The UK Meetings Industry Association (MIA) has announced the appointment of its first executive director.

Ruth Dawson joins the MIA after recently working with Sovereign Holidays, part of First Choice Plc. Dawson was global brand director at representation company Utell, and has previously held senior positions within Hotel Group Golden Tulip Worldwide and Eurotunnel.

The appointment of an executive director follows the completion of a strategic review carried out earlier this year by the association, which set a target to grow membership from the current 650 organisations to 1,000 within three years.

The role of the executive director will be to lead the existing commercial and administrative teams and implement the findings of the review. Peter Darnell, MIA president, said: "I believe this appointment is a significant step for us and one which will drive through the strategic developments necessary to continue to deliver tangible benefits to our members, achieve our objective of significantly growing membership and maintain the role of the MIA as the voice of the UK meetings industry".

Dawson said; "This is a great opportunity for me to play a part in further growing the association by creating additional value for members."