Principal. Global Events and Leonardo Hotel & Conference Venue Hinckley Island are double winners at the event industry Oscars in London

Principal. Global Events and Leonardo Hotel & Conference Venue Hinckley Island are double winners at the event industry Oscars in London

M&IT Awards: 13 September 2024, Grosvenor House Hotel, London

Wednesday 18 September

Two award-winning event businesses celebrated doubly hard on Friday night after being presented with two gongs apiece at the prestigious M&IT Awards in London. Dubbed the ‘Oscars’ of the events industry, the M&IT Awards were launched in 1987 and honour the remarkable accomplishments of industry leaders and innovators.

Events management agency Principal. Global Events won Best Intermediary Agency Mid-size (21-40 employees) and sales and marketing manager Eleni Kyprianou won The Chris Peacock Rising Star of the Year category, which was introduced in 2023 following the sad and sudden passing of Conference Care’s popular founder.

“I’m completely shocked and I’m honoured to have won an M&IT Award tonight. I’m so happy to be here and I’m excited to celebrate.,” said Eleni Kyprianou after winning on Friday night.

And Leonardo Hotel & Conference Venue Hinckley Island clinched trophies for Best UK Hotel and Best UK Conference Centre – both first-time M&IT Awards wins for the venue.

Other first-time winners included:

• Best UK Representation Company: hotel republic ltd
• Best Destination Management Company: Raising Stones Events (joint win with Vista Events DMC Greece)
• Best Intermediary Agency Small (up to 20 employees): ZiaBia Events Consultancy
• Best Positive Impact/Event Legacy Award: Lightbulb Teams – Immersive CSR Team Building Experiences (joint win with VisitBritain)
• Best Sustainable Initiative: Inntel
• Best Diversity and Inclusion Award: KERB
• Best Overseas Conference Centre: PortAventura Convention Centre
• Best Overseas Hotel: Sandals Royal Bahamian
• Personality of the Year: Danielle Bounds, Sales Director, ICC Wales

20 awards were presented on the night. Other victors included an 18th consecutive Best UK Convention Bureau win for Glasgow Convention Bureau.  KDM Events, Vista Events DMC Greece, Conference Care, Quadrant Events and Alton Towers Resort were also repeat M&IT Award-winners.

Organised by M&IT part of Northstar Meetings Group, the glittering and glamorous M&IT Awards are in their 37th year. Taking place at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London for the first time, this year’s event was a who’s who of the UK events industry bringing together 900 industry professionals to recognise the phenomenal people, businesses, creativity and resilience that drives the industry forward year after year.

“The M&IT Awards hold a special place in the meetings and events calendar because its winners represent the best of our industry and – equally importantly – are chosen by the industry,” said Paul Harvey, editor, M&IT.

“A huge and heartfelt congratulations to everyone who won on Friday night. To our many deserving finalists who were pipped at the post this time and those who were in the room feeling award-envy, we say, there’s always next year and you’ve got to be in it to win it. Entries for 2025 are expected to open over Christmas / New Year so keep an eye out for the announcement in the M&IT newsletter.

The winners list in full:

The Chris Peacock Rising Star of the Year presented by Conference Care

Eleni Kyprianou, Principal. Global Events

Best UK Representation Company sponsored by Sonder Hotels

hotel republic ltd

Best Destination Management Company sponsored by Virgin Voyages

Raising Stones Events

Vista Events DMC Greece

Best Overseas Convention Bureau sponsored by The Meetings Show

Visit Monaco Convention Bureau

Best UK Convention Bureau

Glasgow Convention Bureau

Best Event Provider sponsored by Jockey Club Venues

KDM Events

Best Intermediary Agency Small (up to 20 employees) sponsored by Atlantis Dubai

ZiaBia Events Consultancy

Best Intermediary Agency Mid-size (21-40 employees) sponsored by Barbican

Principal. Global Events

Best Intermediary Agency Large (40+ employees) sponsored by IHG Hotels & Resorts

Conference Care

Best Positive Impact/Event Legacy Award sponsored by MMGY Hills Balfour

Lightbulb Teams – Immersive CSR Team Building Experiences

VisitBritain

Best Sustainable Initiative sponsored by The Sustainable Events Course

Inntel

Best Diversity and Inclusion Award sponsored by Destination Vancouver

KERB

Best Technology Provider sponsored by Wonderful Copenhagen

Quadrant Events

Best Overseas Conference Centre sponsored by Association Meetings International

PortAventura Convention Centre

Best Overseas Hotel sponsored by Pearl Representation

Sandals Royal Bahamian

Best Hotel Brand sponsored by The Meetings Show Asia Pacific

Hilton

Best UK Unusual Venue sponsored by Soaring Worldwide

Alton Towers Resort

Best UK Conference Centre sponsored by The Delegate Wranglers

Leonardo Hotel & Conference Venue Hinckley Island

Best UK Hotel sponsored by M&IT Magazine

Leonardo Hotel & Conference Venue Hinckley Island

Personality of the Year sponsored by ExCeL London

Danielle Bounds, Sales Director, ICC Wales

About M&IT Awards:

Organised by Northstar Meetings Group, the M&IT Awards brings together all sectors of the industry to measure market reaction in rewarding excellence of service to those who have exceeded their customers’ expectations. This prestigious event, now in its 37th year, also raises funds for the event industry’s own charity- Meeting Needs – and is known as the Voice of the Industry due to the majority of winners being voted for by UK-based event organisers.

About Northstar Meetings Group:

Northstar Meetings Group is the premier online platform for business and sports event organisers, planners and incentive program professionals across all sectors – corporate, association, third-party organisations/agencies, SMERF (social, military, education, religious and fraternal meetings) – providing critical news analysis and research, practical strategies, creative solutions and sourcing services.

About M&IT – Meetings & Incentive Travel – by Northstar:

With more than 35 years’ experience in the corporate and incentive events industry, M&IT – Meetings & Incentive Travel – is the event industry’s leading corporate event brand; publishing an industry-focused magazine and running a host of popular networking events throughout the year.