LOOKED OVER

While business meetings and events are showing strong signs of recovery from the pandemic and its aftershock, many would have been disappointed to see a lack of direct support for the sector in the Spring budget. Three years on from the catalyst for many modern sector challenges, we’re now seeing the government shift its agenda away from economic stability and instead back towards investment and growth.

It is frustrating to see creative and cultural sectors receiving tax breaks while energyintensive service industries such as ours are neglected from specific support once again. As a sector that has heavily burrowed into its financial reserves in recent years, incentives such as full capital expensing on investment into IT, plant and machinery are largely redundant. Instead, business meetings and events needed financial relief to mitigate its need to raise prices and deter demand, such as the extension and adaption of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme. looking to attract young talent

This lack of sector-specific recognition has been an ongoing challenge in recent years, and despite making huge strides in the development of our government relations we are working hard to establish our network of influence at government level to amplify our voice even further.

• Newlands Bishop Farm, a work and education charity, that also gives those with learning disabilities an entry level work experience in a farming environment, but where the venue is also looking to give advanced level employment opportunities

The Business Of Events Announce New Council

The Business of Events have announced new members for its Advisory Council. The Advisory Council is in place to suggest insights and recommendations on topics which affect the events industry. Anything from trends and innovations, to recurring challenges and faults could be the subject of the council’s quarterly meetings.

The council has been initially made up of 13 members, but Martin Fullard, Director, News and Content at The Business of Events has said: “We will invite new members to join the Advisory Council when appropriate to cover certain knowledge or experience gaps, for which we will be guided by the evidence attained in the consultation. We encourage active engagement from the wider industry.”

As well as utilising our strong relationship with the Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport, we’re working hard to put business meetings and events on the agenda of new Tourism Minister Julia Lopez. We’ll also be working with our members to share the story of the sector on a local level, reaching local MPs to ensure our sector is recognised.

To keep up-to-date on any developments, guidance and advice, follow the Meetings Industry Associations on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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