This month’s news round-up brings you some of the industry and association news from June 2024, including events industry contributing £10.9bn, party manifestos and the events sector, and more, and more.
Events industry contributes £10.9 billion to UK economy.
The business events industry helped to boost the UK economy by £10.9 billion in 2023, according to a new economic report by the Events Industry Alliance (EIA).
Marija Erzen, co-owner, Solutions 2 (UK) Ltd, ESSA and EIA chair, commented, “We are delighted with the results of our latest economic impact report. A 17% growth in the events industry between 2022 and 2023, demonstrates that, whilst other areas of the economy are struggling, the events industry is growing exponentially in a challenging economic environment and with little help from the Government.”
Erzen added, “These figures bring us just shy of our pre-pandemic levels of economic impact (£11bn) and the events industry’s strong growth really demonstrates our potential and resilience as an industry during an economically challenging year for many. We hope that these positive figures encourages the next Government to really notice and pay attention to our industry.”
Particularly promising is the increase in the number of events. The recent Size and Scale Index for Exhibitions (SASIE) report, published earlier this year, revealed over 1,000 exhibitions were held in 2023, demonstrating the industry’s resilience and innovation in the face of economic challenges.
Rachel Parker, director, AEV and EIA said, “The number of exhibitions over the last year is really promising, including both new and long standing repeat exhibitions. The dynamism of the sector to move with new trends and trades when they emerge in the economy is a particular strength and one that we hope to see more of in the future.”
Parker continued, “The positive growth in the industry feeds into other areas of the economy and helps explain the dynamic and far reaching potential of the industry, so it is not only the events industry that benefits from the growth of the sector.”
Beyond the events themselves, the 6.9 million attendees generate substantial spending in hospitality, travel and hotels. In 2023, the events industry made a significant contribution to the UK GDP, valued at £5.5 billion, and helped to support 114,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly.
Working on behalf of the events industry associations, the Association of Event Organisers (AEO), the Association of Event Venues (AEV), and the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA), the Events Industry Alliance (EIA) provides a secretariat and platform to work together to achieve common objectives for the good of the events industry.
Lime Venue Portfolio (LVP) has partnered with Stress Matters to launch a new neurodiversity toolkit.
The toolkit launched at The Meetings Show in June 2024 and is now be available to support clients and customers across the group’s 80+ venues.
In the last few years, the brand has bought new intelligence to the industry, including insight around ‘sustainability through food’, ‘event legacy and impact’, and is now looking towards accessibility, specifically Neurodiversity.
Within this toolkit, you will find practical strategies and resources to ensure that your events are accessible and enjoyable for all participants. From sensory-friendly environments to clear communication practices, each recommendation is grounded in the principles of empathy, understanding, and respect for neurodiverse perspectives.
Read more on Event Industry News.
The Meetings Industry Association (mia) has unveiled its new identity at The Meetings Show 2024.
Attendees visiting the mia pavilion (stand D51) on 19-20 June were first to experience the mia’s refreshed identity. This new branding is designed to celebrate collaboration, networking, and fostering positive relationships, reflecting the core values and objectives of the mia in supporting and bringing people together.
Kerrin MacPhie, chief executive of the mia, said this about the mia Pavilion at the Meetings Show: “The mia pavilion always provides the perfect platform for us to meet, educate and inspire visitors, but this year is even more exciting as we debut our new and yet to be revealed brand identity.”
IBTM has launched its Exceptional Experiences programme at a a pop-up event at Cannes Lions.
IBTM has introduced a new addition to its flagship IBTM World event that next takes place in Barcelona 19-21 November. The team says the programme has been developed as a direct response to the challenges faced by in-house event professionals and marketers, and intends to showcase innovative strategies to help this community create event experiences that fuel business growth.
Read more on Conference News, below.
Strata acquires Trinity Event Solutions
Strata, the award-winning brand experience agency, has acquired Trinity Event Solutions, the venue procurement and event management agency. This latest acquisition boosts Strata’s ambitious growth plans, cementing its commitment to providing clients with full-service support and delivery.
