The UK's The Business of Events has announced an expanded programme for 2019, including its first international event and a new venue for its flagship Senior Leadership Forum.
The Business of Events Global Policy & Practice Forum, created in partnership with IBTM, The Barcelona Convention Bureau and PCMA, will take place on the 18 November 2019, ahead of IBTM World, at the newly opened Hotel Seventy in Barcelona. The forum will focus on the global medical and healthcare sector and be attended by a number of leading Destinations and Convention Bureaus, alongside their Policy and Enterprise counterparts.
The Senior Leadership Forum, after two years at The QEII Centre, will this year be held at the Mermaid London on 6 November, and focus on discussing the opportunities surrounding the governments recently announced Tourism Sector Deal and Business Events Action Plan.
Michael Hirst OBE, chair of the Events Industry Board said: “The Business of Events series provides the perfect platform for senior leaders to discuss the shape of the meetings and events industry. This is an excellent opportunity for us all to start talking about the new Tourism Sector Deal and the International Business Events Action Plan and what it means for the sector. It is a truly exciting time for the UK meetings and events industry.”
This year’s London series will also include another Parliamentary Debate, held in Parliament at Portcullis House, and staged in association with the All Party Parliamentary Group for Events. An invitation-only Senior Leadership Dinner will follow the Parliamentary Debate, and be attended by Rebecca Pow, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Arts, Heritage and Tourism.
Additional forums will be held in Wales, at the newly opened ICC Wales in Newport, on 12 November, and in Scotland, at the National Museum of Scotland, on 26 November.
Neil Brownlee, head of business events at VisitScotland, said: “At this very important moment, with our new vision of business events making Scotland a better place for everyone, it is fitting that the first Business of Events Forum for Scotland will be held in a contemporary space at the historic National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. We look forward to welcoming our senior leaders from across the business events community and to discussing how, together, we continue to have a vibrant and successful business events sector that delivers for Scotland.”
The Business of Events is a not for profit series of independent cross sector events designed to engage, support and promote the UK events industry.
