CONTENTS 3 Foreword 6 Executive Summary 8 Chapter 1 Overview of the UK’s Events Industry The UK Events Report 2020 1.1. Introduction 16 1.2. The Value and Benefits of Events 17 1.3. Business Visits to the UK by Event 20 1.4. Delegate Spend and Trip Extensions 20 1.5. Impacts of Major Events on Hotel Performance 22 1.6. Global Economic Significance of Business Events 22 1.7. Value of Knowledge Transfer 23 1.8. Event Impacts and Legacies 26 1.9. Emerging and Future Trends in Events 28 Chapter 2 The Composition of the Events Industry 2.1. Introduction 33 2.2. Conferences and Meetings 33 2.3. Exhibitions and Trade Fairs 48 2.4. Incentive Travel and Performance Improvement 58 2.5. Corporate Hospitality and Corporate Events 63 2.6. Outdoor Events 64 2.7. Music Events and Festivals 70 2.8. Sporting Events 73 2.9. Business Travel 78 Chapter 3 The Global Competitive Landscape 3.1. Introduction 84 3.2. The Nature of Global Competition 85 3.3. UIA and ICCA Country and City Rankings 2018 86 3.4. The Global Exhibitions Marketplace 90 3.5. Travel and Tourism Competitiveness 91 Chapter 4 How Events Deliver on the UK’s Industrial Strategy 4.1. Introduction 94 4.2. The Government’s Industrial Strategy: the 5 Foundations 94 4.3. Tourism Sector Deal 97 4.4. The UK Government’s Business Visits and Events Strategy 98 4.5. The UK Government’s International Business Events Action 98 Plan – 2019-2025 4 CONTENTS Chapter 5 Ideas 5.1. Introduction 105 5.2. The Creative Industries 105 The UK Events Report 2020 5.3. Creative Event Agencies 107 5.4. Technology and Digital Developments in UK Destinations 111 5.5. Event Technology 112 Chapter 6 People 6.1. Introduction 117 6.2. National Picture 118 6.3. Event Workforce 122 6.4. Learning and Development 126 6.5. Current and Future Challenges 133 6.6. Conclusions 134 Chapter 7 Infrastructure, Accessibility, Sustainability 7.1. Introduction 139 7.2. Infrastructure 139 7.3. Potential Infrastructure Weaknesses 144 7.4 Event Accessibility and Inclusivity 144 7.5. Sustainability in Events 146 Chapter 8 Business Environment 8.1. Introduction 156 8.2. Opportunities for Global Growth in Britain’s Events Sector 157 8.3. EIB Paper on Competitiveness 158 8.4. BVEP 2016 Research into Subvention Funding 160 8.5. DCMS Research into Subvention Funding for International 161 Business Events 8.6. VisitBritain’s Business Events Growth Programme 163 8.7. A Global Era of GREAT Business Events across Britain and 165 Northern Ireland CONTENTS 5 Chapter 9 Places 9.1. Introduction 169 9.2. United Kingdom – VisitBritain 169 9.3. England – VisitEngland 170 The UK Events Report 2020 9.4. Northern Ireland 171 9.5. Scotland 172 9.6. Wales 174 9.7. Destination Marketing Organisations (DMOs) 176 9.8. Core Cities 179 9.9. Destination Marketing Organisation Funding and Visitor 180 Taxation Chapter 10 Business Visits & Events Partnership and the Events Industry Board 10.1. Introduction 187 10.2. Business Visits & Events Partnership 187 10.3. Events Industry Board 188 10.4. All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events 189 This report has been compiled by Tony Rogers Conference & Event Services (www.tony-rogers.com) on behalf of the Business Visits & Events Partnership, with support from BVEP Research Group lead, John Gallery of Great Potential Business Tourism Specialists (www.greatpotential.co.uk). It includes contributions from many BVEP partners and from organisations across the events sector. Design and layout by Alistair Bell, Gekko Creative Limited (www.gekkocreative.co.uk). 6 FOREWORD A Big Role for Britain’s Events Industry The UK Events Report 2020 Michael Hirst, OBE - Chairman, Business Visits and Events Partnership The preparation of this report, of the enormous success of the 2012 major international business and which chronicles the enormous Olympic Games held in London. governmental events. Already the scope and potential of the UK’s The boost that was given to Britain’s country has been home to major Events Industry, was started a position in the world as a leading industrial, political, commercial, year ago, but what now seems destination for hosting global medical, scientific, educational like a lifetime! events and its ability to organise conferences and trade fairs as well as and market significant cultural, leading edge motivational, cultural, and 2019 was a landmark year for sporting and business occasions, with sporting, music events and festivals. the Industry reporting direct professionalism, creativity and flair, spend of £70 billion, accounting lives on to this day. The UK possesses an unrivalled for over 50% of spend in the UK network of high quality and richly visitor economy, providing over Now, in 2020, the UK confronts not varied purpose-built event venues 700,000 jobs and generating in excess of £165 billion in trade only the impact of a pandemic but and