The Meetings Industry Association (mia) has officially announced the launch of its student membership, aiming to inspire the next generation of talent in the sector.
This membership offers exclusive educational and career opportunities for aspiring event professionals and serves as a platform for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
By becoming a dedicated member, students can avail themselves of a variety of exclusive benefits. For an annual fee of £45+VAT, they gain access to monthly meetings with expert mentors, referrals to mia members for work experience and placement opportunities, and inclusion on the mia’s upcoming student job board. Additionally, members receive invitations to special recruitment days and enjoy discounts on industry events.
The new initiative was unveiled during a dedicated ‘Next Generation’ tour and educational program at The Meetings Show. Kerrin MacPhie, the mia’s chief executive, expressed excitement about the student membership, stating that it has been a major focus since late 2021. The mia aims to provide clear direction and guidance to students aspiring to pursue a career in the sector, working in collaboration with member venues and suppliers.
MacPhie also mentioned that the mia would soon release research on the sector’s ongoing staffing and recruitment challenges. The study is expected to highlight that 73% of the sector would hire apprentices if relevant positions were available. The student membership is hoped to bridge this gap by presenting a pool of potential candidates.
To learn more about student membership, which is open to full-time or part-time students, apprentices, and those studying at colleges or universities, please visit: https://www.mia-uk.org/Student-Membership
Hippo offer Event Project Management and Global Venue Finding services. Contact us today on 01372 460 100 or events@hippoevents.co.uk to see how we can assist.