Political landscape and policy agenda discussed at The Business of Events: UK Policy Forum
The event took place on 8 November 2023 at IET London: Savoy Place in Westminster.
More than 170 delegates representing the UK government and the global business events, associations and education sectors, joined The Business of Events’ UK Policy Forum, which took place on Wednesday 8 November at IET London: Savoy Place in Westminster.
An official event as part of the Department for Business and Trade’s International Trade Week, the annual event is designed to educate the events industry on the current political landscape so that any policy agenda that is created can be done so with realistic objectives at its core. The content for this year’s event was specifically curated not just to align with International Trade Week but to discuss key events industry policy areas for which the UK government can benefit from.
The outcome of the event will be a summary report which will be submitted to government and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events and will be shared widely with the industry. This will then be discussed among The Business of Events Advisory Council and will contribute towards the development of a policy agenda for the events industry.
The event programme was packed with sessions from senior spokespeople from some of the UK’s largest event agencies, exhibition organisers, venues and government organisations.
Keynote speakers included Nick Watt, political editor at the BBC's Newsnight, who provided an overview of the current political landscape and a look at its future and Theresa Villiers MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events who provided an update on group’s work and advocacy efforts. She was joined by Rachel McGuickin from VisitBelfast and Ian Edwards of ICC Wales who shared their own views on the relationship with government and outlined what they were working on to help drive the industry forwards.
The session titled ‘How Trade Shows Contribute to the UK Economy’ heard Chris Gallon, CEO EMEA of Clarion, one of the world's biggest organisers, outline the UK’s landscape, while Paul Black, head of business events at Visit Britain revealed details of a new initiative to showcase strategically important trade shows to international markets for hosted delegations. Chris Skeith OBE, chair, UKEVENTS shared the latest findings of the economic impact study which indicated that the exhibitions and trade shows sector was in a strong period of growth.
Nick Watt and Shonali Devereaux
Nick Watt and Shonali Devereaux
Theresa Villiers MP
Theresa Villiers MP
In the session entitled Exporting Creativity, major event producer Martin Green CBE was joined by Michael Gietzen, CEO of Identity and Hannah Kelly from BCD Meetings and Events to discuss Britain's role as a nation that is highly regarded internationally as a leading events destination and exporter.
It was discussed how events are a great means of soft power which can help governments achieve their own policy objectives, but also highlighted the challenges surrounding visa rules for Britons working across the EU. Education and skills were also noted as a core fundamental for maintaining the UK's reputation for creativity.
The final session of the day explored the merits of ambassador programmes and heard from Dr Helge Wurdeman, who has worked with London and Partners to bring specialised robotics conference to the city for several years. He was joined by Stephanie Newton from Marketing Manchester and Laura Wilson from VisitAberdeenshire, who both explained how their ambassador programmes have benefited their destinations.
The closing address was delivered by Anita Mendiratta, special advisor to the Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, who spoke passionately about collaboration but also stressed that the outcomes and legacy of the event were just as important as the day itself.
Speaking on the event, Martin Fullard, associate director, The Business of Events said: “The UK Policy Forum is an important event for the sector as we bring together senior industry leaders industry stakeholders, policymakers, government officials and trade associations and highlight the fantastic work of our sector, which is a hotbed for trade and innovation at a domestic level.
“We are grateful to all of our speakers who have contributed to this event, in particular Nick Watt of BBC Newsnight and Theresa Villiers the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for events for their incredibly valuable insights.”
The UK Policy Forum was preceded by The Business of Events: Westminster dinner hosted at 116 Pall Mall in partnership with Searcys, which was attended by senior event industry stakeholders.
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