The Meetings Industry Association (MIA) is expanding its membership profile to include corporate and association meeting buyers as well as procurement officers and other professionals tasked with meeting and conference purchase.

The decision was voted in by the organisations existing members at an Extraordinary General Meeting (24th July), following unanimous agreement from the MIA Council. The move will see a re-categorisation of MIA membership, to include the three main sectors:

• Venues: any venue offering meeting facilities
• Suppliers: any supplier to the meetings industry, including all third party agencies
• Associate: end user buyers

“We said we wanted to modernise the association,” comments Michael Scroop, Chairman of the MIA.

“This is a forward thinking change to the structure of the MIA; bringing the full range of meetings professionals under our membership and ensuring long term member benefit.”

The change will mean additional value for existing members, who will be given the chance to meet, network and garner feedback with clients and end users. Industry buyers will also benefit from membership through access to quality, accredited venues and suppliers at preferential rates.

“We have already identified over 850 top level buyers who we will entice with the offer of free membership for one year,” continued Michael.

“With these three sectors all represented within the MIA, we are able to offer mutually beneficial value to everyone involved. This will include reduced rate access to venues and suppliers, regular networking and educational opportunities, tailored on line search facilities, and opportunities for inspection and familiarisation visits within the membership.”

“The MIA recognises that market conditions are progressively more competitive for our members and to be successful the MIA must seek new ways in which to give back to them,” concluded Michael.