When a minister requests a meeting with the events industry in their first two weeks, it matters. Glenn Bowdin, chair of UKEVENTS, reveals here how his conversation with Stephanie Peacock MP covered collaboration, data, education - and how events can help drive growth across the UK...
Recently, I had the opportunity to meet Stephanie Peacock
MP, the new Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth.
It’s always encouraging when a new minister makes time for the events industry,
and the fact this meeting took place within her first two weeks in post is a
really positive sign.
The meeting was at her request, and it gave me the chance to introduce UKEVENTS;
who we are, who we represent, and how we help connect the industry with
government. The conversation was open and constructive, and it’s clear that
Minister Peacock is keen to understand the breadth of the events sector and the
value it brings to the UK.
I shared an overview of our partners, and we talked about how
events support government priorities, whether through boosting the visitor
economy, strengthening the creative industries, or generating economic
and social impact right across the UK.
Among the specific areas we discussed were:
- The
importance of a strategic, joined-up approach to events across
government.
- The
ongoing success of VisitBritain’s Business Events Growth Programme.
- The
opportunity to embed events more fully in the Visitor Economy Growth
agenda.
- The
need for a revised SIC code to secure better data and recognition
for our industry.
- The
continued growth of events education and skills development, from
apprenticeships to postgraduate study.
I was particularly encouraged by the minister’s interest in
understanding which business and cultural events could benefit from
further government support. It’s an early but meaningful step towards stronger
collaboration.
At UKEVENTS, our role is to ensure the industry’s voice is heard and
that policymakers recognise the essential contribution events make to the UK’s
economy, communities, and global reputation. This meeting was a reminder that
those conversations do make a difference, and that there is genuine interest in
what we do.
We’ll now be following up with a more detailed briefing to the minister,
building on this early engagement and ensuring the events industry continues to
have a seat at the table where decisions are made.
