The Meetings Industry Association (mia) has been shortlisted for two high-profile industry awards, in recognition of its efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the business meetings and events sector.
The association’s relentless government liaison and lobbying, resources and agile guidance around best practice have resulted in the mia being shortlisted for the ‘Best Association Team’ at the 2021 Association Excellence Awards and the ‘Best COVID Response’ at the National Association Awards.
Throughout the course of the pandemic the mia has played a pivotal role supporting and unifying the sector, providing continual government updates and much needed insight and clarity. It’s powerful insights gained from conducting regular surveillance to demonstrate the impact of COVID-19 on business meetings and events has helped to facilitate and encourage government financial support.
Meanwhile, the mia’s comprehensive suite of practical business support tools have been utilised by many across the whole supply chain including ongoing contract guidance, enhanced AIM Secure accreditation, miaTrustedTrace, and its extensive ‘Roadmap to reopening and operating safely’ which has been sign-posted within government guidance.
Jane Longhurst, chief executive of the mia, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic will forever be remembered as the toughest challenge the sector has ever faced and we are proud to have been able to support not only our members but the wider industry throughout with as much guidance, advice and resource as possible to support their survival and recovery.
“I am immensely proud and appreciative of the entire mia team for their tireless efforts over the course of the last 14 months. Being shortlisted for these two awards is fitting recognition of their persistent determination to support our sector through the toughest of times.”
The National Association Awards, which celebrates the best of the UK’s membership organisations will take place at the Copthorne Tara Hotel on Tuesday 27 July, while the Association Excellence Awards will take place at the Kia Oval on Tuesday 29 June.