January 2012

It has been a great start to 2012 as major brands see the benefit of AIM accreditation.
Intercontinental Hotel Group has succeeded  in achieving AIM accreditation for 14 of its venues and plans to make it a key element of its strategy.

Having suffered the economic crisis for the past couple of years, we thought we were turning the corner in this Olympic year; we saw light at the end of the tunnel.
Then, each time the end of our woes appears to be coming into view, another European country needs to be bailed out, and the crisis continues.
So as 2012 gets going, what does the future hold?

Intercontinental Hotel Group’s (IHG) Managed Estate has achieved AIM accreditation at 14 venues. 
Its top-performing Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza hotels which achieved the accreditation in fact surpassed the standard that was required.

The AIM Village, which was a feature of Office 2011 last September, will be at the UK Venue Show on February 2 and 3 at London’s Olympia and the International Confex from March 6 to 8 at ExCeL London.

The mia AGM and mia-List Celebratory Lunch takes place at BMA House in London on March 19 so make sure you book your place.
All mia members are welcome to attend the event when we honour the best in the business. We have been interviewing the 20 people that made it through to the mia-List shortlist and the final 10 will be chosen next month. The mia-List Celebratory Lunch is where the final list will be revealed. It’s an excellent opportunity to make new contacts, while marking the achievements of the most deserving people in the industry.

The UK Venue Show opens its doors for the first time next week at London Olympia.

Members of the mia Destinations Group found out about VisitEngland's strategy for the year ahead from the organisation's chief executive and its head of business tourism during their recent meeting in Liverpool.

The most recent General Managers' Business Lunch was a vibrant affair, bringing together 16 leading venue decision-makers. The main topic under discussion was the impact of rising costs and clients' demands for lower rates.

Leicester Tigers is well known as one of the country’s most successful rugby clubs, what is not so well known is that it is also home to the largest venue of its kind in the East Midlands. The venue joined the mia in April 2011 - after finding out about the AIM accreditation at International Confex - in order to give clients peace of mind and gain extra exposure.

Business tourism specialist Great Potential has a mia member-to-member offer with a 40 per cent discount on services.

Are you maximising the potential in your team? Are they maximising the meetings, enquiries and show rounds that are their daily, weekly and monthly duties?
Well, if anyone needs additional skills or a fresh approach then have a look at what the mia Learning & Development Academy can do to help.