot tips provided by great friends and another of our many supplier partners, Great Expectation speaker Tony Wilson below. Find out how the VenueShop.com can make your job easier and your next event an amazing success. EAN members receive exclusive offers* including when booking talent with Great Expectation! via our website or your Ultimate Conferences and Events consultant. Just remember to quote the EAN offer when enquiring.

The vast majority of us are under some sort of stress. Make no mistake. Part of the problem is that we've become used to it - so it doesn't seem like a big deal.

As an office professional I am sure you understand this more than most. There are so many moving parts to coordinate, and if you’ve got multiple people to support at once, this must exacerbate the effect. But like most people, you’re probably finding that you need to get more done with less resources. So here are three simple things you can do to reduce stress and help you work with more focus.

1. Plan your day

One of the best rituals you can form is to plan your day. And I mean every hour of your day. If you’ve got two hours at your desk from 8-10am, then plan exactly what you are going to do in that two hours. Another 90 minutes from 1.30 until 3pm? Plan what tasks are going to get done in that time. You see, when we allocate a future time to do important tasks, our bodies and brains treat those things like they are already done, reducing our stress chemicals dramatically, and freeing up mental energy to do the stuff that makes us valuable.

2. Big things first

Every morning, before you get into the office, know the top three or four things that are absolutely most important for you to achieve that day. Then quite simply, make those the first things that you work on in the morning. This has two effects, firstly it stops us from getting distracted by the small, easy wins that seem important right now. Secondly, it leaves less time for us to do the smaller things. This forces us to work with more intensity and you’ll find you get those smaller things done in less time. And here’s another tip on this subject. Don’t start your work day with your morning coffee. Start your day by achieving something important and then go get a coffee as a reward. This will provide some motivation and help reinforce the behaviour.

3. Slow down

When we operate on high alert all day - rushing from deadline to meeting to family commitments - our stress chemicals stay elevated to keep us 'up', so that we can maintain the level of attention and focus that we need to do all these things. But when we take moments to slow down, it allows these chemicals to retreat, and allows critical areas of our brain to take a break so that they can perform at their best when we need them to. So find just 10 minutes, three times a day to slow down. Breathe, take a slow walk in the sun or just sit and think. But make sure you disconnect physically, mentally and electronically from the things that you are working on to make this recovery break really work.

High performance is no longer a function of the time we spend doing anything. High performance in the 21st century is a function of our ability to focus on the things that really matter, and shut out the distractions of the things that don’t. These simple things will help you get the most out of every day and get the most out of yourself as well.

About the Author:

This article was written by Great Expectation! speaker, Tony Wilson. Tony has a passion for helping people thrive in today's workplace. He has spent his entire working life helping organisations, teams and individuals perform at their best. With an MBA and BSc, Tony was originally a performance coach for elite athletes and sporting teams throughout Australia and the USA. He has over 15 years’ experience in high performance management in both sporting and corporate sectors, combining leading performance science with contemporary management theory to put a unique slant on high performance in and out of the office.

A proven beach-side favourite amongst the Australasian meetings and events community, Crowne Plaza Terrigal is set on a wide sweeping bay, overlooking a pristine beach only 90 minutes north of Sydney. With the largest selection of meeting venues on the New South Wales Central Coast, the unique event spaces will inspire you and your delegates. Some event spaces exude refined elegance and offer spectacular views of the ocean, whilst others are flooded with natural light and have private courtyards. Premium facilities and stunning views from each of the 199 accommodation rooms will help your guests relax and stay productive during your visit. Our iconic pool is the perfect place to unwind or slip in to Endota Spa Terrigal for spa treatments with inspired sea views. Whatever your requirements, host up to 600 delegates and ensure your meeting is a success with the Crowne Plaza Meetings Director as your dedicated point of contact for the entire event. We’ll handle the details so you can focus on the big picture.

"Our team were all blown away by the food and service. The facilities are just excellent, exactly what we needed. I am not surprised that Danielle is an award-winning conference organiser, as every interaction with her has been positive, can-do, polite and enthusiastic. Nothing during the whole weekend was too much trouble." - Mick and Julie Goodwin, Loyal I.T. Solutions

Call 02 4384 9111, email meetings.terrigal@ihg.com or visit our website to start planning your successful beachside meeting or event today.

Are you under constant pressure to organise successful business events? Leola Foon, Marketing Manager at Cliftons venues, shares practical tips to help you plan for success!