Founded in 2006 by Jacqui Kavanagh, Trinity Event Solutions is a venue finding agency with extensive experience and a strong customer base in the pharma, legal, financial and retail markets.
Strata is on a mission to strengthen and broaden its client offering, adding new divisions and businesses to the group that complement the agency’s already wide-ranging breadth of services.
The agency has always understood that the right venue choice is paramount to the successful delivery of events. Therefore, its acquisition of Trinity Event Solutions – with its deep venue insight – is both a strategic and pivotal move for the group.
The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) is celebrating a 30 per cent growth in membership
The achievement was announced at its annual general meeting, where it also named two new co-chairs, Sammy Connell and Pauline Beattie.
The appointment of Sammy Connell of The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers and Pauline Beattie of Conference Care, follow the successful tenure of outgoing chairs Emma Duffy from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, and Sarah Byrne from Mosaic Events.
Looking forward, ABPCO has laid out a plan to further enhance its value and reach within the professional conference organising community. Key initiatives can be found on Meetings and Incentive Travel.
Meeting Needs celebrates big boost in fund-raising at showcase event
Event industry foundation Meeting Needs celebrated their best fund-raising result for eight years at their annual showcase event at the Radisson Blu Bloomsbury.
Current year income has topped £150,000 for the first time since 2016, reflecting a return to growth for the industry and the foundation, said chair Chris Parnham, when he welcomed guests including original founding trustees, Peter Rand MBE and Charles Blowfield.
It was an event to connect 110 trustees, founders, donors, fund-raisers, beneficiaries and sponsors, from Axiom for providing the superb venue and hospitality to Cvent for sponsoring the Royal Parks Half Marathon team and Media Mirror, for providing video and photography on the night.
“Our aim is to channel all fundraising activity within the M+IT Industry through Meeting Needs and then award these funds to small charities, loved, championed or supported by colleagues in our industry. Anyone here can help their favourite charity to benefit from a grant. We like to help small charities, the ones who find it so hard to raise funds or awareness, and some of those wonderful charities are in the room tonight,” said Parnham.
A further £1460 was raised on the night.
What do the party manifestos do for the events sector?
The Business of Events reviews the three major parties’ manifestos – from an eventprof’s perspective.
Read it on Meetings and Incentive Travel.
Conference programme announced for the CN Sustainability Summit 2024
Now in its third year, the event will take place on Wednesday, 24 July 2024 at Chicago Booth London Conference Centre.
Conference News is delighted to confirm the conference programme for the CN Sustainability Summit 2024.
The summit aims to bring together sustainability-driven event organisers, innovative suppliers and industry experts to discuss the latest best practices and establish next steps towards a greener events sector.
The 2024 agenda features a series of keynote sessions, panel discussions, roundtables and organised one-on-one meetings, curated to equip event planners with tangible takeaways and new industry connections to support the delivery of more sustainable events.
Find out more on Conference News, including links to full agenda and how to register.
London Policy Forum postponed following announcement of UK General Election
Following the confirmation that a UK General Election will take place on 4th July 2024, The Business of Events and The Meetings Show has elected to postpone the London Policy Forum until the Autumn. It had been due to take place on the 19th June 2024.
Martin Fullard, director of The Business of Events issued the following statement: “With the UK General Election catching most commentators by surprise, we have elected to postpone the London Policy Forum.
“The Business of Events exists to facilitate dialogue between industry stakeholders and policymakers, and since Parliament is dissolved, there are restrictions on what government officials can and cannot do.”
“With a new Parliament being due to sit on 17th July, this means we will be able to enjoy a more stable autumn period and look forward to working with The Meetings Show in bringing together industry stakeholders and what will be a new-look political landscape. We look forward to announcing new details surrounding the London Policy Forum in due course.”
Jack Marczewski, Portfolio Event Director at Northstar Travel Group, said: “The Meetings Show remains committed to supporting The Business of Events with its ongoing work to raise the importance and profile of business meetings and events as an economic, policy, and community driver. We look forward to helping to facilitate its London Policy Forum when it takes place in the autumn.”
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