The UK's All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Events – re-formed following the recent General Election – is inviting private sector businesses to join as non-voting members.
UK-based organisations are invited to become members for £1,500 (+VAT) by nominating a senior representative. The new provision offers the opportunity to engage directly with MPs and influence policy decisions.
The first meeting of the new Parliament’s APPG will take place on 5 November at Portcullis House in Westminster, with members from both sides of the House encouraged to attend. It will be chaired by Shaun Davies (pictured), MP for Telford (Labour) and includes:
- Jack Rankin, MP for Windsor (Conservative)
- Barry Gardiner, MP for Brent West (Labour)
- Jessica Morden, MP for Newport East (Labour)
- Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside (Labour)
- Martin Rhodes, MP for Glasgow North (Labour)
- Rachel Taylor, MP for North Warwickshire & Bedworth (Labour)
- Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate & Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat)
Chair-elect Davies (pictured) said: “I am very pleased to put my name forward as chair of the newly reconstituted All Party Parliamentary Group for Events, ahead of the formal election on 5 November. The UK events industry is a world leader, and the event economy delivers significant benefits for our country, creating jobs, exports and inward investment. It also offers major growth opportunities, which I know is a key priority for our new Government. My constituency is home to a major venue in the Telford International Centre, so I appreciate the cultural and economic value that events can provide to communities like Telford.
The APPG will focus on the key areas outlined in The Business of Events’ Policy Agenda, which includes:
- Updating SIC Codes: Advocating for accurate representation and tailored support for the events sector.
- Easier Visa Schemes: Supporting international collaboration post-Brexit for both inbound and outbound events.
- Event Tax Credit Scheme: Offering financial incentives to attract new events and support existing ones.
- Attracting International Events: Positioning the UK as a top destination for global business events.
- Practical Support for Competitiveness: Using events as a catalyst for sector-wide growth.
- Investment in Convention Bureaux: Supporting regional and national convention bureaux to drive economic development.
- Leveraging Events for Policy Objectives: Using business events as platforms to promote and deliver government policies.
The Business of Events, through its advocacy network, will act as the official secretariat for the APPG for Events. A full prospectus can be downloaded on the APPG for Events website.
