The Meetings Industry Association (mia)
is partnering with VisitBritain to host back-to-back events
designed to help UK destination marketing organisations (DMOs) and convention bureaux (CVBs) attract more business events and demonstrate their value and impact.
Taking
place on 14-15 March 2023 at Newcastle Crowne Plaza, the two-day programme sees
the return of mia’s Destination Summit, offering destinations
a full day of learning, sharing, best practice and networking.
This
year’s summit will run back-to-back with VisitBritain’s (VB’s) impact and
legacy education series, taking place on Tuesday 14 March. This event is
designed to help DMOs/CVBs demonstrate the importance of meetings and
conferences to wider communities and stakeholders, while minimising the impact
on the environment.
Now
in its fifth edition, the theme for the mia Destination Summit on 15 March is Think Differently to Survive and Thrive.
Highlights of the programme, held in partnership with Newcastle Gateshead
Initiative (NGI), include how future technology can support the needs of the
meetings industry, a session on next level destination marketing, and a focus
on safety and security, which will delve into the new Protect Duty Legislation
(Martyn’s Law) and crisis communications strategies.
NewcastleGateshead
Initiative’s destination director Ian Thomas will give an overview of the
funding, focus and activity planned for 2023 to support the regions and
nations, The Meetings Show’s Jack Marczewski will give an insight into buyer
behaviour and future expectations, and NGI will share how a new £2.25m regional
tourism pilot will support and deliver for destinations across the North East.
In
the final session of the day, Jane Cunningham, Destinations International director of European engagement - responsible for overseeing and
developing a long-term engagement strategy for destination organisations in
Europe - will deep dive into where the UK fits and whether it can do more.
Kerrin
MacPhie, chief executive of the mia, said: “We are really excited to be working
with VisitBritain for the second year running to hold two back-to-back events
in one location, supporting destinations in their journey to become more
successful and win business for the UK. The programme will provide insights and
inspiration for those working in key roles to attract business meetings and
events to their destination as well as the opportunity to network with peers.”
Destinations
invited to attend VisitBritain’s event on 14 March must register separately for
mia’s Destination Summit. Tickets for the Destination Summit on 15 March are
£80 for mia members and £120 for non-members and include an after-hours dinner
on 14 March at Blackfriars Restaurant.
To find out more visit https://www.mia-uk.org/140323---Destination-Summit