historic buildings. These facilitated at business events. also, as it leaves the European Union, provide an unequalled array of a need to realign its commercial facilities in which to hold events. The occurrence of COVID-19 in the footprint, drive UK businesses The UK’s service suppliers and first quarter of 2020 has put all of that back to their peak and forge a new event organising professionals achievement on hold as the Events position on the global stage. Yet offer comprehensive provision of Industry has gone into lockdown and again events held in the UK will the most up-to-date technology the precise timing of its re-emergence play a critical role in achieving this and equipment for staging events. as a potent economic generator is yet and projecting the UK’s place in the Their talent for first class creative to be fully understood. world and its strengths as a nation production, marketing and logistical of stature, with strong economic and organisation is envied world-wide. The compilation of information cultural traditions. in this report shows how far the There is no doubt events in the UK Industry has come in terms of This time the very essence of why embrace every part of the economy its enormous breadth, global events are critical to the national and enhance the country’s natural competitiveness, expertise and agenda will be demonstrated to assets. That’s why this report how critical it is as part of the the full. Events facilitate trade, complements the government’s government’s industrial strategy attract inward investment and drive Industrial Strategy in which events to kick-start the economy after the exports. Scientific and medical are seen as very much part of the coronavirus pandemic. This will be events disseminate knowledge and Tourism Sector Deal, improving an unparalleled opportunity to use share research. Events drive the productivity, reducing seasonality both business and leisure events to visitor economy. They showcase and filling spare capacity. showcase the country’s abilities and innovation, bringing cultural, social resources and bring communities and commercial benefits to local The government’s International together and raise the nation’s pride communities and businesses. Business Events Action Plan further in so doing. endorses the unique role events play. And nowhere better can the UK’s The UK government is committed The last “Events are GREAT” report place in the world and its impressive to helping create new events to align was published in 2014 in the wake soft power be seen than by hosting with its key industry sector priorities, 7 to using events in order to promote and social benefits created by events travellers and attendees to events. UK businesses and their products will once again come to the fore as BVEP’s mission is to support growth and services, to attracting more it demonstrates that it remains a across the entire sector via advocacy, international events and growing welcoming and open environment networking, collaboration and a already successful events. in a new political and trading collective voice. framework, within a fast-changing The UK Events Report 2020 This report follows the outlines of global environment dealing with the The report was compiled in what the government’s modern Industrial fallout from a once-in-a-generation seems another age, but it will Strategy. It explores ideas, people, pandemic. serve to provide testament to the infrastructure, business environment power of events to create change and places. The Events Industry This report is prepared by the and transform experiences, key responds to all these elements. Time Business Visits and Events requirements in facing and achieving and time again it has been said that Partnership. BVEP’s vision is to the UK’s future aspirations. So, just “events tick all the boxes” of a pre- support sustainable growth for as the UK’s Events industry had a eminent economic sector that can the UK’s Events Industry across its winning role in the 2012 Olympics, deliver major opportunities for the UK. diverse industry sectors. These cover it is poised to do so again, as the meetings, conferences, exhibitions, country re-adjusts to its economic So, having built on past and present trade shows, incentive travel, event and community challenges. It’s a big experiences, the chance for the hospitality, ceremonies, sporting role which the Industry is ready and United Kingdom to utilise the and cultural events and festivals as eager to take on and win decisively vitality, excitement and business well as other services provided to for the United Kingdom. 8 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report follows the outlines of consumer shows, sporting events, performance improvement - the government’s modern Industrial and other cultural and music events £1.2 billion*** Strategy.