As the two year countdown begins for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the capital’s official visitor organisation and convention bureau, Visit London, has become the latest UK conference destination to become members of the Meetings Industry Association (MIA) and join its newly established Destinations Group.

Visit London, who has over 500 business tourism partners within the capital, will be the 29th destination to join the Destinations Group, whose current members include Visit Manchester, Liverpool Convention Bureau, Visit Brighton, Visit Chester & Cheshire and Tourism Ireland.

Tracy Halliwell, Director of Business Tourism at Visit London, says; “With two years to go to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games being celebrated this week, the countdown to 2012 has begun in earnest and Visit London is determined to strengthen the capital’s business proposition. We believe that by joining the MIA’s Destination Group we will be able to share our industry knowledge but also work with our fellow visitor organisations to strengthen the UK’s overall meetings offer.”     

Membership of the MIA will also enable Visit London to promote membership of the AIM (Accredited in Meetings) scheme. As well as having the official endorsement of VisitBritain throughout England and Wales, AIM is also supported by VisitEngland, Visit Wales,  MPI and ABPCO, and is the only recognised accreditation scheme for the meetings industry within the UK.  

Jane Evans, Chief Executive of the MIA said; “London is a truly world class City with an incredible meetings product, and as such we feel very fortunate to have Visit London as one of our members and look forward to working with them as part of our new Destinations Group.”