Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey was among 60 plus MPs and peers to visit a UKEVENTS exhibition in Parliament highlighting the contribution of the UK events industry to the national
economy.
Over four days, UKEVENTS representatives engaged with
MPs and Lords, emphasising the £61.6 billion value of the sector and its
pivotal role in supporting local economies, driving business tourism, and
creating jobs across the country.
The exhibition provided an opportunity for
policymakers to connect with event industry leaders and gain a deeper
understanding of the sector’s value and its potential for future expansion.
A vision for growth
UKEVENTS
highlighted several key priorities for the sector, including:
- Developing a national
events strategy to unlock further economic growth and
ensure the UK remains a global leader in events.
- Integration of major
business and outdoor events with key governmental industrial and social
initiatives.
- Expansion of the
VisitBritain Business Events Growth Programme.
The event also showcased
the diversity and depth of the UK events sector, from business conferences and
exhibitions to live entertainment and cultural events, and their role in
facilitating growth within the visitor economy, propelling trade, exports and
inward investment, while also fostering scientific inquiry, innovation and
technological advancement.
Next steps
The
response from parliamentarians was overwhelmingly positive, with many
expressing their support for ongoing collaboration and future roundtable
discussions with UKEVENTS and its partners.
Glenn Bowdin, chair of UKEVENTS, said: “What became clear is that many MPs were largely
unaware of the full scale of our industry’s impact. This exhibition was a
valuable opportunity to present that message directly. The next step is to
build on this momentum, following up with policymakers to create an environment
where government proactively uses our industry to achieve its policy objectives
while unlocking even greater opportunities for growth.
“I would like to extend my personal thanks to Jack
Rankin, MP for Windsor and vice chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for
Events for sponsoring our event which granted us such a unique opportunity. My
sincere thanks to the multitude of MPs, Ladies, and Lords who came by to see
us.”
UKEVENTS
will follow up with policymakers in the coming months, encouraging MPs to visit
events, creative event agencies, and event production businesses in their
constituencies to witness first-hand the industry’s impact on their local
communities and economies.
'Like working a trade show stand'
Michael Hirst OBE, UKEVENTS, said: "It
was rather like working a trade show stand, catching parliamentarians on the
run to other meetings. You had to adopt all sorts of comments to attract their
attention. I convinced Aphra Brandreth, Conservative MP for Chester South
(daughter of the broadcaster Gyles Brandreth), to stop by telling her—after
some sleuthful research—that we were both born at Middlesex Hospital, albeit 35
years apart!
"In
most circumstances, we had less than 10 seconds to catch their attention, so we
used the elevator pitch, highlighting the £61.6 billion industry value, its
growth potential, and the breadth of activities our industry covers."
"The
UKEVENTS key message that resonated with the MPs we met was that, due to the
sheer diversity and value of the UK events industry and its potential for
growth, a comprehensive national events strategy would benefit the industry’s
future," said Lisa Hatswell, of Unique Venues of London. “MPs we met
included: Esther McVey, Neil O’Brien, Aphra Brandreth, Lord Bird, Lady
Winterton, and Chris Chope.”
Louisa Watson, chair of beam, hailed the positive conversations with MPs and lawmakers. She said: "It’s
clear from conversations with MPs and members of the House of Lords that they
understand business events are not only a key economic driver but also a
crucial part of local communities. We look forward to continuing this dialogue
and working with UK Events and the APPG to unlock further growth and
opportunities for our sector."
Shonali Devereaux, chief executive of the Meetings Industry Association, said that she was encouraged by the response from MPs.
"The
exhibition was a great way to shine a light on our industry, but it’s
disheartening that we’re still fighting for the recognition we deserve given
that events contribute £61 billion to the UK economy.
"We
were encouraged by how open MPs were to hearing our concerns, but they can only
act on issues raised by their constituents. We’ll be encouraging our members to
invite their local MPs to events. As a white-label industry, attending events
is a great chance for MPs to see first-hand the economic and social impact of
our sector."
