MPs to examine potential of UK events sector in new government inquiry

A cross-party group of MPs will examine the potential of the UK’s business events sector as part of a newly announced government inquiry.

The initiative was revealed at The Business of Events 2025 Global Policy Forum in Westminster on 1 April. Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Culture, Media and Sport select committee, made the announcement during her closing address at the event, held at IET London: Savoy Place. 

The inquiry will examine the sector’s challenges, growth potential, and international competitiveness, culminating in a session later this year where industry representatives will be invited to give evidence.

“My committee are keen to understand the challenges, growth potential and how to avoid falling behind international competitors,” Dame Caroline said. “If we don’t jump at the opportunity to grow this sector, we may lose out on the many benefits of developing Britain’s business events industry. The success of the business events sector is vital to the continuing success of all the CMS sectors, and as the select committee, we are not going to take our eye off the ball. We want to amplify the voices that say future growth isn’t guaranteed unless we get our act together and push the government to take the action needed to support the growth of this thriving industry.”

The inquiry is among the first five state of play investigations launched by the Select Committee. It follows proposals submitted by The Business of Events, the Events Industry Alliance, and ACC Liverpool, as part of a month-long bidding process that saw 256 applications from a broad range of industries.

The announcement capped a day of discussions at The Business of Events Global Policy Forum, sponsored by event management compaby RX. The event began with a keynote speech by tourism minister Sir Chris Bryant, who highlighted the role of business events in the UK’s Tourism Action Plan.

Lord Daniel Finkelstein OBE and Trish Lynch Photo Credit: TBEO

Other notable speakers included Lord Finkelstein OBE, columnist and politician, and Mike Wood MP, member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events. Industry experts Kerry Prince, UK MD at RX, and Lori Hoinkes, CEO of Manchester Central, delved into emerging trends and untapped opportunities within the UK’s exhibition and trade show sector. Paul Black of VisitBritain/Meet England led a panel featuring top business event destinations, discussing the evolving role of convention bureaux in a competitive global landscape.

Moderated by broadcaster Trish Lynch, the forum also featured insights from Senthil Gopinath, chief executive of ICCA, who underscored the economic benefits of business events in the UK. Neil Brownlee, chair of PCMA and head of business events at VisitScotland, stressed the need for a policy-driven approach to maximising industry growth.

Louisa Watson, chair of beam, highlighted the value of the event and the industry’s collective efforts. She said: “Beam was delighted to have so many of its members present at the Business of Events Global Policy Forum. It was a hugely valuable event, demonstrating the importance of events in driving economic growth and policy change. We're already seeing the benefits of becoming a corporate member of the APPG, and the work beam’s vice chair David Tremmil is doing with UKEVENTS. This work demonstrates a strengthening of beam’s advocacy efforts and provides greater visibility for the UK’s business events sector within government. The collaboration across our industry is a testament to our collective strength, and beam is proud to be part of the conversation.”