The Business of Events has published a series of
recommendations to boost the UK economy through events.
As the UK General Election approaches its final stages, The
Business of Events (TBOE) has published its Policy Agenda, featuring seven
critical recommendations aimed at enhancing the UK's economy and promoting
advancements in knowledge exchange through events. This comprehensive agenda is
designed to inform and influence the incoming administration and policymakers
about the vast opportunities within the UK’s event ecosystem.
Following an extensive UK-wide policy consultation conducted
in 2023, TBOE have highlighted eight specific policy initiatives that hold the
potential to unlock significant growth within the UK events economy, paving the
way for a more robust and prosperous sector.
The events industry is a crucial driver of economic growth,
innovation, and international collaboration. To harness its full potential,
TBOE advocate for targeted government policies that bolster and advance the
sector.
Key Policy Initiatives:
1. Updating SIC Codes: Ensuring accurate representation and
targeted support for the events industry.
2. Easier Visa Schemes: Facilitating international
collaboration post-Brexit for both inbound and outbound events.
3. Event Tax Credit Scheme: Attracting new events and
supporting existing ones through financial incentives.
4. Attracting International Events: Providing more support
to position the UK as a top destination for global events.
5. Practical Support for Competitiveness: Using events as a
catalyst for growth across various sectors.
6. Investment in Convention Bureaux: Empowering national and
regional bureaus to drive economic development.
7. Leveraging Events for Policy Objectives: Using business
events as platforms to deliver and promote government policies.
Martin Fullard, director, The Business of Events, emphasised
the collaborative effort behind the agenda: "Before Parliament was
dissolved, we were working with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events on
stress testing policy concepts. We hosted several events, including our
flagship policy forum, where these subjects were explored and discussed.
Everything here is broadly agreed upon as being essential for unlocking the
industry's potential.
“This agenda will be presented to the All-Party
Parliamentary Group for Events when it is reformed after the election and
shared with Ministers and officials in various Departments and will form the
basis of the scope of work for the next Parliament. These are recommendations we
strongly believe the new government should explore and implement."
Though the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events, TBOE
will be urging the new UK Government to adopt these policy initiatives to
ensure the continued growth and success of the business events industry.
Download the policy agenda here.
