The Events Industry Alliance (EIA) has launched its new manifesto and key policy questions at their second parliamentary event, as they look ahead to the next general election. The reception was attended by a cross-party group of MPs, including ministers and shadow cabinet members, alongside CEOs from across the business events sector.
Commissioned by the Association of Event Organizers (AEO), the Association of Event Venues (AEV) and the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA), the alliance’s primary objective is to represent the corporate events industry, which includes not only travel, tourism and hospitality, but also has a positive impact on the businesses and supply chains served by these events, both in the UK and around the world.
The manifesto aims to ensure that the interests of business events in Britain are effectively represented, understood and communicated to government through the key pillars of ‘Becoming the meeting place of the world’, ‘Growth’ and ‘Developing of skills and people’ to unlock the sector’s full potential. potential as one of the biggest engines of economic growth.
Andrew Harrison, director of EIA said: “The EIA represents a wide variety of companies, each essential to the success of the sector, and acts as a catalyst for growth by bringing together investors, innovators and customers from around the world to drive deals necessary to stimulate international and domestic trade.
Our new manifesto champions their interests and we hope policymakers will gain a better understanding of the untapped potential they can help our industry unlock.”
The EIA also published their three key policy questions: creating incentives for growth, taking measures to reduce trade friction and increasing access to markets and governments, taking a strategic view of business events, using them to advocate and raise the profile of key sectors while boosting trade. .
Marija Erzen, co-founder of Solutions 2, ESSA Chair and newly appointed EIA Chair commented: “I am so pleased that the EIA has managed to build on the success of last year’s parliamentary event and continue this momentum. use to communicate what we need to see from policy makers as a unified sector.”
Before the pandemic, the industry sent £11bn of trade to UK businesses. By 2022 the impact will be £9.4 billion, creating 99,000 jobs and 6.1 million visitors to Britain.
Erzen added: “As shown in our latest economic impact survey, we are a resilient sector and while we have not yet reached 2019 levels, we are close. That said, we need the right support and better recognition of the potential of the business events industry to further increase this resilience and enable the industry to contribute to the UK economy, nationally and globally.”
The EIA brings together organisers, venues and the supply chain that provides goods and services to the sector. This unity ensures that we can have a significant impact.”