I typed “How to organise a business networking event” into Google and it returned over 4.3M results There are many components that lead to a successful event - getting your audience right, what to present, what to giveaway, where to hold it, building trust, show off your product – the list goes on!

I think the issue here is we are simply trying too hard. Trying too hard to make people like you, trying too hard to have the fanciest client giveaway, trying too hard to sell your soul at the door! Argh when will it end? It doesn’t. That's the beauty of event planning.

So let's strip it back to the fundamentals of event planning and how to make a successful event a reality. It's as simple as A, B, C.Read more

#CliftonsTips

Food, wine, golf, archery and more wine were all on the program during Business Events Victoria’s (BEV) latest buyers famil to the spectacular Yarra Valley. A team of six event buyers (five from Melbourne and one from Sydney) was treated to a taste of what the Yarra Valley region has to offer business event organisers over the weekend of 4-5 March 2016 – and the region was certainly at its stunning best!

First stop was a site inspection of Yarra Valley Lodge followed by a sumptuous morning tea. The new Greg Norman designed golf course at Eastern Golf Club definitely scored a hole in one and surprised our guests, as did the historic Chateau Yering, a beautiful homestead from the 1850s. It was then onto Healesville to experience RACV Healesville and enjoy lunch with matching wines. By this time it was certainly wine o’clock (we were in the Yarra Valley, after all!) with the next stop taking us straight to Rochford Wines for wine and cheese tasting. That night was spent at Vibe Marysville, which opened in 2015 and can cater for up to 300 delegates, where we were again wined and dined in amazing fashion.

Day two saw the team visit Holmesglen at Eildon, a 660 acre property with many activities to try with their onsite Outdoor Recreation Coordinator. The event buying industry certainly has some talented archers in its midst! A beautiful lunch was served on the balcony, providing much needed sustenance after a lovely morning exploring the extensive property. Our final stop was – yes, you guessed it – another magnificent business event venue and winery, Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort, where some more wine tasting took place after an in depth site inspection of the venue.

The famil was a huge success with the buyers experiencing first hand the smells, sights, sounds, and definitely the tastes of what the region has to offer for business events and their delegates. Thanks must also go to Murrells Charters for exemplary service in getting team around the region efficiently and safely. To register your interest in one of our upcoming famils or to speak with the BEV team about your event requirements, contact Adeline on akeh@businesseventsvictoria.com or 03 8662 5432

Upcoming famils:
Mornington Peninsula - 14 and 15 April
Shepparton - 3 and 4 June
Ballarat - 5 and 6 August
Daylesford and Macedon Ranges - 11 and 12 November

Over the last decade, many of the world’s biggest businesses have made access to daylight in their meeting facilities a priority. From improved productivity to better sales, turning off artificial lights and opening the curtains has been a huge help for businesses. Whilst tangible facts on the benefits of daylight on productivity are elusive, a 1991 study in the classroom revealed that score differences between tests taken in an artificially lit environment and those sat in a naturally lit environment were massive. The study revealed that a 25 percent improvement in test scores occurred in naturally lit environments. The study also found that naturally lit rooms improved concentration by eliminating common distractions. In the office environment we’ve all been caught staring out the window dreaming of a beach holiday however quite the opposite can be found in seminar rooms with natural light. The theory claims that since attendees are free to admire the view, they’re less likely to find distractions within the meeting space.

So all the signs are leading to your next meeting or event taking place in a naturally lit room – but wait! There’s more...

Natural light actually improves your health. The 1991 study of students who learn in a light environment were shown to have recorded significant health benefits; Their teeth were healthier, body height and weight gains were higher and they were less likely to be absent from class due to normal illness. So it makes sense that meetings, seminars and conference organisers are hunting venues with natural light. Not only will it increase the participant’s intake of information but it’s actually better for you! At the North Sydney Harbourview Hotel we make conferencing easy with our professional and friendly approach. Our rooms have access to the all-important natural light ensuring that your delegates walk away inspired, refreshed and enthused. Our chefs create healthy and delicious menus and we have the flexibility to tailor-make an event to suit your needs.

Give the team a call now on 02 9955 0499 to book your next event in the natural light – your team will thank you for it.

They say the way to the heart is through the stomach, so this Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8, Trippas White Group’s iconic restaurants are gearing up to help you spoil Mum. From Sydney’s highest vantage point, beautiful parklands and gardens, to riverfront dining in Brisbane there is surely an offer that will help you to make Mum feel special.

