The Events Industry Alliance (EIA) is urging UK and EU policymakers to prioritise the establishment of a
Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for the business events sector in future
trade discussions.
The new campaign aims to ensure that the UK can continue to be a leading global destination for business events. An EIA spokesperson said that an MRA would "reduce red tape, restore confidence and enable UK and EU businesses to collaborate more freely".
While other creative sectors have received reassurance
of ongoing discussions to solve issues, such as touring musicians, the events
industry remains largely excluded from the discussion.
UK-based event suppliers and professionals face
mounting challenges and increased costs for EU exhibitors. A recent EIA survey
revealed that 82 per cent of business event suppliers surveyed believe Brexit
has negatively impacted their operations, with 67 per cent reporting direct
business losses.
One high-profile casualty of these trade barriers was
the relocation of ICE, the world’s largest gaming and technology trade show, from
London to Barcelona - resulting in an estimated £250 million loss to the UK
economy.
The trade association believes there is an opportunity
to strengthen economic collaboration and restore the UK’s position as a premier
global destination for business events. The aim of this is to support smoother
short-term cross-border activity, maintain the UK’s strong position in global
trade and strengthen the appeal of the UK as a venue for international events.
However post-Brexit challenges - from increased
paperwork to mobility restrictions - are making it harder for businesses to
exhibit and operate across borders.
A spokesperson for the EIA said: “The perception that the
UK is less welcoming, less efficient and less accessible than European
counterparts must be urgently addressed if the UK is to remain a global meeting
place for industry, innovation and investment. A Mutual Recognition Agreement
with the EU would reduce red tape, restore confidence and enable UK and EU
businesses to collaborate more freely.
“The current operating
environment also makes it difficult for UK businesses, especially those in the
supply chain, to operate within the EU due to restrictions on the movement of
people and goods. The current process has led to millions lost in business to
UK supply chain companies. Unfortunately, most of this money is lost to EU
competitors and is taking added value away from the UK economy and damaging
growth prospects.”
The campaign is also backed by a cross party grouping
of MPs in Parliament. Shaun Davies, Labour MP for Telford and chair of the All-Party
Parliamentary Group for Events, said: “Business events are a
vital driver of trade, innovation and regional growth across the UK. Ensuring
this sector can thrive in a global context is in all our interests. A Mutual
Recognition Agreement between the UK and EU, focused on the events industry, is
a practical step that could reduce friction, support exporters and reaffirm the
UK’s role as a world-leading destination for business.”
The campaign is also backed by EEIA, the European
Exhibition Industry Alliance, a collaboration between the two major
associations uniting Europe’s trade fair organisers, venue operators and
service partners of the industry.
Barbara Weizsäcker, secretary general of the European
Exhibition Industry Alliance, said: “European exhibition and
event organisers and suppliers have long valued the UK as a key partner and
destination for international business events as did the UK organisers and
suppliers, implementing events and supplying their services within the European
Union. Reducing current administrative and mobility barriers through a
sector-specific Mutual Recognition Agreement would be a welcome step. It would
not only ease operational challenges on both sides but also strengthen
cooperation between our industries, supporting growth and innovation both in
the UK and the European Union.”
The EIA is calling on the UK Government to:
- Pursue bilateral
agreements with EU member states to allow visa-free travel for event professionals.
-
Support the development
of a sector-specific MRA to ease cross-border operations for UK and EU event
businesses.
The UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA)
provides a framework for such MRAs, and the EIA believes this is a timely and
achievable step.
The EIA stands ready to work with policymakers to
ensure the UK remains the world’s meeting place for innovation, trade and
investment.
