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Meetings manifesto for Britain

The meetings industry has finally come out fighting for its interests with an agenda for change targeted at those in the corridors of political power. CN examines the newly launched Meetings and Events Manifesto for Britain.

There have been two big UK meeting industry firsts in the last two months: the launch of the ‘first’ London ICC at Excel and also the first meetings manifesto addressed to Government.

Created by the Business Visits and Events Partnership (BVEP), and supported by Excel London, the meetings manifesto was described by BVEP chairman Michael Hirst as “one of the most significant events for our industry” and a beginning of the process of “ensuring this vital sector achieves the voice it so critically needs”.

The 12-page document sets out 10 reasons why meetings and events are important, along with nine policy areas, designed “to make Britain the natural destination choice and an international hub for all sectors of the events industry”.

The manifesto has been sent to 350 MPs, selected for the relevance of events in their constituencies. Ministers, government officials and 50 members of the House of Lords are also in receipt of the manifesto and will be invited to a presentation on the meetings industry at the House of Commons, 20 October, during National Meetings Week.

The 10 reasons given in the manifesto as to why meetings and events are of critical importance to Britain are:

1. The industry is worth close to £25bn.
2. Britain is acknowledged as a world leader, not only by events held here but the talent of our organisers to stage events overseas.
3. The sector generates employment, around 530,000 jobs directly.
4. The workforce is diverse and highly skilled.
5. Eight million international visitors buy over £100bn of goods.
6. Twenty-five thousand businesses depend upon the vibrancy of the sector.
7. New infrastructure is developed through the industry’s activities.
8. Events benefit local culture and the nation’s heritage.
9. Britain is entering a golden era of sporting festivals, including the 2012 Olympic Games, 2014 Commonwealth Games, 2015 Rugby World Cup and possibly the football World Cup in 2018, further positioning the UK as a major events destination.
10. Meetings have a positive impact on community well-being, education, social diversity and civic pride.

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