Crowdfunding opens for One Industry, One Voice campaign

A crowdfunding drive has launched for smaller events businesses, sole traders and freelancers who may now contribute to the wider One Industry, One Voice awareness campaign.

The industry-wide awareness campaign has already raised £32,000 from mid- and large-size events businesses.

Businesses employing fewer than 50 people and annual turnover below £10m may pledge £250, while larger organisations can contribute £500. Those wishing to contribute should follow this link. Sole traders, freelancers, and small companies are free contribute what they can afford.

The campaign is being driven by a newly-formed action group, led by the Business Visits and Events Partnership (BVEP), and has now met online twice to discuss, stress test, and factor in key messages and craft the PR brief, which will soon be put out to tender.

The next phase is to divide the group into smaller committees tasked with driving different areas, including arranging the PR brief to go out to tender and sourcing, managing the activation and communications, and the collection of the pledged funds.

If you have already pledged financial support, once of the group members below will be in touch shortly.

The Action Group is chaired by Simon Hughes, chair of the BVEP, and is joined by the following:

• Rick Stainton, Smyle • Chetan Shah, Micebook • Mike Kuneim, Jack Morton • Tim Collett, WRG, The Creative Engagement Group • Sarah Haywood, Sarah Haywood Events • Greg Lawson, Smart • Charlotte Gentry, Pure Communications Group • Steve Squires, GetConnekted • Judy Elvey, MPI UK&I • Martin Fullard, Mash Media • Anita Howard, ICE • Claire Wormsley, The Media House • Carmen Searle, Association of Event Organisers (AEO) • Andy Lenthall, Production Services Association (PSA) • Will Mould, XYZ • Jeremy Rees, ExCeL London • Michael Wyrley-Birch, TRO • Nick Morgan, We Are The Fair • Simon Tracey, Vibration Group • Dale Parmenter, DRPG • Justin Hammond, Maestra Group

The aim of the One Industry, One Voice campaign, which will support the movement #WeCreateExperiences, is to raise awareness among the general public and national media about the true value of the industry to daily life, the wider economy, and to reassure both the public and corporations that events are safe as standard come 1 October, when larger events will be able to run again in England.

The money raised so far will fund a professionally-led PR campaign, which the action group will put out to tender once the details of the brief and message are finalised by mid-August.

Below is a list of events businesses that have pledged financial support to the campaign:

TRO Crewsaders Hire Space Vibration Group Ice Hub Major Events International ExCeL London Pure Comms VenueLab Peopleactivation Smyle Tobacco Dock London Wolf&White Yellow Fish Realise Strata Steel Deck DRPG Sleek Events On Productions PSP AV All Bright Noble Events Performing Artistes Sarah Haywood Events AT Comms Andrew Winterburn XYZ Smart Group Touch Associates GPJ Owl Live Jack Morton Worldspan Top Banana WRG emc3 CI Group Getconnekted Sense London Red E2 Seven Events PAEM IN2Global Cheerful21st Delegate Wranglers Event Connections Goose Live the editevents Activate Events Nteractive Set Creative ABPCO JT Production Services IMEX London & Partners Big Venue Book RPM Stagestruck Lime Blue Solutions Broadsword Group Young Guns Amplify Mash Media Michael Hirst c2events First mia NJ Live Micebook Olympia London Marketing Advantage SEC Rodeo Crew Richard Waddington Southbank Centre MGN Events Science Museum BDC The Media House JT Event Truck Event Safety Plan Brandfuel BCD TTA IvoryWorldwide Unique venues of London Brands at Work Fairmont Savoy Speakers Corner Global Hotels Alliance Maestra Group AEO Orange Door CWT Meetings & Events

Written By

Paul Harvey

M&IT editor Paul Harvey is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience. He began his career in the local press, working for various titles across the north. Since joining M&IT in 2013, he has become a trusted and respected voice in the sector, championing event professionals and reporting on all aspects of the events industry for the brand.