UKEVENTS hosted a special exhibition in Parliament to highlight the vital contribution of the UK events industry to the national economy, 3-6 February. Over four days, UKEVENTS representatives engaged with MPs and Lords, emphasising the £61.6 billion value of the sector and its pivotal role in supporting local economies, driving business tourism, and creating jobs across the country.
With over 700,000 people employed in the sector, the UK events industry plays a crucial role in economic growth. The exhibition provided a unique opportunity for policymakers to connect with event industry leaders and gain a deeper understanding of the sector’s value and its potential for future expansion.
Throughout the exhibition, parliamentarians showed great interest in how the events industry directly impacts their constituencies. Many were unaware of the sector’s challenges, such as trade friction, complex visa regulations, and a lack of recognition for business events, but were eager to explore how the government could support the industry’s growth.
A vision for growth
UKEVENTS highlighted several key priorities for the sector, including:
- Developing a national events strategy to unlock further economic growth and ensure the UK remains a global leader in events.
- Integration of major business and outdoor events with key governmental industrial and social initiatives.
- Expansion of the VisitBritain Business Events Growth Programme.
The event also showcased the diversity and depth of the UK events sector, from business conferences and exhibitions to live entertainment and cultural events, and their role in facilitating growth within the visitor economy, propelling trade, exports and inward investment, while also fostering scientific inquiry, innovation and technological advancement. MPs and Lords recognised the industry’s unique ability to amplify government priorities, from boosting international trade to revitalising local economies. As a result, strengthening collaboration with the government to position the UK events industry as a strategic partner for economic and community development will be key.
Next steps
The response from parliamentarians was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their support for ongoing collaboration and future roundtable discussions with UKEVENTS and its partners.
Glenn Bowdin, Chair, UKEVENTS, said: “The UK events industry is incredibly diverse, with a rich ecosystem that encompasses everything from live experiences to business conferences and the extensive supply chain that supports them. This breadth and depth not only fuel the industry’s £61.6 billion contribution to the UK economy but also help drive growth in sectors such as tourism, hospitality, and creative industries.
“What became clear is that many MPs were largely unaware of the full scale of our industry’s impact. This exhibition was a valuable opportunity to present that message directly. The next step is to build on this momentum, following up with policymakers to create an environment where government proactively uses our industry to achieve its policy objectives while unlocking even greater opportunities for growth.
“I would like to extend my personal thanks to Jack Rankin, MP for Windsor and Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events for sponsoring our event which granted us such a unique opportunity. My sincere thanks to the multitude of MPs, Ladies, and Lords who came by to see us.”
Michael Hirst OBE, UKEVENTS said, “It was rather like working a trade show stand, catching parliamentarians on the run to other meetings. You had to adopt all sorts of comments to attract their attention. I convinced Aphra Brandreth, Conservative MP for Chester South (daughter of the broadcaster Giles Brandreth), to stop by telling her—after some sleuthful research—that we were both born at Middlesex Hospital, albeit 35 years apart!
“In most circumstances, we had less than 10 seconds to catch their attention, so we used the ‘elevator pitch,’ highlighting the £61.6 billion industry value, its growth potential, and the breadth of activities our industry covers.”
Shonali Devereaux, Chief Executive, MIA added, “The exhibition was a great way to shine a light on our industry, but it’s disheartening that we’re still fighting for the recognition we deserve given that events contribute £61 billion to the UK economy.
“We were encouraged by how open MPs were to hearing our concerns, but they can only act on issues raised by their constituents. We’ll be encouraging our members to invite their local MPs to events. As a white-label industry, attending events is a great chance for MPs to see first-hand the economic and social impact of our sector.”
UKEVENTS will follow up with policymakers in the coming months, encouraging MPs to visit events, creative event agencies, and event production businesses in their constituencies to witness first-hand the industry’s impact on their local communities and economies.