MPs, Lords, Ladies and other
stakeholders who visited the UKEVENTS stand:
- Jack Rankin – MP for Windsor
- Luke Myer – MP for Middlesbrough South
and East Cleveland
- John Cooper – MP for Dumfries and Galloway
- Rebecca Long-Bailey – MP for Salford
- Louise Jones – MP for North East Derbyshire
- Sarah Edwards – MP for Tamworth
- Jonathan Brash – MP for Hartlepool
- Connor Naismith – MP for Crewe and Nantwich
- Helen Morgan – MP for North Shropshire
- Jo Platt – MP for Leigh and Atherton
- Josh Newbury – MP for Cannock Chase
- Brittany Cunnane – Parliamentary Assistant to
Emma Reynolds MP for Wycombe and Economic Secretary to HM Treasury
- Alison Bennett – MP for Mid Sussex
- Saqib Bhatti – MP for Meriden and Solihull
East, Shadow Minister for DCMS
- Jas Athwal – MP for Ilford South
- Jack Abbott – MP for Ipswich
- Sarah Dyke – MP for Glastonbury and
Somerton
- Anna Dixon – MP for Shipley
- Clive Jones – MP for Wokingham, Liberal
Democrat
- Paul Kohler – MP for Wimbledon, Liberal
Democrat
- Kenneth Stevenson – MP for Airdrie and Shotts
- Sonia Kumar – MP for Dudley
- Gill German – MP for Clwyd North
- Matt Turmaine – MP for Watford
- Andrew Ranger – MP for Wrexham
- Blake Stephenson – MP for Mid Bedfordshire
- Juliet Campbell – MP for Broxtowe
- Angus MacDonald – MP for Inverness, Skye and
West Ross-shire
- Claire Hughes – MP for Bangor Aberconwy
- Gordon McKee – MP for Glasgow South
- Elaine Stewart – MP for Ayr, Carrick and
Cumnock
- Patrick Spencer – MP for Central Suffolk and
North Ipswich
- Lord Morse – of Aldburgh
- Olivia Blake – MP for Sheffield Hallam
- Lord Mott – of Chatteris
- Gareth Snell – MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central
- Chris Hinchliff – MP for North East
Hertfordshire
- Connor Rand – MP for Altrincham and Sale
West
- Tom Gordon – MP for Harrogate and
Knaresborough
- Lorraine Beavers – MP for Blackpool North and
Fleetwood
- Claire Hanna – MP for Belfast South and Mid
Down
- Katrina Murray – MP for Cumbernauld &
Kirkintilloch
- Danny Beales – MP for Uxbridge and South
Ruislip
- Tracy Gilbert – MP for Edinburgh North and
Leith
- Catherine Atkinson – MP for Derby North
- Pam Cox – MP for Colchester
- Kerry McCarthy – MP for Bristol East,
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net
Zero)
- Ed Davey – MP for Kingston and Surbiton,
Leader of Lib Dems
- Rebecca Smith – MP for South West Devon
- Jonathan Ashworth – Former Shadow Secretary of
State for Work and Pensions
- Rosie Wrighting – MP for Kettering
- Mike Tapp – MP for Dover and Deal
- Rachel Taylor – MP for North Warwickshire and
Bedworth
- Gregor Poynton – MP for Livingston
- Cat Eccles – MP for Stourbridge
- Carla Denyer – MP for Bristol Central
- Rachel Gilmour – MP for Tiverton and Minehead
- Ed Chidley (representing Pippa Heylings,
MP for South Cambridgeshire)
- Esther McVey – MP for Tatton
- Neil O'Brien – MP for Harborough, Oadby and
Wigston
- Aphra Brandreth – MP for Chester South and
Eddisbury
- Kay Davies – House of Commons Events Team
- Lee Holt – House of Commons Events Team
- Lord Bird
- Lady Baroness Rosie Winterton
- Sir Christopher Chope – MP for Christchurch
- Josh Babarinde – MP for Eastbourne, Liberal
Democrat
- Vikki Slade – MP for Mid Dorset and North
Poole, Liberal Democrat
- Richard Quigley – MP for Isle of Wight West