Centennial Parklands Dining

For the early risers and mums who love to do breakfast, be sure to treat Mum to The Parkland’s Breakfast Feast, with a glass of bubbles on arrival for Mum. $55.00 per adult and $25.00 per child, infants are complimentary. For the mums who love a long lunch, the Centennial Parkland’s Dining Shared Lunch Feast will be the perfect way to say thank you, with a special glass of bubbles on arrival for Mum. Enjoy the grazing feast for $95.00 per adult and $45.00 per child, infants are complimentary. To book, phone 9380 9350 or email enquiries@cpdining.com.au or visit the website

Botanic Gardens Restaurant

Botanic Gardens Restaurant would love to help you treat Mum to breakfast or lunch amongst the picturesque Royal Botanic Gardens. While looking out on the beautiful gardens, Mum can enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne on us! Book a Mother’s Day one course breakfast at the Botanic Gardens Restaurant for $30.00 per adult and $15 per child (under12). Book a Mother’s Day three course lunch at the Botanic Gardens Restaurant for $95.00 per adult and $55 per child (under 18) or $30 per child (under 12). To book, phone 1300 550 419 email enquiries@botanicrestaurant.com.au or visit the website

Pavilion on the Domain

Situated in the Domain, on the edge of Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens; take in the Sydney skyline and leafy outlook, while Mum enjoys a three course lunch and special gift on us for $90 per adult, $60 teenager 13–17 years old and $25 per child under 12 years old. To book, phone 02 9232 1322 email enquiries@pavilionrestaurant.com.au or visit the website

360 Bar and Dining

Indulge in a three course lunch with dishes including kingfish sashimi, handmade tagliatelle ragu and honeycomb panna cotta, while enjoying 360 revolving views of Sydney for $99 per adult and $45 per child. On the day, every Mum dinging with us will also receive a complimentary glass of house wine to enjoy over lunch. To book phone, 02 8223 3883 email reservations@360dining.com.au or visit the website

Sydney Tower Buffet

Treat Mum to the ultimate international dining experience at Sydney Tower Buffet this Mother’s Day. Book for lunch or dinner at Sydney Tower Dining where Mum can feast on a huge selection of dishes including succulent fresh seafood, assorted salads, and modern Australian, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisines. To finish, be sure to visit the dessert station with a sweet selection of profiteroles, lemon tarts, panna cotta, pavlova, ice cream and more. The Sydney Tower Buffet’s Mother’s Day special includes one and a half dining sessions, plus a glass of house wine for Mum for $85 per adult and $27.50 per child (3-12 years old) To book, phone 02 8223 3800 email reservations@sydneytowerbuffet.com.au or visit the website

Eat Drink, Western Foyers – Sydney Opera House

If Mum enjoys a view, delicious food and some bubbles to celebrate, then book this Mother’s Day luncheon at Eat Drink, Western Foyers - Sydney Opera House. With celebrity chef, Lauren Murdoch cooking up a storm, enjoy two courses and a glass of bubbles for $47 per person. You also receive the best view of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the city skyline complimentary. For $47 per person enjoy a two course lunch and bubbles on arrival. For $14 children between 3 – 12 years can enjoy pasta, tomato sauce, drink and ice cream. To book, phone 02 9250 7220 or email reservations@westernfoyers.com.au

The Avalon on the Beach

For the early risers and mums who love to do breakfast, be sure to book The Avalon on the Beach breakfast. Enjoy freshly squeezed juices and smoothies and signature dishes including a chorizo breakfast omelette on a brioche bun; bircher muesli with roasted pistachio and organic honey; French toast caramelised banana and organic maple syrup and more. Picture this; ocean views, rolling waves, a light sea breeze, an abundance of fresh Australian produce and seafood served over three decadent grazing stations, a glass of champagne for Mum and you of course! For $65 per adult, book you and your family into The Avalon on the Beach Mother’s Day lunch and enjoy some quality time together. To book, phone 02 8023 7685 email hello@theavalononthebeach.com or visit the website

WATT Brisbane

Is your Mum an early riser who likes to catch the morning sun and indulge in a delicious breakfast? This Mother’s Day say thank you with a beautiful dining experience from New Farmer's Kitchen. For $24.50 enjoy a classic New Farmer’s Kitchen breakfast with a smoothie or juice for Mum! If Mum enjoys a glass of champagne or two over a long lunch, then make sure you say thank you this Mother’s Day with a long lunch at New Farmer’s Kitchen. Enjoy two courses for $55 or three courses for $65 including a complimentary glass of Mumm champagne for Mum. To book, phone 07 3358 5464 email enquiries@wattbrisbane.com.au or visit the website

