Think tank and advocacy network, The Business of Events (TBOE) has published its Policy Agenda as the UK General Election approaches its final stages.
The agenda includes seven recommendations to boost the UK economy and advance knowledge exchange through events.
Following a UK-wide policy consultation conducted in 2023, TBOE has highlighted the following specific policy initiatives:
- Updating SIC codes: Ensuring accurate representation and targeted support for the events industry.
- Easier Visa schemes: Facilitating international collaboration post-Brexit for both inbound and outbound events.
- Event tax credit scheme: Attracting new events and supporting existing ones through financial incentives.
- Attracting international events: Providing more support to position the UK as a top destination for global events.
- Practical support for competitiveness: Using events as a catalyst for growth across various sectors.
- Investment in convention bureaux: Empowering national and regional bureaus to drive economic development.
- Leveraging events for policy objectives: Using business events as platforms to deliver and promote government policies.
Martin Fullard, director, The Business of Events, said: “The APPG for Events has grown over the last couple of years, reaching 32 MPs members from all major parties before being dissolved along with Parliament.
“Theresa Villiers has been an excellent Chair and has spoken in the Commons on behalf of the industry on several occasions. She has been proactive in supporting TBOE and travelled to Belfast for the launch of the Northern Ireland Business Events Strategy.
“Once the election is over, we will be able to reform the group, and although we cannot send out any invitations until a new Government is in place, we have an extensive list of constituencies with large event assets within them. With this in mind, the new Policy Agenda will form the scope of work for the group, and we aim to encourage greater visibility and activity to kickstart a new era of enthusiasm for the sector.”
