Prime Minister urged to do more to support business events in Britain
As the Government embarks today on a series of high level business summits to encourage more trade and investment in Britain, the UK Events industry is calling upon the Prime Minister and other Ministers to do more to help attract international business events and world conferences to Britain, and support the use of meetings, conferences and exhibitions to promote research and scientific development, trade and exports.
In a letter to David Cameron, The Business Visits & Event Partnership, which represents the leading players in the business events sector says there is estimated to be a £500 million boost to business events from the London Olympics and Paralympic Games, as an additional 20% in expenditure is derived from business and incentive groups visiting the Games, holding meetings and special events and extending their stay around Britain.
In addition, latest research reveals that 20% of existing conference and exhibition venues are being upgraded or extended with £1 billion being spent on improvements.
Michael Hirst, Chairman of the Business Visits and Events Partnership, says, “Britain’s Events Industry will be a major beneficiary of the London Olympics. Through the creativity of the sector, conferences and trade shows in Britain can proudly present Britain’s business opportunities to the World. By stepping up their involvement in bidding for international events which relate to their Departmental responsibilities, Government Ministers can help facilitate more business events in Britain. These will help promote British goods and services and develop our expertise for medical and scientific research”.
“The Olympic Games shows just how good our event management skills are in staging international events. We must build on these strengths to help our economic recovery”, Hirst concluded.
The letter also draws attention to the inclusion of the Events Sector in the Government’s GREAT promotion and the current “Britain For Events” campaign, which promotes Britain as a world-class destination for global events and highlights the economic and social benefits of holding events in local destinations.
The Partnership plans a special briefing on the state of the UK events business and its role in the local community to Members of Parliament and municipal leaders, at the House of Commons on 5th September.