The UK Events Industry Alliance (EIA) launched a new manifesto at a parliamentary reception in Westminster, London, 19 October.
The event welcomed guests from a cross-party group of MPs in addition to government and shadow ministers and many association members.
Working on behalf of the events industry associations, the Association of Event Organisers (AEO), the Association of Event Venues (AEV), and the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA), the EIA provides a secretariat and platform to work together to achieve common objectives for the good of the events industry.
The alliance aims to influence key initiatives and changes that can have a direct impact on the events sector.
The EIA manifesto aims to provide a strategic, national approach to business events spreading growth to all parts of the UK and driving international trade key to delivering a global Britain. The events industry steers £70bn (US$78.3bn) of trade into UK business and supports 180,000 businesses through trade and consumer exhibitions.
Rachel Parker, director of EIA said: “The EIA represents world-class venues, helping organisers host high profile shows across key business sectors serviced by accredited suppliers. We aim to be the voice of the events industry – representing business events.”
The manifesto works to ensure the interests of UK business events are effectively represented, understood and communicated to government across the five pillars of maintaining recovery, growth, becoming the world’s meeting place, sustainability and developing skills and talent.
Shaun Hinds (pictured right), CEO of Manchester Central, and newly appointed AEV chair and EIA chair, said at the Westminster event: “The EIA serves as the quintessential industry forum and working group representing the cornerstones critical to all events; the organiser, the venue and the supply chain providing goods and services to the sector.”
Hinds added: “While it’s always been a valuable alliance for the industry, in these times of post-pandemic economic uncertainty and geo-political challenges, the ability for the industry to convene, confer and communicate as a unified sector is imperative as we seek to grow and have an even greater impact on the UK’s social and economic landscape.”
