UKEVENTS offered a cautious welcome to this week's government spending review, and repeated its call for a national events strategy.
The industry body recognised several encouraging developments in the spending review, particularly for
sport and regional growth, and highlighted that significant opportunities for the wider
events sector remain overlooked.
It has strongly encouraged DCMS to significantly increase funding to the VisitBritain Business Events Growth Programme, which currently delivers a return of £33 for every £1 invested.
Glenn Bowdin, UKEVENTS chair, said: “While the Government has recognised the success of events, this has largely been framed through the lens of sport. Sport may be the visible tip of the iceberg, but the wider events industry, spanning culture, business, education and innovation, deserves equal strategic recognition.
“A National Events Strategy is long overdue. It’s time for the Government to cast the net wider and unlock the full potential of the UK’s event sector.”
Key points from UKEVENTS' response:
- Positive signals for sport: "Investment in major sporting events is welcome. These
events rely heavily on the expertise of professional event organisers and event
equipment suppliers."
- Conferences and meetings: "Increased funding for science and health is positive, as
these sectors account for a large proportion of the UK’s business events and
whose output is showcased at conferences and tradeshows."
- Untapped potential: "There
is broader opportunity within the events sector that is yet to be fully
recognised to grow the creative industries and visitor economy and be more
fully aligned to the forthcoming industrial strategy."
- Regional growth: "Events can play a pivotal role in delivering the Government’s levelling-up
agenda through jobs, tourism and regeneration."
- Connectivity: "Pleased to see plans
for better transport and digital infrastructure which will also support event
activity across the UK."
- Cross-sector opportunity: "Business activity and cultural programming often sit
alongside sporting events, amplifying economic and social returns."
- Creative Industries Growth Programme: "We were among the early consultees but have yet to see the
outcomes."
- Industrial Strategy: "We
await clarity from the forthcoming Industrial Strategy as to how business
events can be better aligned to the priority industrial sectors."
- Visitor Economy Growth Strategy: "UKEVENTS is actively involved in the creation of the growth
strategy, especially regarding boosting international visits and regional
tourism activity, where events should be a main driver of growth."
- DCMS collaboration: "We
are pleased that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport remains in place.
We urge closer collaboration through the creative, cultural and visitor economy
frameworks."
