UKEVENTS offers a cautious welcome to the Government’s Spending Review, recognising several encouraging developments, particularly for sport and regional growth. However, significant opportunities for the wider events sector remain overlooked.
Key points from our 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.
Our main ask:
We strongly encourage the DCMS to significantly increase funding to the VisitBritain Business Events Growth Programme, which currently delivers an outstanding return of £33 for every £1 invested.
Glenn Bowdin, Chair calls for the Government to work with UKEVENTS to forming a National Events Strategy. He 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.”