Book your Christmas party and receive a gift for you or your colleagues from Trippas. Looking to impress the boss or self-indulge a little for all the hard work you will do this year? Trippas White Group wants to help you get onto Santa’s naughty or nice list just by booking your 2016 Christmas party early. After working your way up the nice list for being so organised with this year’s Christmas party and booking it at any Trippas White Group venue before March 31, 2016; you can choose to be a little naughty and receive a gift voucher to dine at any of our restaurants and treat yourself. Or be the saint that you are and receive a complimentary bellini on arrival for you and your guests at your Christmas event.

To book or for further information, please contact Santa’s Little Helper and Trippas White Group Corporate Business Development Manager, Renay Farrell on 02 8023 7678 or email.

*Terms and conditions apply, based on minimum spends, not to be used in conjunction with any other offer

Only minutes from Sydney’s CBD, hidden amongst the foliage of the famous Royal Botanic Gardens. The Botanic Gardens Restaurant offers an escape from city life with the convenience of a city location. Enjoy cocktails and dancing on the wide verandahs, with spectacular views across the Royal Botanic Gardens, or indulge in a formal seated event in front of the open fireplace. Available for exclusive hire seven days a week, the restaurant can cater for groups up to 250 people cocktail-style and 140 seated guests. With a sleek, modern interior boasting a central bar, lounge area, fireplace and open verandahs, the restaurant's flexible layout makes it suitable for almost any style of event. Botanic Gardens Restaurant also has two semi private dining rooms available seating up to 10 for an intimate corporate lunch event. For something different, why not start your pre-drinks on the harbour front Band Lawn and then move to the restaurant for the remainder of your event? As a hospitality partner of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, we have access to the many beautiful locations surrounding our restaurant which we service, including formal marquees on the Bennelong Lawn to cocktails in the Rose Garden or the early 20th Century Palm House.

Botanic Gardens Event Offers

• Book and host a conference with Botanic Gardens Restaurant before the end of June 2016 and receive complimentary chef’s selection of canapés (three varieties) for your post conference drinks.
• Book and host a lunch or dinner event with Botanic Gardens Restaurant before the end of June 2016 and receive complimentary chef’s selection canapés (three varieties) on arrival.

*Book a corporate conference event or lunch or dinner event with a plated menu before 30.06.2016 and receive this promotion; not in conjunction with any other offer. Subject to availability – minimum spend applies. Offer not negotiable and cannot be exchanged for cash discounts or other inclusions. To book or for further information, please contact our events team on 02 8023 7678 or events@trippaswhitegroup.com.au

Pullman Magenta Shores Resort is an exceptional 5 star resort set on 52 acres just 90 minutes drive north of Sydney on the NSW Central Coast. Nestled between the pristine waters of the Pacific Ocean, Tuggerah Lakes and surrounded by National Park, this resort has been designed to complement its spectacular location. Catering for up to 400 delegates, the resort has 7 different meeting spaces with lots of natural light, many opening onto terraces and spectacular views over the golf course. Offering modern Villas all featuring views over the golf course, lagoon pool, rock pools or gardens.

Generous Villa style accommodation featuring open plan living areas, fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities and private courtyards, the predominantly 2 and 3 Bedroom Villas are the perfect retreat. Enjoy playing Golf at the exclusive Magenta Shores Golf and Country Club, indulge in a Spa treatment at Vie Spa, choose from 2 Tennis Courts, 3 swimming pools and direct beach access. Dining offers a range of locations and menu styles, from al a carte at Barretts Restaurant and Terrace, alfresco dining at Shallows Bar including Tapastry and a wood fired pizza oven, with Lakeside Lawn the perfect location for unique outdoor themed events.

Click here to view some images of the Pullman Magenta Shores Resort.

Pullman Magenta Shores Resort
1 Magenta Dr Magenta NSW 2261
T. +612 4352 8100
h8791-sl1@accor.com

Create a memorable event that your delegates will be inspired by.

The Royce Hotel is ideally located next to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne city. The Royce has 12 meeting and events spaces catering for all types of events for up to 300 people. Highlights include pillar free meeting space, some rooms with natural light, 4.7 metre high domed ceiling in Grand Ballroom, purpose built boardrooms available, boutique style venue with a high level of personalised service, award winning restaurant, lounge bar, 24 hour reception/concierge, secretarial services, business centre, valet car parking onsite, self-parking available nearby, accommodation onsite, gym, outdoor courtyard, full range of AV and technical assistance available.

