Why the M&IT Awards matter: four sponsors on celebration, connection and what comes next

As the M&IT Awards prepare to bring the industry together once again, four of this year's sponsors reveal why they are supporting the event – and what makes it such an important fixture in the business events calendar.

The M&IT Awards are about more than trophies.

For the companies sponsoring this year's ceremony, it represents an opportunity to celebrate an industry they are proud to work in, recognise the people and ideas pushing it forward, and reconnect with colleagues, clients and peers.

With this year's ceremony taking place at JW Marriott Grosvenor House London on Friday 18 September, M&IT spoke to four of its sponsors about why they have chosen to support the Awards - and what they are looking forward to on the night.

“Celebrate the best of the best”

For Julia Green, sales and commercial manager at Center Parcs Conferences and Events, sponsoring an award is an opportunity to support the industry - and showcase more of what Center Parcs Conferences and Events does.

“We're really proud to sponsor an award at this year's M&IT Awards,” she says. “It's great to sponsor an award in an industry that we're really proud to work in and that we love.

“The M&IT Awards is often called the Oscars of the events industry, and it really is a special event,” she adds.

“It's a great night to celebrate the best of the best in the industry, network with peers, agencies, and just celebrate the meeting and events industry.”

And after another busy year for the sector, Green is looking forward to some time away from the day-to-day.

“What I'm most looking forward to about the evening is the opportunity for some glitz and glam to celebrate the best of the best in the industry and to celebrate with my own team and some of our suppliers.”

“Celebrating the people behind its successes”

For Adam Pollington, sales director at Olympia Events, the Awards are about recognising the people and organisations raising standards across the industry.

“The M&IT Awards celebrate the people and organisations that continue to raise standards across the meetings and events industry,” he says.

As Olympia enters a new chapter following its £1.3bn transformation, Pollington says the venue is proud to support an event that recognises “the innovation, the creativity, and collaboration required to deliver exceptional experiences.”

He describes the Awards as “one of the industry's most anticipated celebrations of the year”, highlighting just what makes it special.

“They recognise the partnerships, the creativity, and the commitment behind successful events,” he says. “To bring the industry together to celebrate those achievements makes them a highlight of the events calendar.”

There will also be a particular reason for the Olympia team to celebrate this year, with its head of sales for the ICC, Brittany McLaren, shortlisted for the Chris Peacock Rising Star of the Year Award.

“We'll be cheering Brit on and celebrating the talented team helping shape Olympia's next chapter,” says Pollington.

“We're really looking forward to catching up with colleagues, clients, and peers from across the industry and celebrating the people behind its successes.”

“We mustn't forget ourselves”

For Jodie Price, sales director at Hotel La Tour, the Awards are an opportunity to recognise an industry that has experienced significant change and challenges in recent years.

The Milton Keynes-based independent luxury hotel is sponsoring the Technology Award, reflecting Price's view of the rapid changes taking place across hospitality.

“We have seen in our industry a huge innovation in the technology space, with AI coming and a variety of different systems and tools now that are available,” she says.

“It's really changed the hospitality industry, and I think that's why it's so important to us as a hotel as well. We're really keen on staying ahead of the curve and keeping up with these new initiatives that are available.”

But for Price, the night is ultimately about people.

“I think you know the hospitality industry has faced huge challenges over the last five to six years, and I think now more than ever, it's so important to bring everybody together.”

She believes the Awards provides a valuable opportunity for colleagues and competitors alike to reconnect and celebrate what the industry has achieved.

“It's great to mix with industry peers and really celebrate everybody's successes,” she says.

“And of course, we are an industry that deals with people, so we mustn't forget ourselves, and it is really important that we celebrate us as well.”

As for what she's looking forward to?

“Oh, I think that's easy. You know, I'm so excited to celebrate with industry peers, hear about everybody's achievements, you know, see some new faces, catch up with old faces.”

“It's just a great opportunity for everybody to reconnect.”

“Hitting the dancefloor, obviously!”

For Anders Emborg, international senior sales manager, congress & large events at Bella Center Copenhagen, the Awards also provides an opportunity to strengthen the venue's connections with the UK market.

“We want to connect with new UK agencies and make our brand better known,” he says. “We feel that the sponsor package allows us to engage with a lot of interesting and fun people.”

Denmark's largest congress and exhibition venue works closely with UK agencies and end clients, making the Awards an important networking opportunity.

Emborg says the scale and production of the ceremony make it an event worth travelling for.

“The level of detail, the great venue and the sheer size makes this event one you don't want to miss even if you're located in Denmark.”

And while the other sponsors highlighted celebration, recognition, technology and networking, Emborg is perhaps the most succinct when asked what he's looking forward to most.

“Hitting the dancefloor obviously!”

Across the four sponsors, the reasons for supporting the M&IT Awards may differ - from celebrating innovation and technology to building new relationships and recognising individual achievement.

But there is a common thread.

At a time when the industry is increasingly focused on AI, new technology and changing ways of working, the M&IT Awards remains an opportunity for people to do something rather more traditional: come together, celebrate each other and enjoy being part of the events industry.