The Business of Events is to return to the UK in 2022 after an enforced two-year break, with a new series of events, reports and activities and a refreshed brand identity.
The 2022 programme kicks off with a new event, the UK Policy Forum, which is being held in partnership with the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and VisitBritain.
The forum, which is being held on 2 November at the QEII Centre in Westminster, will see leading event destinations and venues from across the UK, connect with representatives from government departments, public sector organisations and members of Parliament. The event will focus on how to move the UK business events sector from a purely visitor economy model, to a more policy led approach that has an emphasis on using business events to achieve national, regional and local policy objectives.
Patricia Yates, VisitBritain CEO said the organisation is committed to supporting the recovery of business events and to growing this valuable sector. “We are delighted to again be partnering with The Business of Events, supporting its exciting programme of work throughout 2022,” she said.
“Working with industry partners supports us to position Britain as the top destination for business events, promote our sector expertise globally and to drive the economic and social benefits of events across the nations and regions. The upcoming conference is one of several engagements we have planned in the coming months with the English Government and industry stakeholders and partners, our cities and business sector leaders, shining the spotlight on the importance of business events across Britain.”
The second event in the series, held in partnership with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events (APPG) will be The Business of Events Parliamentary Reception & Dinner. The event, which is by invitation only, will take place in Westminster following the UK Policy Forum, and will see senior leaders from across the UK events sector join government officials and members of Parliament to discuss how to work together to create a more successful and sustainable UK events economy.
Two reports will also be published during 2022. The first, The Business of Events: Global Report on International Planner Sentiment, will be published in July, and report on research conducted into association, corporate and agency planners in the UK, Europe and the US. The report will look at buyer sentiment, post-pandemic, across twelve separate areas in each territory from research conducted in May 2022.
The final activity of 2022 will see the publication of The Business of Events: Global Destination Report. First published in 2021, the report is an annual survey of the leading global business events destinations, including NTOs and CVBs. The report, which will be available for free download, can be used to help shape future decision making and influence international governments and policy makers on the benefits of a strong business events sector to both national and local economies and society. The report is being developed in partnership with VisitScotland Business Events and is due to be published in mid-November 2022.
The Business of Events is also supported by VisitScotland Business Events, Visit England and Visit Wales, along with the Business Visits & Events Partnership and the UK Events Industry Board.
The Business of Events is a cross sector not for profit series of events and reports, designed to raise the importance and profile of business events in the UK, as an economic, policy and societal driver.
You can view and download a copy of the 2022 Programme of Activity here.
Pictured: TBOE, 2019, QEII Centre
