The UK's Event Industry Alliance has written to the prime minister and chancellor of the exchequer requesting a firm date for the reopening of business events.
The EIA comprises the Association of Event Organisers, Association of Event Venues, and the Event Services and Suppliers Association.
The letter says that the recent G7 Summit, which was managed and organised by creative agency Identity, proved that business events could be run safely. The letter calls for the events industry to be considered for full reopening in the government review on 5 July after noting the successful delivery of the Event Research Programme.
“We fully appreciate the delicate balance of protecting public health with the urgent need to re-open business sectors and support the principles of the roadmap to recovery,” the Alliance's letter read. “However, the delay to Step 4 [of reopening] was a hammer blow for the events sector. Event organisations have been forced into further postponement, or worse, cancellation, resulting in even greater pressure to survive. Due to the cyclical nature of events calendars, several organisers will not have delivered their core product for four years.”
The EIA went on to remind the Government that other countries have made far greater efforts to protect their domestic events industries during the pandemic.
“Our international competitors have supported their business events sectors in numerous ways; financially by supporting both businesses and customers with grants, strategically by identifying business events as organised gatherings, and exempting business travellers from general travel, restrictions and politically with measures to build customer confidence including government backed insurance and strong advocacy from officials,” the letter read. “If we don’t act now, we will face irreparable damage to our reputation as a world-class events destination and our ability to compete on a global scale will be severely impacted.
“For these reasons, we respectfully ask that in your review on 5 July, you are able to provide a firm go date for the events sector.”
The letter in full
