A NUMBERS GAME
Kerrin MacPhie , chief executive of the mia reveals the latest findings from its sector surveillance and how its informing government departments to help direct future support
s an association , the Meetings Industry Association ’ s ( mia ’ s ) role is to support our members while championing the sector to strengthen business and drive standards . Here at the mia , we ’ re also widely recognised for equipping members and the wider industry with key resources , information and guidance as well as developing initiatives and opportunities that enable organisations to develop their own strategies , plans and tactics .
However , while these forward-facing elements and benefits are often front-of-mind when members , prospective members and industry professionals consider an association ’ s role , our role continues to be so much more .
In recent years , the business meetings and events sector has faced an array of challenges , of which the collateral damage of some remain , while others are still arising and ongoing . It is when such eventualities occur that the duties of an association become even more imperative , providing the sector with representation , ensuring its voice is heard by the right parties and people .
Since being appointed as chief executive of the mia in November 2021 , we ’ ve continued to work hard to reinforce our relations with government departments , providing pertinent counsel and representation behind-the-scenes .
I ’ m pleased to have established regular diarised meetings with the Department for Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy ( BEIS ), as well as the Department for Digital , Culture , Media and Sport ( DCMS ) to actively inform them of the state of the sector , its challenges and any proposed support it may be calling for .
Our regular insight surveys , which you may be familiar with , serve as a key tool aiding these discussions . They provide a valuable snapshot of the sector – reinforcing what is being directly faced by those working in business meetings and events and enabling us to escalate pressing priorities accordingly .
The findings
The latest findings from our January 2023 survey have revealed the extent of how the sector has been impacted by the industrial strikes , rising costs , recruitment challenges and more . While they provide us with optimism that demand is returning , they also demonstrate the significant damage and disruption caused by ongoing externalities .
Surveying over 125 event venues and suppliers , two-thirds revealed that their forecasted revenue for 2023 is more than that forecasted for 2022 . Reflecting welcomed optimism , almost a third ( 27 %) state that they have more confirmed business for the year ahead than they did at the same time in 2019 , with a similar proportion ( 27 %) having the same level of confirmed business as they did pre-pandemic .
While demonstrating great strides the sector has made in its recovery projections , we remain acutely aware of the impact of rising energy costs and how these may impact forecasts , particularly with the energy support scheme to www . conference-news . co . uk