The industry is saddened by the passing of Marion Powell, co-founder of Acclaim Special Events and Meetings Management in Brisbane, on 22 January 2019.

Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) paid tribute to Powell, saying she was a strong supporter of the organisation for many years, and recognised her contribution to the meetings industry.

Powell began her career in the events industry in 1985 when she joined the sales team at Dreamworld responsible for setting up the special events division.

She was president of the Meetings Industry Association of Australia in Queensland (now MEA) initiating and implementing many activities in Queensland. She also initiated the M.I.C.E. Awards in Queensland and worked to establish the National Awards program.

She was a member of the Meetings Industry Association of Australia National Council for many years and was chair of the planning committee and conference chair for the first national conference for the Meetings Industry Association of Australia on the Gold Coast. She retained an active interest in MEA Queensland.

Powell went on to work with Early Street Historical Village and Terry Keenan and Associates establishing the special events division. A career highlight was producing the inaugural nine-day ‘Springtopia’ Festival at South Bank Parklands in September 1993.

Later in 1993, Powell co-founded Acclaim Special Events and Meeting Management. She soon became a sought-after mentor to the industry and served on various education committees.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday 14 February at 4pm (NSW) at the Melaleuca Station at Chinderah, followed by a reception at the Tumbulgum Tavern, Memorial Garden, Tumbulgum.