UKEVENTS has called on the Chancellor to put the events industry at the heart of the UK’s economic growth strategy, arguing that targeted government support could unlock billions of pounds in additional economic activity and create thousands of jobs.
In its recommendations submitted ahead of the autumn budget, the industry umbrella body says the UK events industry already generates £68.7 billion in annual direct consumer spending, supports more than 700,000 jobs and facilitates more than £200bn in trade, research and knowledge exchange activity.
UKEVENTS is calling for the reinstatement of the Business Events Growth Programme, a VisitBritain-led initiative which it says previously generated £35 in economic return for every £1 invested.
According to UKEVENTS, the programme generated £60.6m in direct economic benefit between 2018 and 2024 by attracting international conferences and exhibitions to the UK.
The organisation is also calling for tax incentives for new business and live events, particularly in regional destinations, alongside government-backed delivery of a National Events Strategy and a standalone Business Events Strategy.
UKEVENTS says the latter should be aligned with the Government’s Industrial Strategy and supported by a sector-led National Business Events Council.
The organisation also wants events to be more firmly embedded within the National Visitor Economy Strategy, arguing that they should play a central role in the Government’s ambition to increase international visitor numbers to 50 million annually.
It says business events can help spread visitor spending beyond traditional tourism hotspots, with conferences, exhibitions and other events generating spending across hotels, restaurants, transport providers and local suppliers.
UKEVENTS chair Glenn Bowdin said: "The UK events industry is powerful but often under-recognised. Events generate nearly £69 billion in direct spending, support more than 700,000 jobs and create the environment for trade, investment, innovation and international collaboration across every region.
"Our message to Government is clear: backing events is backing growth. With relatively modest and targeted investment, alongside practical fiscal measures, the sector can unlock billions of pounds of additional economic activity, support new jobs and help deliver the Government's ambitions for regional growth, productivity and stronger communities.
"When a major conference, exhibition or festival comes to a destination, the benefits extend far beyond the venue itself. Hotels, restaurants, transport providers and local businesses all share in that success. We urge the Chancellor to seize this opportunity and recognise events at the heart of the UK's growth strategy."
UKEVENTS also wants action to reduce the cost of doing business for the sector, including reform of business rates for event venues, a reduction in VAT on admissions for festivals, cultural and outdoor events, and measures to moderate increases in employment costs.
It is also calling for a review of visa and ETA fees, a freeze on Air Passenger Duty and the reinstatement of tax-free shopping for international visitors.
The submission comes as the Government develops its wider events and visitor economy strategies, with UKEVENTS arguing that the sector is already positioned for further growth. It forecasts industry growth of between 2 per cent and 4 per cent over the next two years.
The organisation is also seeking safeguards around the proposed overnight visitor levy in England, arguing that where a levy is introduced, revenues should be used to create, promote and market future events in the region where they are collected.
The call comes amid growing debate over the potential impact of the levy on business events, with conferences and exhibitions potentially generating hundreds of thousands of hotel room nights.
UKEVENTS says extending incentives for events and reinstating an enhanced Business Events Growth Programme could unlock billions in additional trade and consumer activity while supporting thousands of new jobs across the UK.
Its five recommendations are aimed at positioning events not simply as part of the visitor economy, but as a driver of investment, trade, regional growth and productivity.
