The Meetings Industry Association (mia) has welcomed a raft of new members in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Recent venues members, which have also achieved the mia’s new AIM Secure accreditation to demonstrate their commitment to offering a safe, Covid-secure environment, include:
- Mercure London Heathrow (Accor)
- Mercure Telford Centre Hotel (Accor)
- Mercure Bedford Centre Hotel (Accor)
- Mercure Cardiff North (Accor)
- Sheffield Hallam University
- Tobacco Dock
- NMC Venue
- Wallacespace Group
- The Belfry Hotel and Resort
- Social Justice and Human Rights Centre
Dana Lewis, director of meetings, events and leisure at Accor Hotels, said: “Accor Hotels has been extremely impressed with the proactive approach, advice and guidance that has been given by the mia – especially during the recent Covid-19 crisis. We are actively encouraging both our managed and franchised partners to become members of the association.”
Roy Gilmore Kerr, director at Wallacespace, said: “Wallacespace is glad to become a new member of the mia, as it continues to provide an industry leading blueprint for a Covid-compliant re-opening. In addition, the mia is providing a unified voice that has access to government and can campaign for the relief that will keep our industry alive and be able to contribute fully to the economy once it has recovered.”
Throughout Covid-19, the mia has been working to lobby government and ensure its members and the industry have access to support, information and advice. The associations’ Roadmap to reopening and operating safely, which has been signposted in the government’s visitor economy guidance, remains available on the association’s website alongside dedicated contract guidance, while the application process for the new professional industry standard AIM Secure and its recently launched miaTrustedTrace tool is also available to provide assurance to venues and delegates.
Jane Longhurst, chief executive of the mia said: “We are delighted that the sector is recognising the benefits of being part of the mia and achieving our new AIM Secure standard to provide event planners confidence that they are committed to offering a safe environment for both delegates and staff. It has been a challenging time for all within the industry, and the mia is committed to continuing to provide all the necessary support to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 while feeding ongoing intelligence directly into government to ensure it is aware of our plight.”
The latest members follow on the heels of 30 Meet Cambridge venues, which have renewed their membership in response to the mia’s guidance and lobbying for the sector during the current pandemic, as well as a number of suppliers who have turned to the association for support.
M&IT editor Paul Harvey is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience. He began his career in the local press, working for various titles across the north. Since joining M&IT in 2013, he has become a trusted and respected voice in the sector, championing event professionals and reporting on all aspects of the events industry for the brand.
