Point of View: Laura Miller

Laura Miller
Director of the Match Group at VIP Matchdays

As part of our commitment to championing the industry, we are talking to people about their careers and what IEM means to them.

Laura is a Director of VIP Matchdays, an experienced corporate hospitality and events company with over 20 years’ in the industry, specialising in finding the absolute best hospitality packages for clients at key events and venues around the UK and abroad.  Prior to that she was Head of Hospitality at Super League Hospitality – the Official Hospitality Partner to Betfred Super League, responsible for the delivery of hospitality for their key events: Magic Weekend and Super League Grand Final – Head of Commercial at Doncaster Rovers FC – responsible for the day-to-day management and strategy for the business side of the football club, managing a team of commercial staff to deliver a sponsorship budget of £1.4m. – and Project Manager at International Stadia Group – raising over £60million in revenue streams for Football and Rugby Clubs and their New Stadia.

Q What does the IEM mean to you?
A The events sector has always been hugely important to us as a company but also me as an individual. The hospitality agencies have not been represented throughout the pandemic but we see the contribution of event managers everyday to support and help the sector and clients. We know what it takes to run an amazing event we hope IEM can help young people get into the industry and show them this too.

Q Why did you decide it was important for you to get involved?
A We decided to get involved because we wanted to show our support for the industry in the hardship that it has experienced in the COVID-19 pandemic and want it to bounce back. It is now the perfect time to transform the industry to bring more young people into the events sector and we think IEM is the perfect way to do this.

Q Where do you hope to see the IEM in 20 years’ time?
A To provide training courses, prompt people to have qualified people or experienced event companies to manage more events for clients and more representation for event planners.

Q What is your favourite event related memory?
A Nothing beats seeing your team win at Wembley and I was very fortunate to experience the ultimate day out back in 2008 – I saw my own hometown team (Hull City) promoted to the Premier League via the Wembley Play Off Final on the Saturday then going back the next day to watch my club I worked for Doncaster Rovers, beat Leeds Utd to be promoted the Championship on the Sunday. An amazing weekend of memories never to be forgotten.