Andrew Winterburn and Ian Quartermaine, who both have years of experience in the sector, have been appointed to oversee Advantage Meetings and Events.

The business division will provide resources, expert knowledge, assistance and a white-labelled full-service event management offering for all Advantage members.

Launching on June 12, Advantage Meetings and Events will be available first to UK members, before being rolled out internationally in 2019 to the WIN Global Travel Network.

Advantage members will now have access to a dedicated Advantage Meetings and Events team, “who will act as a seamless extension of their own business” and provide additional support across the membership, from corporate travel management companies through to leisure agents.

Members can choose from a mix of additional products to meet the business needs of their clients and the level of their own in-house expertise.

Assistance will range from full service meetings management and marketing support, to venue finding, support on complex RFP and RFI development, as well as training and development.

Members will also have access to pre-negotiated hotel rates, the ability to request and book group rates with selected carries, supplier agreements with DMCs as well as print and design providers.

Additional operational support such as budget and financial management, standard operating procedures and on-site event management staff can also be arranged by Advantage.

Neil Armorgie, global product director at Advantage, said: “We listened to our members and identified that more than two-thirds would like a meetings and events solution, with 88% already implementing meetings but requiring additional support.

“We are delighted to be launching a service that will support every member, whether they are established in the M&E sector, or just starting out.”

He added: “The meetings and events offering will help members add value to their services for existing customers, generate new business and increase their profit margins.”