The Meetings Industry Association (MIA) reported a healthy profit at its AGM following a successful year in which the MIA’s Accredited in Meetings scheme (AIM), was backed by VisitBritain who have pledged financial support to the future development of the groundbreaking scheme.

In his opening address to members, newly elected Chairman Nick Milne, of Robinson College, Cambridge, who will be supported by Marc Webster of QHotels as Vice Chairman, said: “The MIA has taken enormous steps in the last few years and it’s a really exciting time to be taking the position of Chair.

“This year is all about AIM and growth; our advertising campaign for the scheme to increase awareness amongst buyers is already underway two months ahead of schedule. We are in the process of conducting a study to determine the feasibility of rolling the scheme out beyond membership; we are also growing the MIA support team to ensure we can achieve the ambitious plans we have in place for the association”, said Milne.

Chief Executive, Jane Evans reported that whilst membership had remained steady for the 2006/2007 financial year at 434, as predicted, following the implementation of the compulsory accreditation scheme, there had been losses either because organisations could not achieve the levels demanded by the scheme or because organisations felt unable to commit to a quality initiative for the industry.

Members are required to go through the accreditation process on the anniversary of their membership renewal date, there are currently 222 accredited members and she confirmed that the association is on target for a fully accredited membership by May of this year.

“It was a really positive AGM following a successful year for the MIA. We are now looking at a three year programme of investment to ensure MIA is in a position to reap the rewards in the future,” concluded Jane Evans, MIA Chief Executive.

The new board was also elected at the AGM which now stands as: Jane Evans, MIA Chief Executive; Nick Milne, MIA Chair, conference manager, Robinson College Cambridge; Marc Webster, MIA Vice Chair, QHotels; Michael Scroop, immediate past chair; Mark Trevor, managing director of Event Insurance Hiscox UK, treasurer and hon. Secretary; Elisabeth Barton, The Russell Partnership; Kate Meehan, 76 Portland Place; Tamar Peters, Kinx Management; Michael Sloan, Novotel London West; Simon Thompson, Conferences UK; Jeremy Wall, Eynsham Hall; Sue Darlaston, HRG Worldwide.