Melbourne - Australia

Website

Visit the official MCEI Melbourne Chapter's website by clicking on the following URL :

    http://www.mcei.org.au
  

Background / History

MCEI commenced in 1999 when Jack and Tina Wu approached Barbara Gabogrecan and Peter O'Connor to help form an Australian Chapter. In 2001 Melbourne Australia hosted the World Congress, with only eight members to make it 'work'. Delegates attending were networked with a number of businesses (expos, Local Government etc) as well as provided with a great variety of activities to ensure they enjoyed their stay in Melbourne (visiting the penguins, riding on Puffin Billy, feeding the Rosella birds in their natural environment etc).

World Congress Melbourne

After the World Congress in Melbourne, Barbara resigned as President and Jack became President. Currently Barbara is again President and Jack is Vice President.

Activities

Jack Wu has attended the World Congresses and Asian Conferences on many occasions. Barbara Gabogrecan was able to attend one of each (in Tokyo and Taipei).

We have an alliance with MBN Solutions and together with support from Local Councils, we run presentations to provide practical 'hands on' solutions to many of the problems the micro business sector faces - including marketing.

Meetings

We run a Connect Event with a celebrity speaker every second month. We also run Gold Pass Events every other month where members attend a workshop led by an expert of a particular topic, to assist members to increase their business skills. Networking is a large part of our activities and our Member's Directory is open to the public via the website. As most of the members are sole operator businesses, The VIP Club was formed to offer members running successful businesses an opportunity to brainstorm and assist each other to move their business forward. There is a strong emphasis on innovation and developing ideas that are 'outside the square'.  

Marketing Excellence

As part of the International Marketing Excellence Awards, Melbourne holds their own awards. 

Governance

According to the Australian Association regulations, MCEI Melbourne is registered as an incorporated association with an executive committee.

That committee consists of :

• President: Barbara Gabogrecan
• Vice President 1: Brenda Thomson
• Vice President 2: Jack Wu
• Secretary: Jayne Tisdall
• Treasurer: Peter O’Connor
• Committee Member: Kelvin Eldridge

Membership

To become a member of MCEI Melbourne, the interested party has to be sponsored by an existing member. There are no restrictions to how many members or what business structure they adhere to.

Dues & Fees

The fee structure is:

Joining Fee	A$120
- Individual Person	Silver	A$150
- Corporate	Gold	A$330 (1-3 members)
- Partners	Platinum	A$700

Information & Contact

President
Barbara Gabogrecan
Address: PO Box 393
KILSYTH Victoria 3137 Australia
Phone: 03 5625 5195
Mobile: 0418 106 133
Fax: 03 5625 5194
Email:  enquiries@mcei.org.au
  
Vice President
Brenda Thomson
Address: PO Box 184
MITCHAM Victoria 3132 Australia
Phone: (03) 9017 5570
Mobile: 0428 210 447
Fax: 03 9879 6694
Email: brenda@networkingworld.net.au
   

Secretary

Jane Tisdall
Address: Level 11, 499 St Kilda Road
MELBOURNE, Vic 8004, Australia
Email: jtisdall@iinet.net.au  
Phone: (03) 9869 5900
Fax: (03) 9869 5999