NOEA Signs BVEP Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Everyone may want to look back on 2020 as a year to forget. It is however, also one to remember; a year where collaboration created strength and resilience. NOEA is a great example of how outdoor event businesses and people came together to do their part in fighting the pandemic. NOEA also demonstrated their part in the wider UK events community, taking an active part in their membership of the Business Visits & Events Partnership (BVEP). BVEP is the umbrella organisation representing leading trade and professional organisations, government agencies and other significant influencers in the business visits and events sector. BVEP’s vision is to support sustainable growth for the United Kingdom’s Events Industry.

As well as safeguarding the industry and fighting to establish guidance and support through these difficult times, NOEA have been instrumental in a number of initiatives that will support building back responsibly when we are able to.

BVEP established a Skills & Talent Working Group in 2020 that aims to foster the development and professionalisation of those working in events. One of the first activities undertaken was to begin the co-ordination of diversity and inclusion policies and practices that promote equity in the events industry. The pandemic and action by groups such as Black Lives Matter, have highlighted that inequalities are exacerbated during such challenging times.

A number of workshops were held to better understand diversity, the challenges prevalent in events and the actions that needed to be taken. Contributions from NOEA representatives and members, Susan Tanner (NOEA CEO), Yasmin Galletti di Cadilhac (The Fair) and Judy Bec (Without Exception), were invaluable in this process. One of the first actions agreed upon was to create an industry-wide Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. NOEA, as a BVEP partner, has signed the following Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Commitment: BVEP commits to advancing access, diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing of all people, as priorities in supporting sustainable growth across the UK Events Industry.

DEI Vision: an events industry where every person feels welcomed, empowered, advanced and valued.

DEI Aim: to drive for change within the UK events industry to ensure that human differences are valued and recognised.

Our Values: Accessibility | Diversity | Equity | Inclusion | Justice | Wellbeing

Upholding the Principles: Accountability | Allyship | Authenticity | Empowerment Integrity | Opportunity | Responsibility

This shared Commitment will only be realised by celebrating achievements and taking appropriate action to ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion. This will be steered by the BVEP DEI Task Force which will come together to share insights and propose collective interventions in 2021. NOEA will be playing their part in this and encourages members to share understandings and activities that help to achieve the DEI aim and vision.

NOEA has already highlighted important initiatives such as including Welfare in The Purple Guide, Tiger Tea Kids and Safe Gigs for Women. NOEA has also created the Respect Charter, which does not tolerate harassment of any kind. It is imperative that these are embraced and built upon as outdoor events emerge from the challenges of the pandemic. As #WeCreateExperiences and #WeCreateEvents, we need to do so safely and equitably, we need to #buildbackresponsibly.

Dr Caroline Jackson, BVEP Vice Chair and Skills & Talent Working Group Chair

NOEA has been a member for some years and the Partnership recognise the importance of the event industry alongside tourism, conferences and exhibitions. BVEP have been influential in opening doors for us to government departments in a supportive role and working behind the scenes for the benefit of the Events Industry in general. For further information, please contact: SIMON HUGHES – Chairman – simon@mchassociates.co.uk. W: www.businesstourismpartnership.com or GAËLLE CONNOLLY – BVEP. T: 01670 516 652 M: 07786 064013 E: gaelle.connolly@businessvisitsandeventspartnership.com W: www.businessvisitsandeventspartnership.com