The Accommodation Australia Board has cemented in its new team in at its national board meeting in Canberra, with in-coming CEO James Goodwin attending his first meeting, and a new Board Vice-Chair elected in IHG Hotels and Resorts’ Emma Hynes.

The full board met at Hotel Realm in Canberra recently for the first time since the resignation of CEO Michael Johnson and Vice-Chair Sean Hunt of Marriott.

Board Chair David Mansfield said the meeting capped off a successful first year of the newly amalgamated Association.

“It was great to have this meeting in Canberra, close to the politicians where a lot of our work on behalf of members is done,” Mr Mansfield said.

“Following the meeting, dinner was held in the Speaker’s private dining room at Parliament House with Speaker of the House Milton Dick attending along with Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell - who impressed all yet again with his knowledge of our sector and the challenges we face.”

Mr Mansfield said the board meeting was an interesting mix of old and new, which showcased the Association’s strength.

“I must congratulate Emma Hynes, Director of Operations – Australasia and Pacific IHG Hotels and Resorts on her election to the position of AA Vice-Chair following the resignation of Sean Hunt recently. I thank Sean for all his hard work and look forward to working closely with Emma in her new role,” Mr Mansfield said.

“It was also great to have our new CEO James Goodwin attend the meeting – to learn first-hand the issues of concern to our members.

“The major topics of discussion, of course, were migration, short-term accommodation regulation, the shortage of workers particularly in regional areas and visas. We will continue to fight for our members on all these fronts and look forward to welcoming James full-time from 1 September to take up that fight.”