CEO’s Report

NOEA has never been stretched as it was this year. I would like to thank our members, our council, our Future Sponsors and everyone else connected with NOEA for supporting us in getting the right messages, to the right people, as quickly as possible special thanks to Al Turner from 8PR who has supported and gone beyond his remit and is part of the NOEA team. And thank you the members for staying with us. We have of course lost members but really appreciate those of you who have stuck with us in these hard times. I have heard so many sad sad stories of members who have for many many years worked in this industry and are now coming out of this industry and we will be the poorer for losing their skills.

We have regular dialogue with government; across departments DCMS and BEIS.

We are part of industry wide lobbying groups; EIF, and I sit as a director for the Purple guide other groups EIB, BVEP etc.

I sit on the DCMS Events & Entertainment Task Force which was an interesting journey into the way DCMS views our industry and the announcements.

EIF Guidance – push to get events gong in some way and many contributed to the guidance which isn’t perfect at all but it allowed outdoor events to open in July without a number cap. Since then it had been other issues that have thwarted events opening or continuing. We all know about the Sothnapton boat show and it was NOEA that put forward Philp Day to give legal advice for this to EIF which then went to a barrister. The results were shared with members.

I also sit on Outdoor Events and Festivals Sub group – where additional guidance has been developed. This is now expanding and getting into more granular detail as we look not various areas to see how events can work. However large mass events are the ones that Govnmentt and PHE are very much against as super spreaders so very difficult . Some measures can be in place but individuals may need to be doing their own risk assessments. We have been instrumental in the re-creation of the APPG by getting James Heappey involved who suggested and approached Teressa Villiers who was approached and has agreed to be Chair.

We have been regularly asked – and provided – statistics and details of the damage our industry has endured and provided examples of it many surveys and requests have been sent out and I thank everyone for replying and engaging with me.

We have supported proactive and intelligent campaigns and lobbying with ~ WemakeEvents ~ and One Industry One Voice

But, we have to be honest.

The communication has been just that, communication.

We have been frustrated by the lack of response or limited action. We have been listened to and ignored. Action has been slow, ineffectual and misguided Still trying to get DCMS to understand the industry .Where as pubs can open quickly the events industry cannot and needs a longer lead in time and is time critical. Very aware that the Culture Fund some members have had grants but many more did not and the supply chain was meant to be specifically included and was not. We are doing research on the grants and will be going back with questions.

Also have asked DCMS and the treasury for a fund equivalent to the Culture fund for the events sector.

The immediate challenge is insurance and Public Health Directors. Working with EIF and DCMS to get an understanding to Public Health Directors in LAs on how events work and that is now the challenge.

Its only in the heat of battle when you realise how far the industry has to go in its relationship and understanding by government.