The UK government is set to receive new recommendations on the future of business events, following a recent select committee inquiry into the major events sector.
The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee examined how the sector can be strengthened, and how government can support growth and collaboration, during an evidence session held in Parliament on 9 December 2025.
The inquiry was chaired by Dame Caroline Dineage DBE MP and brought together a cross-party group of MPs with responsibility for culture, trade and the visitor economy.
Senior industry figures gave evidence on behalf of the business events sector. These included: Rachel Parker, director at Events Industry Alliance, Faye Dyer, chief executive at ACC Liverpool and Robert Wright founder and CEO of The Business of Events.
Together, they set out the economic and strategic role of business event and explained to the committee how the sector supports UK trade and inward investment, helps build long-term business relationship and underpins innovation and international reputation.
The witnesses also outlined structural challenges facing the sector, particularly as international competition increases, while the UK lacks a clear, long-term government roadmap for business events.
During the session, the panel put forward a series of recommendations for consideration, focused on policy clarity, cross-government coordination and international competitiveness.
One proposal was the creation of a dedicated Business Events 2030 Roadmap, setting out long-term priorities and clear commitments from government and public bodies. They also called for continued investment in VisitBritain’s Business Events Growth Programme, alongside ongoing international promotion of England under the MeetEngland brand.
Another recommendation was the formation of a cross-government working group, involving departments including DCMS, DBT, Health, Transport, DWP and Defence, aligned with the government’s wider industrial strategy.
The panel also urged stronger ministerial and senior official presence at major international trade shows and business events linked to priority growth sectors. They also asked for formal recognition of business events within the UK’s industrial strategy, supported by coordinated international promotion of the sector.
A separate strategic channel for business events was also proposed, reflecting its distinct ecosystem, delivery model and funding requirements.
Suggested measures included visa simplification and mutual recognition agreements to reduce barriers for international delegates and organisers. The witnesses also recommended consistent frameworks to measure value across cultural, sporting and business events, while recognising that each sector delivers different outcomes and metrics.
Export promotion formed another strand of the evidence, with calls for stronger support for UK organisers bidding for events overseas and for the international promotion of UK event delivery expertise.
The panel also highlighted the role of business events in UK soft power, positioning them as platforms for relationship-building and thought leadership within trade and international strategy.
They further proposed a government-led promotional campaign aimed at attracting more international business events to the UK.
The committee will now consider the evidence and submit its recommendations to government in a dedicated parliamentary report. The initial report is expected in spring 2026.