The UK’s Meetings Industry Association set to challenge perspectives at its inaugural summit

Reuniting, energising and inspiring the business meetings and events sector will all be high on the agenda next month, at the UK’s Meetings Industry Association’s (mia) first miaSummit. Following a virtual welcome address from UK tourism minister, Sir John Whittingdale (pictured), who will be providing an update on the government’s plans to support the sector, the curated programme will challenge traditional thinking. The mia says it will examine the importance of having an entrepreneurial mindset while revealing why the sector needs to stop hiding behind emails if it is to further improve its customer service. As well as exploring the current economic state of the industry, sustainability, and the journey to net zero, topics such as the menopause, intergenerational diversity and the power of a tribe will go under the mia microscope. Delegates will also discover more about the forthcoming Martyn’s Law legislation (the new Protect Duty law which will affect public venues) and what it means for the industry. “The miaSummit has been specifically designed to be relevant to every individual working in the business meetings and events industry no matter what their role is,” said the mia’s chief executive, Kerrin MacPhie. “Listening to the feedback from our ongoing industry engagement, we’ve carefully curated our line-up of expert and thought-provoking speakers to challenge the status quo across all disciplines while delivering what our sector needs to know right now. Delegates will leave with tangible takeaways, which will subsequently be outlined in a post-event report, making it even easier to implement in their own organisations.” More information about the miaSummit, which will take place at London’s Park Plaza Victoria on 6 October ahead of the miaList awards dinner, can be found here.