The Meetings Industry Association’s miaConnect Day, held on 9 July at Cloth Hall Court, University of Leeds, was a resounding success, with ESG top of the agenda.
The event, hosted by the mia’s director of business development Sandra Eyre, brought together agents and industry professionals for a day of networking, learning and collaboration.
Event Highlights:
ESG case study – net zero targets: University of Leeds business development manager Chelsea Rolfe presented an insightful case study focusing on the challenges and successes of Cloth Hall’s efforts toward achieving net zero targets, particularly emphasising the challenge of using geothermal energy. This was followed by a panel discussion on ESG, where experts like Nteractive sustainability director Kerrin Honey and The Brighton Centre business and sales manger Emma Thurlow stressed the importance of measurement and involving everyone in sustainability initiatives.
Business insights presentation from Edge Venues: The session offered a deep dive into the latest business trends and strategic approaches within the events industry. Edge CEO Jacqui Kavanagh said, “As predicted at the beginning of our EDGE journey, digital tools to support the procurement of venues are really gaining popularity, as we move forward with a generation of people who are digital natives. Our industry needs to lead the way on this otherwise we will be left behind.”
FAM trips and site visits panel: A panel discussion shared best practices for fam trips and site visits, highlighting the importance of effective communication and relationship-building with clients.
Ask the agents: Attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with booking agents, gaining valuable insights into current industry trends and client expectations.
Team building event hosted by ClueGo: An interactive icebreaker session hosted by ClueGo UK provided an engaging start to the day, setting the tone for collaborative learning.
Key Takeaways:
- Sustainability and regenerative practices: The discussions underscored a shift from merely sustainable practices to regenerative ones, aiming to create positive impacts rather than just minimising negative ones.
- Data-driven approaches: Kerrin Honey emphasised the critical role of data in achieving sustainability goals, urging the industry to start measuring their impacts to reach net zero targets.
- Cultural integration of ESG: Emma Thurlow highlighted the need for integrating sustainability into organisational culture, moving beyond superficial compliance.
- Collaboration and overcoming challenges: Speakers like Megan MacBrairdy, venue sales and marketing manager at Horizon Leeds, emphasised the importance of collaboration in navigating the complexities of sustainability.
miaConnect Day 2024 once again proved that such events are invaluable for fostering high-level industry connections and sharing critical insights.
The event came one month after mia unveiled its new identity and the announcement that chief executive Kerrin MacPhie is stepping down from her role.
