Endorsements
	VisitBritain is pleased to endorse the Meetings Industry Association's Accredited In Meetings (AIM) quality assurance scheme as a national standard for business meeting venues. The quality of meeting venues is an important factor as this key sector develops and grows to compete with destinations from all over the world. Welcoming the largest event in the world in 2012 is a perfect incentive to raise the bar and improve on the quality of our successful and dynamic events industry. VisitBritain is encouraging all meeting venues in England to become accredited under the AIM scheme, as we believe this is a standard venues should aspire to achieve. As well as driving best practice in terms of quality of product and service delivery, the accreditation also covers criteria for environmental and corporate responsibility issues. As an entry standard, we would encourage venues to achieve the AIM entry level but hope they will seek to obtain the Silver and Gold accolades as their business progresses.
	Visit Wales  "It's a positive move for Visit Wales to endorse the AIM scheme. By including AIM branding within our Star Quality printed material from 2011 and including AIM accreditation as a search criteria when looking for a venue on our new Business Visits and Events website; we will be actively endorsing the AIM scheme as a national standard for Wales and encouraging venues across the country to not only join but also achieve the Silver and Gold Standards"
	MeetEngland is the official body responsible for promoting England's superb Business Visits and Events product. Our aim is to raise awareness of the diversity and quality of our product and win more meetings, incentives, conferences and events through effective sales and marketing initiatives both within the UK and around the world.  Is part of the national tourism organisation, VisitEngland, we are committed to ensuring that visitors to England receive the highest quality experience throughout their stay in our country.  We are delighted therefore to endorse AIM, the leading Venue Accreditation Scheme in Britain for the meetings and events industry. "The quality of the visitor experience is paramount to the continued growth of the English visitor economy. VisitEngland already has in place highly successful quality schemes for accommodation and attractions.  The MIA's scheme, AIM, meets all the criteria we would expect from a quality scheme and we are delighted to put our full support behind it" Simon Gidman, Business Visits and Events Manager at VisitEngland.
	ABPCO is the organisation that represents UK Professional Conference and Event Organisers, their industry colleagues and those studying for or pursuing a career in the Meetings Industry.  Founded in 1981, ABPCO has historically been the only association in the UK whose Full and Associate members are exclusively individual Professional Conference and Event Organisers who are subject to eligibility, based on experience and professionalism. ABPCO is one of very few conference and event industry associations to select Full and Associate Members based on peer assessment meaning clients and suppliers can expect ABPCO Members to deliver business and ethical standards in the management of national and international association and corporate conferences, seminars, meetings, exhibitions and other events. ABPCO also offers Corporate Membership to tourism authorities, destination marketing bureaux, convention centres, venues and other industry suppliers to help establish further links to those organisations already supporting the Association. Friend Membership to those individuals who are retired, taking a career break or working in associated industry sectors and Entry Level Membership is open to both under and post graduate conference and event management students and to those looking to move into the industry from another sector. ABPCO is delighted to acknowledge the importance of Accredited In Meetings by endorsing AIM. As the only UK Association for conference and event organisers whose Full and Associate Membership are subject to eligibility based on experience, professionalism and peer assessment, ABPCO recognises the importance of AIM in ensuring this professionalism extends across the service sector of our industry.
	"AIM, Accredited In Meetings is a superb initiative that MPI is pleased to support and endorse.  As the UK and Ireland Chapter of the world's leading association for meeting professionals; we are constantly looking for new ways for our industry to raise its game and demonstrate professionalism and credibility.  AIM is a great example of our industry working together to create a standard that all can look up to and recognise as a mark of quality and success."   Anthony Hyde, 2009 president MPI UK and Ireland Chapter and Barbican, head of corporate sales.