The Meetings Industry Association’s (mia) award-winning Connect Agent Day returned last week, as leading event agents and delegates debated the hottest issues currently affecting the sector.
Around 100 delegates, including 14 agents representing Conferences UK, Venues and Events International, Hotel and Travel Solutions, Pineapple Events, Inntel, Off Limits, CBA Events, Hospitality Guaranteed, Successful Events, Right Angle Events, Mason Events, Calder Conferences, The Events Company and Bien Venue attended the day, which enabled delegates to glean invaluable insight from event agencies and seamlessly establish connections with their industry peers.
Held in Harrogate at The Majestic Hotel, the highly anticipated event got off to a quick start as venues had their burning questions answered in the initial ‘30 in 30’ agents panel session. Key suggestions made by the panel, who were praised for their honesty, included the need for venues to continually invest in the latest technology.
They also stressed the importance of efficiency and quick response times. Venues who are unable to precisely meet the brief, should respond with their best alternative solutions while they should not be afraid to make suggestions when they have ideas that will help further enhance the event experience.
During the ‘Think-in Talk-in’ session the debate continued, as delegates and agents addressed some of the industry’s most pressing questions, from the issue of single-use plastics to the impact the development of AI may have on the meetings and events market.
After lunch where more connections were made, delegates were given the opportunity to further network during a stimulating team-building challenge led by The Events Company, which saw eight teams take to the town of Harrogate in an interactive treasure hunt.
Tailored specifically for the Connect Agent Day, delegates competed against the clock to discover and complete hidden challenges from instructions at various locations, in the race for first place.
Social media was awash with feedback after the event. Martin Stephens, Director of Off Limits, said: “The Connect Agent Day never fails – excellent content. It’s an event not to be missed. Congrats to all involved in the organisation of the event.”
Sarah Kelly, Sales Manager of Savvy Hotels, said: “Some fab new connections made, with lots of great MICE ideas and best practice shared!”
Speaking of the continued success of the event, Jane Longhurst, mia chief executive said: “As the mia is keen to help our members strengthen and grow their businesses through tangible initiatives, we were delighted with the success of the latest Connect Agent Day. We know from our interactive badges supplied by Blendology, this event created over 2,727 connections – more than any other previous mia event.”
The mia’s award-winning Connect Agent format will return in November with a Connect Agent Dinner taking place at 116 Pall Mall.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
