Chair of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group for Events, Nick de Bois, MP, told an opening session at IMEX Frankfurt that the meetings and events sector was “finally being given the political consideration it deserves”.
He said the industry must “learn to speak with one voice” and recognise its contribution to the growth agenda.
De Bois told the audience the international meetings industry represented skills sets in the supply chain that reflected almost all key industry sector.
“The success of the meetings and events industry was not only a barometer of economic development, but a catalyst for growth,” he said.
He gave the example of San Diego being a destination that had tapped successfully into the biotechnology sector to win meetings and events. “The temporary thus supports the permanent,” said de Bois, expanding on how backing events in new technologies and growth sectors could help grow the economy.
He also warned the industry not to expect government financial support or hand outs in the current economic climate.
Rather, he said, “the government should free us to use our talent and ease the burden”.
He did accept, however, that subvention was needed in some form by most countries’ meetings industries as a tool to win business.
Nick de Bois is also speaking also at the Politicians Forum held within the IMEX trade show.
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