Conference Oxford welcomes Kerrin MacPhie, CEO of the Meetings Industry Association

Conference Oxford is the central enquiry point for anyone looking to host an event within the University of Oxford. Conference Oxford represents 68 Oxford University and college venues, all offering outstanding facilities for every type of event.  

On Tuesday the 17th of May, Conference Oxford held their Conference Managers’ Meeting in St Hilda's College’s stunning Riverside Pavilion. Over 50 of their members joined them. John Banbrook, Chair of Conference Oxford and Marie O’Connor, Head of Conference Oxford, were delighted to welcome guest speaker Kerrin MacPhie, Chief Executive of The Meetings Industry Association (mia), to the meeting.  

Kerrin is a leading figure in the business meetings and events industry. Prior to taking on her role at the Meetings Industry Association in November 2021, Kerrin was Head of Business Events at Visit Britain/Visit England. Her extensive knowledge and passion for events has ensured the mia has continued to grow and adapt to the future needs of the industry. Kerrin reflected on some of the challenges facing the meetings industry post pandemic and offered advice on how best to move forward.  

The Meetings Industry Association (mia) is the principal association supporting and growing the business meetings and events industry in the UK, and the keeper of AIM, the UK’s only recognised quality standard for the meetings industry. The mia is a leader of best practise in the events sector and works to support and welcome every genre of meeting professional. The team at Conference Oxford were so pleased that Kerrin was able to visit Oxford and share her insights with their University of Oxford and college venues,  

During Kerrin’s stay in Oxford, she also took the opportunity to see some of Conference Oxford’s wonderful venues. She visited Trinity College for a tour of their new Levine Building, recently officially opened by HRH The Prince of Wales, followed by a visit to the Sheldonian theatre to climb the 114 steps leading to their Cupola to experience the stunning and unique views of Oxford's historic city centre, and finally  the Bodleian Libraries to see the historic Divinity School and Convocation House. 

Kerrin MacPhie commented “It was wonderful to be invited to attend Conference Oxford’s members’ meeting at St Hilda’s College and to have the opportunity to experience first-hand some of the fantastic venues that are available to host a range of business meetings and events in the area.  

The visit provided a great opportunity to talk not only about the challenges that our industry is currently facing both on a regional and national basis, but to also discuss the opportunities that have arisen since the pandemic and how the mia is supporting its membership. There’s a renewed sense of community across the entire sector, which has inspired many new initiatives, collaborations and innovations which are certainly also being witnessed in Oxford.” 

The sun shining on St Hilda's Riverside Pavilion made for a picturesque location for the meeting. The Conference Managers and guests enjoyed morning coffee on the wonderful garden terrace of St Hilda’s overlooking the river Cherwell, the idyllic scene completed by people punting along the river. It was the perfect occasion to welcome Kerrin MacPhie to Oxford, and to celebrate a successful return to conferences and events in Oxford.

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