This year’s miaList 2020 industry award winners were announced at a virtual ceremony and included eight individual winners, as well as a ‘Leadership’ title, a team and two dedicated Covid-19 honours.
Douglas O’Neill, chief executive of Inntel, secured the Leadership title after impressing the judges with his ability to inspire, motivate and care for his team while managing the impact of the pandemic on the UK’s largest independent meetings and travel management company.
The eight individual names include:
Adam Loach – The Grand Brighton. His infectious enthusiasm and focus tackling challenges head-on, as well as his empathy and leadership made Adam a worthy winner of a place on this year’s miaList.
Adam Simpson – etc. Venues. Adam’s maturity, considered approach, willingness to accept a challenge and considerable people skills impressed the judges after they were put to great effect for a ground-breaking live hybrid industry event – UK Kickstart 2020.
Charlie Kelly – Chelsea Football Club. Charlie’s approach to adapt and develop innovative solutions alongside her pragmatic approach, infectious positive attitude and determination to go the extra mile, made her stand out to the judges.
Claire Heap – Conference Leeds & Visit Leeds. Judges commented that Claire’s ability to rise to the challenge – support destination partners as well as her work repositioning the destination while being a thought leader sharing insightful comments across a range of industry channels were admirable.
Joanna Lunn – Victory Services Club. The judges felt Joanna was a resilient leader who has successfully accomplished cultural change bringing three disparate departments together to great positive effect and protect the venue through the pandemic.
Judith Sloane – Meet Cambridge. Judges highlighted Judith’s passion, drive, ‘can do’ attitude, and her ability to step in and take over the management of her team during the pandemic as key attributes.
Marianne MacKinnon – University of St Andrews. The judges felt Marianne’s leadership approach, which has enabled her to take on extensive additional responsibilities and find solutions to overcome challenges as well as her commitment to building her team, was commendable.
Rachel Azzopardi – Regent’s Conferences and Events. Her empathy and confident communication skills to ensure that both clients and staff were continually updated throughout the pandemic and her ever positive approach to keep spirits up, set Rachel apart.
Simon Thatcher of Kents Hill Park secured the Extraordinary Performance title after judges “unanimously admired his faultless approach”, which with three days’ notice, saw him transform his venue into a quarantine centre for families returning from Wuhan.
The Team of the Year was awarded to Lancashire Cricket Club after it demonstrated a united effort, innovation through the use of technology, strategic awareness and operational excellence to safely deliver the first international event back to the UK.
Jane Longhurst, chief executive of the mia, said: “I’d like to congratulate all of those special individuals and teams who have secured their name on the miaList 2020. This year has been challenging to say the least, so it was fantastic to have the opportunity to celebrate and shine a spotlight on the exceptional and committed talent we have working in the business meetings and events sector. Individually and collectively they have adapted and united as teams going above and beyond the call of duty.
“I would also like to extend my greatest thanks to our partners, judges and supporters for contributing to the ongoing success of the miaList.”
A desire to travel led Holly Patrick to the business meetings and events world and she’s never looked back. Holly takes a particular interest in event sustainability and creating a diverse and inclusive industry. When she’s not working, she can be found rolling skating along Brighton seafront listening to an eclectic playlist, featuring the likes of Patti Smith, Sean Paul, and Arooj Aftab.
