The Events Industry Alliance
(EIA) has reiterated the importance of the sector to Westminster’s Business and
Trade Committee’s inquiry on export-led growth.
The cross-party committee of
MPs is using the inquiry to examine how well equipped the UK is to achieve the
Government’s target of £1 trillion exports by 2030. It will also consider how
the UK can take advantage of export opportunities in emerging technologies and
critical international supply chains.
The EIA’s response to the
inquiry offered an introduction to the business events sector and outlined the
ways in which the industry is a British success story fuelling travel, tourism
and hospitality while acting as a catalyst for growth by bringing together
investors, innovators and customers from around the world.
The response also featured more
detailed insight into the opportunities for growth that already exist due to
the large number of trade shows that cover key policy areas of interest to UK
policymakers.
The EIA used this as an
opportunity to attend to the difficulties the industry has faced when trying to
galvanise Government recognition and support for the industry.
The EIA told the inquiry that be
it through soft support by way of engagement with key trade shows and
exhibitions or more recognition of the industry as a separate entity requiring
tailored support and subsidies, there is more to be done to enable the business
events industry to maximise its contribution towards the Government’s target of
£1 trillion in exports by 2030.
Chris Skeith, director, EIA
said: “The EIA is in the privileged position to represent businesses across
the industry from world-class venues to organisers hosting high profile shows
across key business sectors and the crucial accredited suppliers that service
them.
“As part of increasing our
programme of advocating to MPs on behalf of our members we have been responding
to Westminster Select Committee inquiries more frequently.
“We were glad to have an
opportunity to reiterate the importance of the industry to the Business and
Trade Committee and emphasise the huge potential it has to contribute positively
to the Government’s aim to reach £1 trillion worth of exports.”
