Pictured: Jane Longhurst, chief executive of the mia
The Meetings
Industry Association (mia) is launching the mia Conference and Event Management
Awards to recognise the talent of those about to embark on a career in the
sector.
The new awards are
part of the mia's strategy to attract and retain staff in the industry, and
offer educational institutions the chance to nominate their highest performing
conference/event management undergraduates and postgraduates for recognition.
The winner of each
category will receive a £400 voucher to attend a wide range of professional
development events offered by the association as well as a framed certificate.
Jane Longhurst,
chief executive of the mia, said: "Since the mia was established in 1990,
we have been committed to both attracting and retaining talent in the sector as
well as championing the continual improvement of quality and standards.
“Building on the
success of our prestigious miaList, which celebrates the outstanding passionate
individuals in the meetings, hospitality and events industry, we were keen to
also start recognising the brightest and best students who have excelled on their
courses and are looking to start a career in the industry."
She added:
"Over 1.3 million business events are held in the UK annually and as a
sector, events are worth £39.1 billion to the UK economy, contributing to
exports, inward investment, infrastructure development, cultural appreciation
and national pride. We therefore want to encourage enthusiasm among the next
generation as the sector offers a wonderfully exciting and varied career."
The mia Conference
and Event Management Awards are open to students who have completed a BA, BSc
or MA or MSc. Educational institutions are invited to submit nominations for
the undergraduate award by 30 June and postgraduate award by 31 October.