Understand how ICC Wales created an industry wide campaign to raise awareness of Protect Duty.
Protect Duty (also known as Martyn’s Law) was established in 2021 in honour of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims tragically killed in a terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena in 2017.
Protect Duty was a direct result of campaigning by Martyn Hett’s mother, Figen Murray OBE.
Protect Duty Report
To further support and drive forward Protect Duty, ICC Wales created a Protect Duty Report.
The report’s primary aim was to increase awareness and understanding of the Protect Duty legislation – which requires venues to take measures to ensure the safety of visitors.
ICC Wales also wanted to collaborate with the conference and meetings industry community to highlight its importance.
The solution
The first objective was to evaluate the level of understanding of Protect Duty within the conference organising community. ICC Wales issued a survey which showed that 77% of respondents had a “low knowledge” of Protect Duty.
This reinforced its commitment to make a difference and educate the community. ICC Wales’ objectives were focused on five pillars which threaded through everything it did: Education, Engagement, Endorsement, Expertise, and Evolution.
ICC Wales’ campaigning in trade media reached over 900,000 people, and a social media campaign reached 50,000 people. The venue also emailed 5,000 people with a link to the Protect Duty Report.
Following this, ICC Wales launched its campaign at London’s Somerset House before engaging with speaker sessions at international trade shows, where it also conducted trade press interviews, as well as then hosting a Protect Duty Roundtable. The instigator of the legislation, Figen Murray, supported the campaign and wrote the foreword. Industry organisations, government, and key experts in Counter Terrorism and Technology also supported the campaign.
Results
The campaign’s success was measured based on education of the community through the report and the survey results.
It showed increased awareness of the legislation, which allowed ICC Wales to create a Working Group to liaise with government to ensure that the legislation is fit for purpose with sensible timelines.
By collaborating with its stakeholders and partners, ICC Wales has created a legacy that will make venues and conferences safer, ultimately saving lives.
The UK Government has also now published its draft Terrorism Bill, which outlines the counter-terrorism activities required for events taking place at a variety of venues.