Visit www.roycehotels.com.au and see the difference.

Funktionality kicked off 2016 with cracker start, taking home not one but two awards at the Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) Industry Awards! The prestigious awards program recognises excellence in the Meetings and Events Industry by encouraging industry professionals to excel in the achievement of their business and personal goals, rewarding those who achieve outstanding results. This year, the Funktionality team were honoured to be named winners of two esteemed awards. Director Tracy Wood for “Event Manager of the Year” and Melbi Langton for “Y MEA Future Leader of the Year”. Congratulations to the pair on a well-deserved win!

Tracy Wood - Event Manager of the Year

Tracy makes it her mission to inject colour, beauty and originality into special events, particularly the corporate world; after her own experiences in this sphere left her unenthused. Over the last 28 years she has certainly excelled in achieving this with her keen eye on developing styles, plus her innovative ability to make the familiar a fantasy once more. She continually inspires clientele with creativity and her natural magnetism. Combined with her wealth of knowledge, experience and organisational skills, it is no wonder she has built such trusted partnerships with suppliers, venues, and clients alike to assert her as a powerful and dynamic industry leader.

Melbi Langton - Y MEA Future Leader of the Year

Melbi Langton is a talented and qualified Event Manager with over eight years' experience in event, entertainment and sales sectors. Melbi is Event Manager/Sales Lead at Funktionality; and has been with the Funktionality team since October 2014. Melbi is an invaluable staff member, mentoring the team daily with support, advice and a positive attitude.

Interested in hearing how we can help you achieve your event goals? Contact us to learn about our event management, event coordination and theming + decor services today! Call 02 9557 8105, email info@funktionality.com.a or visit our website

*Photos courtesy of Oneill Photographics

I remember back in 1984, I was training for the Australian Touch Football Champion Titles. My trainer handed me a sheet of paper faced down. As he handed a piece paper to each of the 20 team members who made the selection squad he said, "When you turn this sheet over and read it, it will change the way you see things, not only on the sports field, but also in your life." My initial reaction was, what has this got to do with training for the National Titles? I was the kind of gal who just wanted to get on with the physical training. The voice inside my head was thinking that perhaps I heard him wrong. I could feel the excitement rise-up, telling myself that maybe it was a new tactical play. I loved creating new strategy plays and being a part of making it happen. I then turned the paper over and much to my surprise I read these words:

The Winner's Creed

If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you won’t.
If you like to win, but think you can’t,
It’s almost certain you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost.
For out in the world we find,
success begins with a person’s will –
it’s all in the state of mind.

If you think you’re outclassed, you are.
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You've got to be sure of yourself,
Before you can ever win a prize.

Life’s battles don’t always go
to the stronger or faster person.
But sooner or later the person who wins
is the one who thinks they can.

Again, I could hear myself say with feelings of impatience, what has this got to do with training? I looked up at the trainer and he said, “You have trained your body, it is even more important to train your mind and to think like winners”. That was the start of my introduction to the psychology of winning and the power of the mind. That sheet of paper handed to me three decades ago was one of the first major turning points in my life, to which I share this same philosophy with many people I coach today. Creating a champion mindset is a major part of winning and succeeding in the areas that are most important to you. Begin to observe how often you catch yourself talking or complaining to others about what you don't want to happen or what has happened; going over things in your mind; feeling overwhelmed trying to move forward without new results. Do you resolve it or do you find yourself repeating the same pattern?

Commit to creating a ‘champion mindset’ today by only focusing on, speaking about, taking action on, expressing with passion, believing in and leading by example – being the true leader you know you want to be. Begin to take new actions through new ways of thinking to kick higher goals based on your true values and heart’s vision – live your full potential every day. Only you know when your head hits the pillow at night whether you have lived with a champion mindset expressing your true leadership style throughout your day, capitalizing on new opportunities with a winning attitude.

About the Author:

With a national sporting background and a World Masters Gold Medalist, Annette Stanton uses her winning sporting strategies, techniques and formulas she gained from being a champion athlete to coach people today in a personal and business capacity. Annette has more than 32 years of experience as a powerful coach. She undertakes executive, business and personal coaching, team coaching and motivational speaker engagements. She is an international speaker specialising in transformational leadership and world-renowned author. For more information about Annette’s world class Champion Leadership Coaching Programs, speaking presentations and leading edge resources, please visit her website.

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