VisitBritain and key government partners reaffirmed their commitment to grow Britain’s business events industry to senior leaders meeting in London 3 November.
The Business of Events Leadership Forum, led by BVEP and supported by VisitBritain, gathered the events industry great and the good at the QEII Centre to discuss future market opportunities and challenges at a meeting.
Speaking at the event, tourism minister John Glen said he wanted to cement Britain’s position as one of the leading countries in the world for hosting major business events. “With fantastic facilities across the country there is great potential for us to grow this sector further, contributing more to the visitor economy and helping sell Britain to key international markets abroad,” he noted.
Glen had already promised his personal to push the case for business tourism hard across government departments, when speaking at a reception at One Great George Street on the eve of the Business of Events Leadership Forum. He told the audience he was giving “a firm commitment that if there’s anything I can do to get my colleagues to help you win business, I will do it. I’m not just here to make up the numbers.”
At the 3 November QEII Centre event Joss Croft added: “As a significant driver of growth, the Business Visits and Events Industry clearly has a role to play in helping to ensure that the UK is recognised as the best place in which to invest, and also in helping to strengthen the culture of international trade so that more UK businesses take advantage of trade and investment opportunities. This event has been a good opportunity to build stronger relationships between government and industry to achieve these aims.”
With VisitBritain/VisitEngland stepping back up to the business events plate, chief executive Sally Balcombe told the conference that VisitBritain was committed to growing and working with the sector.
“This has been a great opportunity to engage with the leaders and stakeholders in the UK’s business events sector, to ensure we are all working together to drive this important industry forward, and keep it high on the government’s agenda.
“We all want to build Britain’s global business events brand, positioning the UK as a top destination for international meetings and events, and increase the economic benefit this industry brings to the country,” she said.
The tourism industry recently submitted a Sector Deal bid as part of the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy. Part of the submission focused on the need for a long-term, cross departmental plan for Business Events.
Caption: L-R: Simon Hughes, MC; Giles Smith, head of tourism, heritage & cultural diplomacy, DCMS; Robin Johnson, Europe Director, Visit Britain; Joss Croft, MD marketing DIT
