By Sarah Burt
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)’s Maxine Mcintyre has been named Venue Professional of the Year at the VMA’s Venue Industry Awards for her pivotal role in delivering COVIDSafe events throughout the pandemic.
The Awards recognises career excellence and those contributing to the industry as a whole.
McIntyre was responsible for developing the MCEC VenueSafe Plan which is designed to operate a 
safe environment with scalable control measures to ensure all employees, visitors, customers, and contractors remain safe and healthy.
“Maxine has played a crucial part in delivering COVIDSafe events throughout the pandemic in her role as VenueSafe Advisor,” said Peter King, Chief Executive of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. “Her consultation and collaboration with government and customers have seen her become a respected industry expert on delivering events in the new world we find ourselves in.
“She has implemented various infection control mitigation strategies throughout MCEC’s event spaces and utilised technology to deliver best practice in health and safety while also educating others in the industry to do the same.”
“The pandemic was a catalyst of change for me personally and professionally and my priority was to provide confidence and advocate for a safe return to business where venues had been almost dormant for two years,” McIntyre said.
“There was a need within the business that no one had foreseen, and I jumped at the opportunity to own the VenueSafe advisor role. Through much research, trial and error, and liaising with the best minds in our industry, I reimagined how we could work and provide the best experience for our customers.”
MCEC Manager Meetings and Events Courtney Jorgensen was also nominated for the Young Achiever of the Year Award, recognising and promoting up-and-coming venue professionals and their valuable contribution to the industry.
Sarah Burt is Corporate Communications Specialist for the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
