Louisa Watson, 2025 Chair of beam and Marketing Director and Sustainability Lead at Wyboston Lakes Resort, has been named Personality of the Year at the 2026 M&IT Awards.
Presented at the M&IT Awards ceremony at Grosvenor House, London, on 18 September, the accolade recognises Louisa’s outstanding contribution to the meetings and events industry through her leadership, advocacy and commitment to positive change.
Louisa served as Chair of beam throughout 2025, becoming the first venue-based Chair in the association’s history. During her tenure, she helped strengthen beam’s position as a leading voice for the business events sector, building relationships across the industry and ensuring its members were represented at the highest levels of government.
During her year as Chair, Louisa helped expand beam’s advocacy work, strengthen industry collaboration and introduce further best practice guidance, while leading a programme of events that increased the association’s influence and impact.
Louisa Watson said:
“To be named M&IT Personality of the Year is incredibly special, particularly because this recognition comes from an industry that has played such an important part in my life and career.
“Serving as beam Chair in 2025 was a real privilege. It gave me the opportunity to work alongside people who care deeply about our sector and are prepared to give their time, experience and support to help move it forward. This award may have my name on it, but it reflects the energy and commitment of the whole beam community, as well as the on-going support and encouragement I receive every day from the team at Wyboston Lakes Resort.
“I am very proud of what we achieved together and hugely grateful to everyone whosupported me.”
David Tremmil, Chair of beam, commented:
“Anyone who has worked with Louisa will understand why she has received this award. She gives an enormous amount of herself to the industry, always making time for people and using her position to create opportunities for others.
“Louisa’s year as Chair strengthened beam, but her contribution goes far beyond any single role or term. She is a highly respected and much-loved figure across our sector, and I couldn’t be happier to see her recognised in this way.”
Alongside her voluntary work with beam, Louisa is Marketing Director & Sustainability Lead at Wyboston Lakes Resort. She has played a central role in repositioning the resort as a leading MICE destination while helping to accelerate its sustainability ambitions and achieveB Corp certification.
Steve Jones, CEO of Wyboston Lakes Resort, added:
“Louisa brings the same energy and determination to Wyboston Lakes that the wider industry has seen through her leadership of beam. She has played an important role in the transformation of our business, from how we position the resort to how we embed sustainability across our operations.
“Balancing that responsibility with the demands of chairing an industry association takes an extraordinary level of commitment. We are immensely proud of Louisa and delighted to see her receive this recognition.”
The Personality of the Year award celebrates individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the meetings and events industry through leadership, innovation and advocacy.
