BVEP urges ministers to do more to support business events

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Fresh from a grilling by chief executives on a variety of investment topics at the Lancaster Gate Business Summit, David Cameron has been sent a letter from the Business Visits and Events Partnership (BVEP) calling upon the Prime Minister and other Government ministers to do more to help attract international business events and world conferences to Britain.

His team was also urged to support the use of meetings, conferences and exhibitions to promote research and scientific development, trade and exports.

The BVEP, which claims to represent leading players in the business events sector, said there would be a £500m boost to business events from the London Olympics and Paralympic Games, due to an additional 20 per cent in expenditure derived from business and incentive groups visiting the Games, holding meetings and special events and extending their stay around Britain.

BVEP also quoted research that reveals that 20 per cent of existing conference and exhibition venues are being upgraded or extended with £1bn being spent on improvements.

BVEP Chairman Michael Hirst said: “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 added.

The letter also drew attention to the inclusion of the events sector in the Government’s GREAT promotion and the current Britain For Events campaign, which highlights the economic and social benefits of holding events in local destinations.

The BVEP 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 5 September.

Do you have news for CN? Email: pcolston@mashmedia.net

27 July 12

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