The Meetings Industry Association announces finalists for the 2026 miaList

The 2026 miaList individual finalists for the 10 available positions are:

Abbie Tindal – Access Bookings
Daniela Flight – Jumeirah Carlton Tower London
Gail Aldridge – The Belfry Hotel & Resort
Hayley Hardy – Imago Venues
Jessica Kendrick – Eventurous
Kieron Bowen – Eventurous
Lisa Clarke – Hilton Birmingham Metropole
Lucy Nicholls – The PS Events Group
Matt Whiteman – The Venues Collection
Michelle Osborne – Nottingham Venues
Robert Mitchell – Company of Cooks (formerly Restaurant Associates) – Imperial War Museums
Susi Lennie – Crowne Plaza by IHG – Newcastle, Stephenson Quarter
Tracey Whyte – University of Birmingham
Lizzie Harwood – The Venues Collection
Tom Marsden – The University of Manchester
Tayyba Adeel – Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5

Presented for the first time this year, the Inspirational Leadership Award will recognise an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, professionalism and dedication. An evolution of the Executive Leader Award, it will be presented in memory of the late Gail Tomlinson-Short, a respected event professional and long-standing MIA member widely known for those qualities. The 2026 finalists include:

Andrew Secker – RBH Hospitality Management
Jacqui Bagnall – Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5
Leo Lloyd – Leopold Marketing Limited
Margaret Reeves – RefTech
Sam Glenister-Batey – University of Leeds Conferences and Events

Outstanding professionals, students and apprentices who have been in the industry for less than a year will also be recognised under the Rising Star category, where Gold, Silver and Bronze awards will be presented to celebrate exceptional emerging talent.

The 2026 finalists include:

Alannah Elliott – Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa
Alexander Carroll – Kimpton Clocktower
Ellen Reed – The University of Manchester
Emily Hill – The Venues Collection
Emily Richardson – Hotel Football
Isabel Harrison – The Belfry Hotel & Resort
Leah Mitchell – Arena Racing Company
Lucy Jones & Jamie Maycock – Eventurous
Roxanne Luckin – Crowne Plaza Newcastle
Scarlett Barker-Niland – The Belfry Hotel & Resort
Solangie Garzon Vargas – 1 Wimpole Street
Tori Hodges – University of Birmingham

The team and organisation-based categories will also be presented with bronze, silver, and gold honours to highlight the best contributions and inspiring success stories from across the sector. This includes:

Venue of the Year (Under 300 Capacity)

British Library
Chester Zoo
Churchill War Rooms – Company of Cooks (formerly Restaurant Associates) – Imperial War Museums
Crowne Plaza Gerrards Cross
Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre
Event Essex
Imago Venues – Burleigh Court Conference Centre & Hotel
Lumiere London Underwood Flagship Venue
Make Venues – Woodland Grange
Nottingham Venues – Jubilee Hotel and Conferences
Queen’s House
Rhodes House, Oxford

Venue of the Year (Over 300 Capacity)

British Motor Museum Meetings & Events
Carden Park Hotel
Celtic Manor Resort
Central Hall Westminster
Hilton Birmingham Metropole
ICC Wales
Nottingham Venues – East Midlands Conference Centre and Orchard Hotel
Regent’s Events
St James’ Park – Newcastle United Football Club

Agency of the year

Blackberry Events
Eventurous
Lemon Lane
Premier Events

Supplier of the Year

Just Smile Ltd
Leopold Marketing Limited
Selling Savvy

Event of the Year (Over 300 Attendees)

University of Birmingham
Whittlebury Park – Formula 1 British Grand Prix Weekend

Event of the Year (Under 300 Attendees)

Event Essex
Experience North East England – Media Gateway 2026
The Lowry – 25 Years of Excellence
Whittlebury Park – France & Ireland Women’s Rugby World Cup

Events & Operations Team of the Year

{10-11} Carlton House Terrace
30 Euston Square
Central Hall Westminster
Church House Westminster
Events@No6
First Travel Solutions
ICC Wales
Jumeirah Carlton Tower London
Make Venues – Broadway House
NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union
Royal Armouries
St James’ Park – Newcastle United Football Club
The Meetings Show – Events & Operations Team of the Year
The University of Manchester
Warwick Conferences

Sales & Marketing Team of the Year

Chesford Grange
Crowne Plaza Newcastle – Stephenson Quarter
Headingley Stadium
ICC Belfast
Imago Venues – Commercial Team
Regent’s Events
Royal Armouries
The Milner York
The Victory Services Club
Valor Hospitality – UK Sales and Marketing team

ESG Initiative

Celtic Manor Resort
Clean the World Global
Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5
Hinxton Hall Conference Centre
IET Venues: IET London, Savoy Place / IET Birmingham, Austin Court
NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union
University of Birmingham Conferences and Events
University of Leeds Conferences and Events

Inclusive Events Initiative

HB Cares Autism Initiative: From Awareness to Action
Lumiere London Underwood Flagship
MEN (Meetings and Events Network)
The Business of Events and ICC Wales
The Eastside Rooms
University of Leeds Conferences and Events