Yesterday (24 October) Rishi Sunak was confirmed as the UK’s next PM.
Sunak was automatically named PM after Penny Mordaunt, the only other running candidate at the time, withdrew herself from the race.
With a new PM, comes the opportunity for eventprofs to readdress what is most important to the future of the industry.
“Whether pro-Rishi Sunak or not, the events industry must get behind the new PM and his remit to unify the party, and most importantly, the country,” said Michael Begley, managing director of venuedirectory.com.
Energy costs
For Kerrin MacPhie, chief executive of the Meetings Industry Association (mia), the new PM must “outline his plans to address the worsening economic conditions and soaring energy costs.”
Simon Richards, treasurer of beam and managing director of Convenus, agrees with MacPhie and said: “We would like the new PM and Chancellor to continue the energy price cap.
“Costs have already risen so much that, with bounce back loans to be repaid as well, some agencies and venues cannot afford to open and may close for ever. There is a limit to how much they can increase prices without losing business and remain viable.”
From a venue perspective, Begley says they are “spending their marketing budget with a greater degree of caution than a few months ago” due to the rising energy costs.
Gabrielle Austen-Browne, founder, Diversity Alliance, also echoes Richards and MacPhie. “The economic issue is critical. Not taking heed at this time and not offering the right support would be a massive error,” she added.
Skills, talent, recruitment
In addition to the soaring energy costs, Austen-Browne says Sunak “must focus on skills and talent development to address the labour shortage we are facing as a sector.”
Industry recognition
Considering the bigger picture, beam wants Sunak to “recognise the massive contribution that the events industry makes to the economy.”
Richards suggests the PM should appoint a minister within the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to be “responsible for the events sector and for our industry to be a priority within that role; and for the minister to be in post for a sufficient duration to be able to understand and work with us to re-establish our vital contribution to the UK recovery.”
Robert Kenward, founder of EventHub.Jobs, points out that with new faces, “relationships have to be restarted.”
“For 2023 and the future, the government needs to ensure we have a voice at the table. The government needs to appreciate what we bring and help us shine a light on the industry as a place for a long term career,” he added.
MacPhie is hopeful that the new PM will soon recognise the events industry’s value. “Having been recognised in 2021 by the then Chancellor for our ongoing lobbying during the pandemic, the Meetings Industry Association are optimistic that the new PM will recognise the value our sector and the support it requires to continue its economic contributions to the UK,” she said.
“The announcement has already seen the markets give their nod of approval and if Sunak can use the same skills and teamwork that he used to help us get through the pandemic, I am confident he can get us through this next challenge,” concluded Begley.
