The individuals and organisations who secured a place on the prestigious 2025 miaList were unveiled by The Meetings Industry Association’s (MIA) last night.
Hosted at the new Masters Suite at The Belfry Hotel & Resort, the miaList once again shone a spotlight on the exceptional talent, innovation and dedication driving success across the business meetings and events sector.
Alongside inspiring individuals and organisations recognised for their outstanding contributions, ICC Wales took the crown for Venue of the Year (Over 300 Delegates), while Edgbaston Park Hotel & Conference Centre took gold for Venue of the Year (Under 300 Delegates). Other accolades included the inaugural Executive Leader of the Year award, presented to Paul Casement of Brighter for his inspirational leadership and development of the Brighter brand and proposition in the last 12 months.
From bold leadership and game-changing projects to rising stars and dynamic teams, the evening was a true celebration of the creativity, leadership and innovations that continue to drive the UK’s business meetings and events sector forward.
The 10 individuals to secure a place this year were:
- Chelsea Rolfe, University of Leeds Conferences and Events
- Christine Ferris, Legacy Hotels & Resorts
- Claudia Platt, Radisson Hotel Group
- Deborah Collins, The Belfry Hotel & Resort
- Kate Mullen, Whittlebury Park
- Lisa Morris, The Venues Collection
- Ros Wilson, Edgbaston Stadium
- Sammy Connell, NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union
- Sasha Lee, BMA House
- Tia Goadby, Leonardo Hotels
The full list of winners also include:
Rising Star Award
Gold: Michaela Best, Melia Hotels International
Silver: Katie Gallagher, Crowne Plaza Hotel Newcastle
Bronze: Gabby Beetham, University of Leeds
Executive Leader of The Year
Gold: Paul Casement, Brighter
Silver: Andy Barnsdale, The Milner York
Bronze: Margaret Reeves, RefTech
Chef of the Year
Gold: Robert Pearce, Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate
Silver: Dean Cole, The Belfry Hotel & Resort
Bronze: Matthew Martins, Holiday Inn East Kilbridge (Kew Green Hotels)
Venue of the Year (Over 300 delegates)
Gold: ICC Wales
Silver: Spaces at The Spine
Bronze: Silverstone
Venue of the Year (Under 300 delegates)
Gold: Edgbaston Park Hotel & Conference Centre
Silver: Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa
Bronze: Chester Zoo
Agency of the Year
Gold: C2Events
Silver: Inntel
Bronze: Access Bookings Ltd
Supplier of the Year
Gold: Leopold Marketing
Silver: Eventurous
Bronze: TranslateAble
Event of the Year
Gold: The One Global Unity Forum, Montenegro – Brighter
Silver: British Grand Prix – Whittlebury Park
Bronze: Unlocking Our Full Potential, Dunelm’s Annual Conference – Meet & Potato
Initiative of the Year
Gold: LGH Hotels Management Ltd
Silver: Edwards & Finn Consultancy Ltd
Bronze: The Power of Events
Destination Team of the Year
Gold: Experience Oxfordshire Venues
Silver: Meet in Wales
Sales & Marketing Team of the Year
Gold: Marriott MCR – A Collective
Silver: Crowne Plaza Newcastle – Stephenson Quarter
Bronze: Searcys at 116 Pall Mall
Event & Operations Team of the Year
Gold: Whittlebury Park
Silver: Cavendish Venues
Bronze: Central Hall Westminster
ESG Award
Gold: BMA House
Silver: De Vere Hotels
Bronze: Edgbaston Stadium
DEI Award
Gold: NASUWT Events 2025
Silver: Warwick Conferences
Bronze: KERB
MIA chief executive, Shonali Devereaux, said: “This has been my first miaList Awards ceremony as Chief Executive, and it has been an absolute privilege to celebrate how much passion, dedication and talent there is in our sector. These awards really are the Pride of the Industry.
“Each of this year’s winners embodies the spirt of excellence and resilience that keeps our industry moving forward and it is this drive and commitment that will keep our sector on track and thriving. This is a shining example of what can be achieved when passion meets purpose.
“I would like to extend my thanks to our judges, sponsors and partners for their invaluable support in bringing our annual awards to life. Like our industry, the miaList continues to evolve, and I am already looking forward to celebrating more incredible achievements in 2026.”
miaList nominees were assessed by an expert panel of industry professionals including QEII Centre’s Mark Green, The Belfry Hotel & Resort’s Katie Niland, Jason Gutteridge from Venue Directory, Leopold Marketing’s Leo Lloyd, Charlo Briggs from Universal Live, Sammy Connell from NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union, Jack Marczewski from Northstar Travel Group, PPHE Hotel Group’s Amy Russell, business events and tourism expert Jenny Jensen, Inntel’s Douglas O’Neill, Meet Cambridge’s Andrew Bell, TBA Group’s Richard Bridge, Lynn Hardaker from Cairn Hotel Group and Melanie Cash from Melanie Cash Training & Consultancy.
