We are delighted to announce that our COO, Sarah Franczak has been awarded a place on the Meetings Industry Association’s 2023 miaList. Sarah picked up her award at a glittering ceremony held on 6th October at Park Plaza Victoria.
This is the thirteenth year that the miaList has recognised ‘inspiring individuals and teams who continually go the extra mile and play an essential role in contributing to the success of their organisations.’
Sarah was one of ten individuals to secure a place on the miaList in a year that was more competitive than ever. Following her promotion to COO in the newly rebranded Central Hall Venues in 2022, she has played a key role in its development as a multi-venue organisation for the UK and overseeing the return of CHV operations to pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, she was instrumental in overseeing and helping to deliver several high profile and complex world events.
Not long after her promotion, Sarah became involved in one of the most momentous occasions the world has ever seen – the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 at Westminster Abbey. Sarah and her team had just ten days to prepare Central Hall Westminster as a media centre for the event with international broadcast crews attending to show live footage to millions of people across the world. Shortly afterwards in May 2023, Sarah and the team delivered another exceptional broadcasting service for His Majesty King Charles III’s Coronation.
A recent staff survey revealed that 100% of the team feel proud to work for CHV and this award recognises Sarah’s role in this, while also encouraging a ‘client first’ culture and forging strong relationships with key service partners including our AV and tech company White Light, and caterers, Green & Fortune.
Sarah is described by staff as a delight to work with – with her leadership, attention to detail, diligence, not to mention her warmth and humour being second to none. She is also generous with her time in supporting staff and has taken part in multiple charity initiatives including walking hundreds of miles for MacMillan Cancer Support.
The judges commented: “Not only have you demonstrated everything that is great about our industry, but you’re a highly driven professional and a true ambassador for meetings and events. You’re a dynamic leader that can turn a hand to any event, no matter what. Clearly an achiever, you have to see her great stats and her incredible numbers.”
Kerrin MacPhie, Chief Executive of the mia, comments: “In what has been a competitive year for the miaList following a record number of entries, it is a huge achievement for Sarah to have secured a spot on our roll of honour. To secure this spot is no mean feat, as Sarah joins a list of some of the most inspiring professionals across the sector past and present. Central Hall Venues has undergone well-recognised developments, and our judges felt it was necessary to recognise the pivotal role Sarah has played in this.”
Sarah Franczak adds: “I feel so honoured to have made it onto the miaList for 2023 and am also grateful for the support of my colleagues. I could not have won this award without them.”
