The UK Economic Impact Study, a major piece of research commissioned by the MPI Foundation, on behalf of the UK meetings and events industry, has gone live.
MPI UK and Ireland Chapter President Samme Allen urges all UK meetings professionals and to take part and says the results will establish the true economic value of the sector using internationally recognised methods.
“We must all act immediately to make sure this initiative is a success,” says Allen. “The results will give us the information we need to lobby the government, make waves in boardrooms across the country and firmly place the meetings and events industry at the centre of the UK’s commercial landscape.”
“Quite simply: the more data we collect, the more credible the results – and the more credible the results, the more they will do for our industry.”
Funding partners, who have pledged $250,000 for the research, delivery and communications of the results, include IHG, Reed Travel Exhibitions, London& Partners, Confex, IMEX, The Meetings Show UK and Excel.
Leeds Metropolitan University is conducting the research. Dr Shina Li from the International Centre for Research in Events, Tourism and Hospitality at the university is leading the project.
She says: “This research is a call to action for the whole industry, a chance to come together and produce something that will be of benefit to all. We are calling on everyone involved in meetings and events to take part: organisers, venues, destination management organisations, delegates and exhibitors.”
The research aims to investigate actual spend and income as well as patterns and trends from across the UK. The results will bring this data together to produce information and statistics that are accessible to all on both a national and regional level.
To take part in the UK Economic Impact Study, go to: http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/lsif/the/surveys/mpi_eis/mpi-eis-choice.html
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